Missions Training

Missions Training for Everyone

Short Term Missions

Traveling to a different culture is intimidating, to say the least. The people think differently, dress differently, have different mannerisms and different opinions of hygiene. Culture is one of the exciting aspects of missions but also the most frustrating. It is the mountain you need to climb to understand how […]

Making the Connection

January 11, 2017 in Cultural Awareness / Culture Shock / Missiology / Short Term Missions / Training by Mike Thiemann

I remember when I was planing to move to Africa as a missionary I heard from a few different people something along these lines – “why don’t you just leave those people alone. They are fine with their own culture and their own way of doing things. Why do you […]

You’re Going to Change Their Culture!

December 21, 2016 in Cultural Awareness / Culture Shock / Missiology / Sending Church/Missions Organization / Short Term Missions / Training by Mike Thiemann

I think tis is a plague that follows most missionaries. And the bottom line is that it is pride. We believe that we are superior because we are from the west, we have resources, we have education, etc… We are the schoolmasters and they are are little pupils. Of course […]

The Superiority Complex

December 21, 2016 in Cultural Awareness / Culture Shock / Short Term Missions by Mike Thiemann

I have been to over 20 different countries and most of them very third world. There are a few that I remember distinctly. Haiti for example, I remember my first trip there (I’ve been there 4 times since then) the plane door opens and a rush of hot humid air slaps […]

First Impressions

December 21, 2016 in Cultural Awareness / Culture Shock / Re-entry Shock / Short Term Missions / Training by Mike Thiemann

I have interviewed way to many perspective missionaries who have next to zero training, tones of zeal and no time before they depart. This is crazy! Usually I end up as the bad guy because I put on the breaks and tell them to postpone their trip. The zero training […]

Preparation

December 21, 2016 in Sending Church/Missions Organization / Short Term Missions / The Missions Pastors Role / The Sr. Pastors Role / Training by Mike Thiemann

The phenomenon of short-term missions team has exploded in the west. Churches are sending out team in record numbers. Which is amazing! However, there are some perspectives that need to be considered for each short-term missionary, team, pastor, and the long-term missionary that will be hosting the team. First, let’s […]

The Impact of Short-Term Missions

December 17, 2016 in Short Term Missions by Mike Thiemann

“Short-term missions doesn’t change the world but it does create world changers.” We typically categorize a short-term missionary as someone who is planning on living in a particular country from anywhere between three months to two years. Short-term missionaries are a vital part of boosting a long-term work. They come […]

What is a Short-Term Missionary?

December 16, 2016 in Sending Church/Missions Organization / Short Term Missions by Mike Thiemann

I will often here this statement from people – I know I am called to missions, I just don’t know where. What should I do? First, off be encouraged because God has a plan for you He just needs to prepare you first. Here are some pointers that I will give […]

What Should I do if I Don’t Know Where I ...

December 15, 2016 in How do I know I am called? / Prayer / Short Term Missions / The Missions Pastors Role / The Sr. Pastors Role by Mike Thiemann

“Missions is the province of every Christian, not just of specialists.” – On Being a Missionary The very existence of the New Testament church is because we are suppose to be an evangelistic entity. The role of the pastor/teacher is for the “equipping of the body for the work of […]

Is Missions For Everyone?

December 8, 2016 in How do I know I am called? / Missiology / Sending Church/Missions Organization / Short Term Missions / The Missions Pastors Role / The Sr. Pastors Role / Training by Mike Thiemann

I get approached by people all the time who want to go to the mission field and my first question to them is always, “what ministries are you involved in right now?” The answer to this question will tell me a LOT. Most people will rattle off all the ministries […]

The Need for Training & Preparation

December 2, 2016 in Handling Crisis and Personal Security / Missionary Care / Sending Church/Missions Organization / Short Term Missions / The Missions Pastors Role / Training / Warfare / Ways to Help On The Field Missionaries by Mike Thiemann