I have frequently been asked about resources for local church missions programs. In 2015, Steve Beirn, Global Ministries Pastor at Calvary Church in Lancaster, PA, published Well Sent: Reimaging the Church’s Missionary-Sending Process. Steve served at our sending church in Holland, Michigan before going to Calvary so I know him well. He writes with passion and experience. …
Category: Pre-field Training
Culture shock: God’s crucible?
A few years ago, I wrote a number of posts on the value of crucible experiences, particularly in relation to leadership development. Crucible experiences are difficult, often painful events or losses in our lives that have the potential to refine us. But as I repeatedly said in those previous posts, difficult life experiences in themselves …
The Vine Project: A review
Jesus told us to go and disciple all nations. That means that those of us who have been called and sent are to be disciplemakers who equip others to be disciplemakers as well. The question that I have been asking myself recently is, "Are the sending and training structures that we have established to help …
A lot more preparation required
My wife loves to host people. She is a great cook, and will often spend most of the day preparing a meal for our dinner guests. My participation in the preparations is decidedly less. Maybe all the guests are thankful for that. Admittedly, I don't know much about how to prepare a great meal for guests. …
Tanks and training for missions
God can transform the most painful experiences of our childhood into preparation to bless others. Joseph told his brothers many years after they sold him into slavery, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Gen 50:20). I just finished listening to …
Training vs Development
Recently, I have been thinking about the difference between training and development. Both are important, SEND U is committed to both, but they are different. As Steve Moore said in a recent Missio Nexus webinar, training is oriented around the needs of the organization, while development is oriented around the needs of the individual. Let …
The other 76% of the training value
These days, we are preparing for another Member Orientation Program, SEND's pre-field training for those who are within a few months of leaving for the mission field. This summer's group is one of the most diverse ones I have ever seen with 18 people coming from 7 different countries and going to 10 different …
