7 Standards of Excellence

The Standards

A code of best practice for short-term mission practitioners.

1 GOD-CENTEREDNESS

An excellent short-term mission seeks first God’s glory and His kingdom, and is expressed through our:

Purpose — Centering on God’s glory and His ends throughout our entire STM process
Lives — Sound biblical doctrine, persistent prayer, and godliness in our thoughts, words, and deeds
Methods — Wise, biblical, and culturally-appropriate methods which bear spiritual fruit

2 EMPOWERING PARTNERSHIPS

An excellent short-term mission establishes healthy, interdependent, ongoing relationships between sending and receiving partners, and is expressed by:

Focus — Our primary focus is on intended receptors
Plans which benefit all participants
Mutual trust and accountability

3 MUTUAL DESIGN

An excellent short-term mission collaboratively plans each specific outreach for the benefit of all participants, and is expressed by:

On-field methods and activities that align with long-term strategies of the partnership
Goer-guests’ ability to implement their part of the plan
Host receivers’ ability to implement their part of the plan

4 COMPREHENSIVE ADMINISTRATION

An excellent short-term mission exhibits integrity through reliable set-up and thorough administration for all participants, and is expressed by:

Truthfulness in promotion, finances, and reporting results
Appropriate risk management
Quality program delivery and support logistics

5 QUALIFIED LEADERSHIP

An excellent short-term mission screens, trains, and develops capable leadership for all participants, and is expressed by:

Character — Spiritually mature servant leadership
Skills — Prepared, competent, organized, and accountable leadership
Values — Empowering and equipping leadership

6 APPROPRIATE TRAINING

An excellent short-term mission prepares and equips all participants for the mutually designed outreach, and is expressed by:

Biblical, appropriate, and timely training
On-going training and equipping (pre-field, on-field, post-field)
Qualified trainers

7 THOROUGH FOLLOW-THROUGH

An excellent short-term mission assures evaluation, debriefing and appropriate follow-through for all participants, and is expressed by:

Comprehensive debriefing of all participants (pre-field, on-field, post-field)
Thoughtful and appropriate follow-through for goer-guests
On–field and post-field evaluation among sending and receiving partners