open - Latest Comments in Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

Spencer J — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:57:06 -0000

I know for shure that everyday I take something God has given to me for granted. It's something that I believe we all struggle with, but we can't ever seem to get ahead of. It's also that the culture is constantly feeding us lies of superficaial things that will not satisfy our needs. Doing a mission project should be a selfless act of worship!!

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

Jonathan — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:59:55 -0000

Read jimmys post on #4 and you will see what #5 was

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

Christi D. — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:14:10 -0000

Random question....what was #5?:)

I agree with most of the comments here in one way or another. We can't blanketly say that each short term trip was for selfish gain. I also see the point of the post and how we can turn things around to make them be about "us" instead of "them". We "rough" it and think we have provided a service while sacrificing for a short time. If it stops there, then yes- that is not a good thing. If we are changed and inspired to help continue sacrificing and giving, then I think it was totally worth it. Serving others is a lifestyle- not a getaway glimpse into the lives of the poor.

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

Branden Neubig — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:30:06 -0000

What?

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

Jermayn — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 18:51:45 -0000

This is a real touchy point!
Jesus said "the poor will always be with us". Unless we teach them how not to be poor (poverty is a spirit), they will be the same in x months time.

The old saying goes something like:
"Teach them to fish instead of giving them fish"

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

K-Mad — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 17:29:05 -0000

Really? You can't find his contribution? What did you respond to then?

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

Joseph — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:17:27 -0000

Aaron, thanks for responding to my question. Your point is well made and well taken. Had you asked it as a rhetorical question I would certainly have concurred. Our motives are the primary factor in all of the guest blogs that you posted whether it be on fasting or short-term mission trips. Your question, "...what are we doing about it when we get home?" is a question I have been asking of Americans for years. Don't pay lip service to caring for the poor and the needy. It is much less hypocritical if you say that you have no interest in going (not that I support that idea) than if you decided to go because it was expected of you but your heart really wasn't in it.

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

Branden Neubig — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 13:32:33 -0000

Excellent post worth reading again and again.

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

Branden Neubig — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 12:56:57 -0000

Jordan, show me again your contribution to this discussion? I can't seem to find it.

PS: Godwin's Law, Google it.

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

aaron — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 10:32:13 -0000

Joseph thanks for the post and you ask a fair question.

Putting a “does" in front of that sentence would probably clarify. My post was following Branden in which the theme of this entire blog post is asking our motives. So in middle of the city dump handing out our hard candy do we as the givers feel a step or two higher on the on the human ladder? Do we think we are better than the "natives" and a follow up question would be if it's true compassion we are showing (which I 100% agree with you Jesus asks of us!!!) what are we doing about it when we get back home?

Thoughts?

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

Joseph — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 04:49:46 -0000

Wow! I'd say there are a few heated comments here. I certainly see the value of the post and take the essence of its meaning, though I'm inclined to agree with Branden that the post title would seem to be more inclined toward shock value than actual accuracy. Depending on who you are, you could interpret that as sensationalism.

It is however (at least in my opinion) largely true to say that many people go on mission trips and think that the biggest sacrifice is giving up their comfortable way of life to "endure hardship" for a while among the less privileged of the world. As a Nigerian who pastors in the USA, I can tell you that no matter how much hard candy you hand out to the kids, no matter how many "gently used" clothes you distribute, no matter how many pictures you take with the "natives", they still watch you get back on a plane and jet off to your completely unrelated lifestyles, probably never even remembering the names of half the people you met. They are less interested in your "gifts" as they are in whether you really see them as equal to you in the eyes of the Lord. Make no mistake about it, the indigenous people of these nations can read your hearts.

Finally, as I end my dissertation :) I want to ask Aaron to clarify his statement "Compassion lends us to believe we are better humans than the subjects of our compassion." What does this mean? Are you suggesting that the idea of compassion is misplaced, and if so why do the Scriptures continue to tell us that Jesus was moved with compassion at the plight of the lost, the poor and the hurting?

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

Jordan — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:15:36 -0000

Hey I've got a game...lets try and think of the worst people to quote in order to validate our comments. Good job Branden!! Nietzche was my number two choice...right behind Hitler.

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

aaron — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:03:40 -0000

"we" is safe.
"I" is threatning.

I totally agree it depends on each individual.

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

Branden Neubig — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:38:13 -0000

Motives can change depending on the individual. This entire post needs to replace every "we" with "I".

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

Jon Acuff — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 12:28:21 -0000

Aaron -
Thanks for checking out my site www.prodigaljohn.com. by all means, please add me to your blogroll. I will add you to mine

the guest blog is a cool idea, I have not done that on my site but I might sometime.

Jon

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

aaron — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:46:31 -0000

welcome to the conversation Clayton!
i love the long term lasting effects!
that is pure, we just can't loose that purity.

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

aaron — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:39:14 -0000

Natalie thanks for your thoughts.
It is up to every individual. Nothing is 100% pure (except God)
This post wasn't to be taken as a blanket statement...just as a personal reflection into our own lives. Some people really do serve on mission trips...others are just performing spiritual masturbation.

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

aaron — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:35:01 -0000

we live a quiet life of continual service.

not a quick trip to say we are done.

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

aaron — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:32:13 -0000

Johnny thanks for your post.
To me it's not about "what" we are doing so much as to "why" we are doing it. Masturbation is to feel good. Hopefully when we serve that is not our goal.

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

aaron — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:29:59 -0000

Scott...well put! Thanks

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

aaron — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:28:55 -0000

yea because we are missing our favorite TV shows.

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

aaron — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:27:57 -0000

Banden thanks for your reply to the reply to the reply.

Shock value or slander is not a goal.
Compassion lends us to believe we are better humans than the subjects of our compassion. I've seen more pure joy in slums of Costa Rica then ever in America. I've seen people with nothing enjoy life more. Should we as Americans go on mission trips? Yes! Should we do it because our heart is broken? Yes! "Spiritual Masturbation" when we think about it beckons us to ask the question...do we serve to simply feel good about our own lives? If that’s the case for anyone...it sickens me.

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

aaron — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:19:39 -0000

Branden thanks for your thoughts and passion. Do mission trips accomplish many positive thing...yes. My thought is that what we call "our grandest moments of self-sacrifice" simply means leaving our soft bed, warm house, clean water, while recording our favorite TV shows for later watching...while we do something to fill a void in us...we've missed the point. When was the last time we served someone, and no-one ever found out about it? To me it our motives that either make or break us.

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

aaron — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:14:26 -0000

Roland thanks for your thoughts. My prayer is that the we as individuals or e3 never do something to just feel good about. Go make disciples brother!

Re: Spiritual Masturbation Part 6. Short-term Mission Trips

aaron — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:10:35 -0000

It's a good thought that challenges why we serve others (either in our daily life or abroad) Conviction just calls use to action.
Thanks Anna!