EQUIPPING Short-Term MISSION TEAM LEADERS

The purpose of this page is to equip shor-term mission co-leaders with the resources/materials necessary to be successful in recruiting a team, building that team, leading it during the time together with your partner-in-country, and having a debriefing session.

What does it mean to be a team leader?  Roles and Responsibilities for short-term mission co-leaders: 

Our hope at MPPC is that being a short-term mission co-leader is an expression of God's call for you.  it is our hope that this will be a rewarding spiritual experience where you will experience God, make a difference in the world, and develop relationships which will last a lifetime.

Document Name   Description  Link to Document 
Team leader responsibilities This document outlines a team leaders responsibilities Responsibilities
Sample timeline for STM trips This is a short-term timeline for how to plan and lead your team.  It is a recommended plan to give you some idea of how to structure your time beforehand and after you return from your trip. Timeline
Sample Budget Worksheet This budget worksheet should be filled out prior to the first informational meeting and reviewed with the minister for missions and Trish Snead Sample Budget
Questions before you Recruit or Promote These are questions that you as a co-leader should be able to answer prior to recruiting a team. Questions
Sample Team Meeting Schedule This was a sample team meeting schedule used by the LAMB trip.  It is essential that you lay out dates ahead of time with expectation that the entire group would meet four times before you leave and once after your arrival back in the US. Meeting Schedule 

Framework and Understanding Mission:

Document Name Description   Link to Document
Missions & Partnership discussion Our understanding of missions comes from our understanding a missional God.  This understanding as Presbyterians means that we do mission in partnership.  This document begins to explore an understanding of what partnership means.   Partnership - What does it mean?
Definition of Partnership from PCUSA This defines partnership from the PCUSA from Sherron George's book Called as Partners in Christ Service.   Partnership

Informational Meetings                                                                  Our hope is that at the informational meeting you will need to remember:

  1. To publicize the meeting working with Trish Snead
  2. Open with prayer
  3. Why are we in mission?
  4. Go over expectations (application process, dates, goals of the trip, etc.)
  5. Share testimonies, pictures, etc..
  6. Close in prayer

Document Name Description Link to Document  
Informational Meeting reminders  This document gives some advice about what you should cover in an informational meeting.  Reminders
Sample informational meeting agenda-Nicaragua Nicaragua team sample agenda for informational meeting. Nicaragua Agenda  
Sample informational meeting agenda-Honduras (LAMB) Honduras team sample agenda for informational meeting.  

Honduras Agenda

Agendas for team meetings:  Building the Team

It is essential that spiritual disciplines should be a part of each time the group gathers together.  As the team leader, remember that it is your responsibility to facilitate and to encourage faith sharing.

Document Name Description   Link to Document  
Scripture resources for small group meetings & reminders for facilitating the group. These are general scripture resources that might be helpful. Co-Leader Facilitation Guide  

Sample Agendas

Document Name Description   Link to Document  
Team Meeting #1 As a team, explore what it means to participate in missions?   Why are relationships so important? God of Mission Building
Team Meeting #2   As a team, explore why this is not a tourist vacation, but should be a time of spiritual growth and discernment. Spiritual Journey
Team Meeting #3   As a team, explore your gifts, strengths & weaknesses. Body of Christ
Team Meeting #4   As a team, explore the challenges  of doing mission in a cross-culture setting. Understanding Culture

 Creative Ideas for Building the Team 

Document Name Description   Link to Document  
Myers Briggs  The Myers Briggs is a great way for your team to understand its gifts.  As a team leader, it is important to understand, for example, if you have all extraverts or l intraverts. Myers Briggs Test  
Article on the Missions and Missionary God This short article talks about our belief in the Missionary God and why we are in missions. Practices Relationships of Mutual Love

Article on the power and relationships of mission.

 This article talks about the power and  importance of relationships in mission. The Power of Empty Hands
Simulation Game This is an exercise which highlights the challenges of cultural exchange Understanding Culture
Case Study This is a case study from Sherron George's book called As Partner's in Christ Service.                      Partner's in Christ Service 
Reformed Tradition and Poverty This is an exerpt from the book Less Than Two Dollars A Day.  It talks about the reformed tradition and poverty.   Less than $2 a Day
English to Metric Conversion   Metric Conversion
Simple Spanish Words and Phrases These are some basic words in spanish that you can learn together.  Simple Spanish
Required Immunizations This will help lead you to where you need to go for immunizations requred.  Immunizations 

Team Covenants

Document Name Description   Link to Document  
Sample Team Covenant 1 A team covenant should be established prior to leaving the country   Covenant 1  
Sample Team Covenant 2    Covenant 2

Devotional & Prayer Resources for the Trip

Document Name Description   Link to Document  
Devotion 1 This is the devotion that the Nicaragua team used in 2007 Nicaragua Devotion
Devotion 2 This is the devotion that the Honduras team used in 2007   Honduras Devotion  
Devotion and Group Process Guide These are just some helpful reminders for group process & facilitation Devotion & Group Process
Eight Great Questions These are questions that your team can use to help process your experience. Eight Questions 
Thoughtful Prayers These are some prayers that will help prepare your heart for the trip. Prayers

Debriefing after the Trip

Document Name Description Link to Document 
Debriefing Guide  This is a guide for the debriefing process.  It includes questions and reminders that you can use with your group. Debriefing Guide

CLICK HERE FOR UPCOMING MISSION TRIPS

Service Times

Sunday Morning Worship
8:15, 9:45 & 11:15 am

Church School
9:45 am for all ages

Lectionary and Scripture readings for the week.



Calendar