Short-Term Learning and Service
Many pastors see the value of short-term learning tours and service teams. The benefits are significant and can be a very helpful part of the discipleship process for people who experience ministry and learning in a cross-cultural context.
BIC Canada Global highly encourages churches to engage in short-term learning tour and service teams but requires adequate process for the safety of all participants and to maintain healthy relationships with the National Church in the country that you visit. The risk that is involved in organizing a short-term learning tour or service team belongs to the local church. The role of the denomination is twofold. One, the BIC will hold a ‘Joint Ministry Agreement’ to maintain compliance with the Canada Revenue Agency for whatever country you are visiting. Two, the BIC will seek approval from the National Church leadership for the country you plan to visit.
Below is guidance on preparing for a short term learning tour or service team.
Before starting with the planning of your short term missions trip, prayerfully identify a clear purpose for going. Answer the questions who? what? where? why? how long? Determining a primary purpose for your trip right from the start focuses your planning and makes your trip more effective. You might have several goals or secondary objectives but the people signing up for the team need to know clearly what they are agreeing to. Also, in planning with the National Church it is important that we communicate with them your expectations to avoid confusion and damaged relationships.
This list of common purposes for short term trips may help you consider your purpose(s):
- Ministry – evangelism, discipleship, leadership development, street ministry, children’s ministry, women’s ministry, Bible studies, drama
- Service – painting, cleaning, electrical work, plumbing, construction, etc.
- Prayer – prayer walking, praying for emotional, physical and spiritual needs
- Cross-cultural exposure – learning first-hand about life and ministry in another part of the world, discernment of future partnership
- Compassion – caring for emotional, physical and spiritual needs in homeless shelters, hospitals, orphanages, prisons, or disaster areas (e.g. food distribution, relief work)
Approvals
CHURCH BOARD APPROVAL
At the same time, seek authorization for your trip from your local church board or another appropriate entity within your congregation (missions board). Church Board approval is a pre-requisite for consideration of a trip application.
DENOMINATIONAL APPROVAL
Every international trip that is planned through a BIC church must inform the Director of Global Programs, Todd Lester, once a trip is initially conceived. There may be important factors in considering a trip to a particular country that the denomination is aware of and would want to address with those planning the trip.
For approval please fill out a Trip Application Form.
Planning
TIMELINES FOR YOUR TRIP
To determine a length for your trip, consider the amount of time potential participants have available, and timeframes appropriate for possible ministry sites, travel, and trip purposes. For congregational short-term missions trips, a 8-14 day duration is recommended.
BIC Canada Global will work to coordinate final dates with the country’s national leadership to determine what is most suitable for all involved.
ASSEMBLING YOUR TEAM
Minors — Children under the age of 16 and not accompanied by their parent will not be allowed to travel out of Canada.
Team Size — Team size should not exceed 15 members, including the leaders.
Vaccinations — it is strongly advised that all participants visit a local Travel Clinic to determine what vaccinations are required for the place you are planning to visit. The vaccinations can be expensive so those costs should be inserted into the trip budget.
NEXT STEPS
- Once the trip application is completed and submitted, BIC Canada Global connects with National Church to determine whether the trip purpose, size, location and timing are appropriate.
- BIC Canada Global will respond to you with affirmation, request for modification, or regrets.
Resources
Below are resources available for your church to download and edit as necessary. As mentioned above the responsibility and risk of your short-term trip belongs to the local church. Please discuss the risk parameters with knowledgeable people in your church leadership as you determine what requirements you will expect of your participants (e.g., what kind of liability form will you have participants complete).
None of these forms are mandatory, they are available for your use in planning your short-term trip.