SHORT-TERM MISSION TRIP TEAM COVENANT
The one place you can’t wing-it is building a successful short-term mission team. The operative
word is team. While people on the team will undoubtedly come from different ethnic, social, and
vocational backgrounds, they must function as a single unit with a pre-determined purpose. Each
person on the team will be assigned different tasks and bring unique skills to the ministry, team
unity is non-negotiable. Each person must be intentional about their attitude and behavior toward
others and this needs to be addressed prior to going to the mission field. We’ve found what works
best is for short-term team members, trip leaders, and receiving missionary hosts commit to each
other in a Team Covenant prior to departure to the field.
Everything listed in the following Team Covenant is filtered through the two scriptures below
which focus on putting others ahead of yourself. Putting others first doesn’t come naturally. Some
do it better than others, but mission trips stretch people to their spiritual limits.
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship
together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by
agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind
and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better
than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You
must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. —Philippians 2:1-5
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should
love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. —John
13:34-35
PURPOSE STATEMENT:
The purpose is to allow God to work through the team to glorify Himself, and demonstrate His love
to others.
FLEXIBILITY:
As a team member, I agree to be flexible in my attitude, actions and circumstances as I participate
in Christ's purposes being carried out through the team.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
In all my actions on this mission trip, I am individually accountable to God first of all. I agree to be
accountable to the team leaders and other members of the team. I also agree to encourage and
acknowledge others as faithful servants of God. Hebrews 10:24 states, "But encourage one another
day after day..."
RESPONSIBILITY:
I pledge to carry out tasks in a responsible and timely manner. I will handle all ministry equipment
and assignments as tools and gifts in which God has entrusted to me.
TIME/PUNCTUALITY:
I agree to exhibit respect to team members and others by arriving on time. If a situation arises which
causes me to be late, I agree to inform leaders and/or team members right away.
CULTURE:
As a team, we realize that we are entering other cultures as guests. I will, to the best of my ability,
refrain from passing judgment on customs foreign to me because they are different. As a team, we
will strive to show respect to nationals in our host country by assuming the posture of students and
learning their customs and culture, and, when/if necessary, live as they do. The goal is to gain
credibility as people with genuine love for them as we labor to present the news of Christ to them.
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO:
In order to reflect the best possible image of Christ, I will abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages
and using narcotics. I will also abstain from using tobacco products.
TRAVEL:
Before planning any trips outside of our pre-scheduled group itinerary, I will discuss it with the
team leader. I will not travel anywhere without another team member. I agree to stay together with
the group wherever we go, unless given permission to be apart from the group.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION:
I agree that if/when conflict arises, I will commit to pray, take a personal inventory, and examine
myself for selfish motives and unrealistic expectations of another. I will take responsibility to
approach the other person if appropriate. I will do this in love and go the extra mile to restore unity.
I will not discuss the matter with other members of the team or cause others to choose sides. I will
be quick to pray with and for others and quick to forgive and give grace.
TEAM UNITY:
Each team member is vital and has something unique to contribute. I commit to work in community
providing an environment where others are encouraged and given opportunity to discover, develop,
and utilize their spiritual gifts. Romans 12:4-6 states, "For just as we have many members in one
body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many are one body in
Christ, and individually members one of another. And since we have gifts that differ, according to
the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly."
GOSSIP:
I agree to only speak words that build up and encourage. I will refrain from remarks that hurt, tear
down, or undermine others. "With the tongue we will praise our Lord and Father, and with it we
curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.
My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?"
—James 3:9-11.
EMERGENCY OR CONTINGENCY PLAN:
If an emergency or crisis develops, the team will follow these principles:
1. Whatever action is taken, the TEAM STAYS TOGETHER. There is no room for individual
action. If a team member is away from the group at the time of the event, he or she will
immediately return to the group and contact the group leader.
2. Once the team leader is contacted, he will assess the situation and make further contingency
plans. There will be a pre-assigned point of contact who will serve as a communication link to
families back home.
3. A decision to leave an area will be made in conjunction with the team leader and/or national
leaders in country. The team leader or team members will not seek to make a decision without
consultation with local national leaders. Local hosts are more familiar with situations in their
country and know the best way to leave an area.
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:
Luke 10:27 states "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and love your neighbor as
yourself." I agree to nurture dependence and a deeper relationship with God on the trip and set
personal devotional time as a priority. I will be humble in communication and circumstances.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS:
I will place other team members needs ahead of my own. Ephesians 5:21 says, "...and be subject to
one another in the fear of Christ." This includes listening to each other's opinions, ideas and needs,
and respecting time, property, and sleep.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH NATIONALS:
Among the community, educational leaders and interpreters, I will respect any cultural differences I
encounter. I will support their endeavors by coming alongside them with a servant heart and
teachable spirit. I Peter 4:8-10 states, "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because
love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has
received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of
God."
RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX:
I will maintain non-romantic relationships with team members as brothers or sisters in Christ. I will
not engage in dating relationships with team members or nationals. I will also respect host-country
cultural values of relationships with the opposite sex.
In light of this, TIME team members and group leaders will commit to sexual purity, as defined above,
during a TIME Missions, trip. All public displays of affection by non-married people (both hetero and
same sex) are prohibited. Additionally, Team Members will behave in a way that is consistent with their
biological gender.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH TEAM LEADERS:
I will respect leaders by understanding their responsibility, accepting their decisions, and praying
before I approach them with disagreements. While submitting to and obeying their authority, I will
treat them as friends and give them privacy at the proper times.
As a short-term missionary, I am an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ. As I minister, I will also
keep in mind that I represent the United States as well as my local church. This is a tremendous
responsibility; consequently I confess my dependence on the Holy Spirit that, to the best of my
ability, I will be above reproach in my actions and attitudes as stated in this Team Covenant.
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AGREEMENT TO TEAM COVENANT
I,_________________, as a team member of this short term mission trip, have read this Team
Covenant and promise before God and this team to abide by all of the policies and statements
contained therein by the grace of God.
If at any time in my service on this short-term mission, my behavior constitutes a problem, team
leaders and/or missionary hosts reserve the right and authority to return me home. Any additional
costs incurred as a result of this action will be at my expense.
