September 6, 2026

The SEND U Blog

Reflections and Resources for Lifelong Learning for Missionaries

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Developing leaders: a perspective from Timothy and Titus
Leadership, Training, Leadership Training

Developing leaders: a perspective from Timothy and Titus

When Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus, he showed concern about transitioning to new leadership. He demonstrated a commitment to developing the leadership capacities of Timothy and Titus, his delegates to churches he planted. He is quite concerned about leadership development in the churches. While these letters are not leadership development manuals, there is much we can learn from them. I find five leadership essentials in the letters to Timothy and Titus that should guide leadership development. CHARACTER MATTERS Character matters a great deal to Paul. The qualifications for church leaders in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 are mostly behavioral characteristics. As many commentators have pointed out, most of these qualities are expected of believers in general in the New Testament. Church leaders ought to be models of mature Christian character. Christian leadership qualifications encompass the totality of the person, not just skill in ministry tasks. Related Posts:Timothy and… Read the whole post
Gary Ridley1 min read
Exploring Spiritual Formation: Perspective
Spiritual Formation

Exploring Spiritual Formation: Perspective

Recently I heard a pastor tell a story about a women’s conference whose promoters sold more tickets than the venue had seats available. To compensate, they brought in hundreds of rented chairs that were neither sturdy nor comfortable. The women from his church became angry about the situation, and their complaints grew louder and more frequent as the conference progressed—until the last day, when Joni Eareckson Tada rolled up to the mic and said, “I hear some of you are not happy with the chairs you’ve been given.”[1] Needless to say, the atmosphere changed immediately. It’s amazing what a little perspective can do for our souls. The Scriptures are full of stories about the disciples’ frequent need for a change in perspective. Think of the disciples shooing the children away from Jesus until he explains that “the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:13-16). Think of James… Read the whole post
Lynn Karidis1 min read
Disciple-making, Book Reviews

Book Review: World Mission: Theology, Strategy, & Current Issues

Missiology at times is dominated by the social sciences and pragmatism. Appeals to Scripture sometimes ignore the context. World Mission: Theology, Strategy, & Current Issues, edited by Scott N. Callaham and Will Brooks, is a series of essays seeking to change that. The back cover boldly states the aim of the book: Related Posts:A Great Resource for Understanding Diaspora MissiologyReview of "Controversies in Mission: Theology,…Review: Early Christian Mission by Eckhard J. SchnabelReview of What is Biblical Theology?Book Review: Practicing Hope: Missions and Global CrisesBook Review: Introducing Story-Strategic Methods… Read the whole post
Gary Ridley1 min read
Behavior in the Household of God
Character, Disciple-making, Gospel

Behavior in the Household of God

In my last post in this series on the letters to Timothy and Titus, the focus was on Paul’s description of the church as the household of God. Paul’s description keeps the relational dynamics of a household together with standing firm for the truth of the gospel. Paul is writing to Timothy to inform him how Christians should conduct themselves in God’s household. In this post, I will focus on behavior in the household of God. I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of truth. (1 Timothy 3:14,15 ESV) Related Posts:Developing leaders: a perspective from Timothy and TitusTimothy and Titus as ModelsTeaching Doctrine in Disciple-making: Academic…Missionary Identity according to PaulMultiplying Disciples: Reflections… Read the whole post
Gary Ridley1 min read
The Church is God’s Household
Church Planting, Theology, Church

The Church is God’s Household

In this series of posts on the letters to Timothy and Titus, I have emphasized that Timothy and Titus were co-workers with Paul in planting churches in Ephesus (Timothy) and Crete (Titus). These letters are Paul’s instructions to his co-workers for dealing with various issues such as teaching sound doctrine and warnings against false teaching. About halfway through 1 Timothy Paul expresses another purpose in writing: I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of truth. – 1 Timothy 3:14,15 (ESV) Behavior is very important in the letters to Timothy and Titus and in a future post, I will explore “good works” as a component of church planting. Related Posts:Timothy and Titus as… Read the whole post
Gary Ridley1 min read
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