I'm of the camp that the volunteers benefit more than those receiving the services and while it gives me heartburn, I wonder what the alternative is? The teens from our church (very liberal not proselytizing at all) go to build homes and relationships, and they come back changed people. They aren't as self centered (in general) and many of them express their desire to care for people and the environment after their trips. Is there another way to achieve this result?

Doesn't it depend on the location, the purpose and the funding? My DHs church does one most summers and it's usually to someplace like NJ to do hurricane clean up, WV to do storm cleanup, to New Orleans to work with Habitat for Humanity, etc. It's a work trip and they are working on specific projects. The participants pay their own way and usually sleep in church basements or similar lodging. They do not, as far as I know, do any proselytizing. I guess there is a sense of community that forms between people spending a week in a church basement but that doesn't strike me as unethical.

Anonymous wrote:Tim Kaine did exactly the same type of missionary work.

Do you find him obnoxious too?

He did JVC. That's more like Peace Corps, not like one of these 2 week fly-in trips. Pros and cons to each but not really comparable.

I work in international development so know of which I speak. Ultimately, the money spent on these trips would be put to much better use if invested in the local community directly or donated to a reputable local organization already doing good work on the ground. That being said, some of these trips can impact the volunteer's lives so much that they dedicate their professional lives to service. The projects that do the most harm are anything related to orphans. Do not go volunteer at an orphanage for a week or a month. Losing the bonds with a trusted adult is so much more damaging to those kids' lives than if you never showed up at all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly - I think they are obnoxious. I think it is a way for folks with money to feel good about themselves by going to a fun location, doing some community service to benefit others, and then having fun and getting people to pay for it. It is questionable whether the people who are receiving the services asked for the help or even appreciate being the source of people with money's good feelings for using their vacation to help the poor. Yuck.

This. I worked with DWB for a long time before I had kids and honestly this "mission trips" really do a lot of destruction to the town. They come through, set up a mission, use a ridiculous amount of resources, and spread the word high and far. By the time a steady stream of people are getting to them for intended service they are leaving town.

I agree! I just hate people who try to make the world a better place!!


That's the governments job - especially in Latin America.

Anonymous wrote:Honestly - I think they are obnoxious. I think it is a way for folks with money to feel good about themselves by going to a fun location, doing some community service to benefit others, and then having fun and getting people to pay for it. It is questionable whether the people who are receiving the services asked for the help or even appreciate being the source of people with money's good feelings for using their vacation to help the poor. Yuck.

True words from one who has never done a mission trip. Trips do not use up a lot or "resources" -- the churches provide the materials. It is a good activity. Nothing is perfect, but we are still receiving thank yous from the mission trips that we have been on.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly - I think they are obnoxious. I think it is a way for folks with money to feel good about themselves by going to a fun location, doing some community service to benefit others, and then having fun and getting people to pay for it. It is questionable whether the people who are receiving the services asked for the help or even appreciate being the source of people with money's good feelings for using their vacation to help the poor. Yuck.

I feel similar. Yes, they do help the recipients and intentions are good. BUT, they also serve a self serving purposes of the church leadership such as strengthening ties and loyalty among the church members. I dislike the fundraising part of it, making others pay for a chunk of it.

There's a big of poverty tourism that rubs me the wrong way too.

Anonymous wrote:Why on earth would you think it's ethically questionable to spread the word of God to those willing to listen?

It's not like they are forcing the message on anyone agains their will.

Well, because they'll build a school but force you to listen to jesus prayers to get it. The help comes at a religious cost.

Anonymous wrote:Honestly - I think they are obnoxious. I think it is a way for folks with money to feel good about themselves by going to a fun location, doing some community service to benefit others, and then having fun and getting people to pay for it. It is questionable whether the people who are receiving the services asked for the help or even appreciate being the source of people with money's good feelings for using their vacation to help the poor. Yuck.

This. I worked with DWB for a long time before I had kids and honestly this "mission trips" really do a lot of destruction to the town. They come through, set up a mission, use a ridiculous amount of resources, and spread the word high and far. By the time a steady stream of people are getting to them for intended service they are leaving town.

Tim Kaine did exactly the same type of missionary work.

Do you find him obnoxious too?

Would the community the trip is going to "serve" be better off if the full cost of the trip was donated instead? Then that's your answer.

Anonymous wrote:Honestly - I think they are obnoxious. I think it is a way for folks with money to feel good about themselves by going to a fun location, doing some community service to benefit others, and then having fun and getting people to pay for it. It is questionable whether the people who are receiving the services asked for the help or even appreciate being the source of people with money's good feelings for using their vacation to help the poor. Yuck.

I feel similar. Yes, they do help the recipients and intentions are good. BUT, they also serve a self serving purposes of the church leadership such as strengthening ties and loyalty among the church members. I dislike the fundraising part of it, making others pay for a chunk of it.

Honestly - I think they are obnoxious. I think it is a way for folks with money to feel good about themselves by going to a fun location, doing some community service to benefit others, and then having fun and getting people to pay for it. It is questionable whether the people who are receiving the services asked for the help or even appreciate being the source of people with money's good feelings for using their vacation to help the poor. Yuck.

Why on earth would you think it's ethically questionable to spread the word of God to those willing to listen?

It's not like they are forcing the message on anyone agains their will.

Thru church. We attend a United Church of Christ, which is pretty darn liberal- so no evangelizing or proselytizing, but they are offering a summer service trip to Detroit and to Nicauaraga for those who already have done a domestic trip for the high school youth group and my daughter wants to go. Are these ethically questionable?