The Code of Best Practice For STM

The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada worked with leaders across Canada to develop the Code of Best Practice for Short-Term Mission.

Motivated by the desire that God be glorified in all we do, mission agencies and local churches came together recognizing their responsibility to serve in the highest standards possible.

The Code represents aspirations towards high standards in short-term mission practice. The four areas directly addressed are: aims and objectives; publicity, selection, and orientation, field management and pastoral care; and re-entry support, evaluation and program development.  It is hoped that this new Code will help “raise the bar” for short-term mission effort in Canada, which in turn will have a powerful impact on local churches in Canada and host partners around the world.

To go with the Code, you can also purchase a 30-page Guide to accompany the Code. It includes a bibliography and resource listing as well as a process for adopting the Code. The Guide costs $10.00.

This Guide is meant to accompany the Code. It explores the context birthing the need for developing this Code.  It addresses the concerns of short-term missions (such as: cost, cultural insensitivity, limited benefit,…) by focusing on the strengths and opportunities of effective relational ministry. The template or model of effective relational ministry is compiled in the Code of Best Practice for STM.

You can download a PDF of The Code for free. This is the second edition of The Code, revised and published in February 2009.

Before you begin your trip, you’ll want to check out the guidelines outlined in it. This is an important tool to help you prepare to get the most out of your short-term mission experience.

Download The Code of Best Practice for Short-Term Mission.