September 6, 2026

The SEND U Blog

Reflections and Resources for Lifelong Learning for Missionaries

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Training, Growth Plans

Crucibles Develop Our Capacity

These days, I am following a training plan to prepare for a half marathon that I would like to run in September.  The training plan is progressive.  You start with running 4.8 km, then after a few weeks, you move up to 6.4 km.  When running 6.4 km is no longer a big challenge, then the training plan asks you to run 8 km.   A few weeks later, when 8 km becomes relatively easy, then you are asked to run 10 km, and so on. There are no shortcuts. This is a 20-week plan and slowly builds capacity up to 21.1 km as you faithfully follow the plan.   Other training plans for half marathons may be shorter, but they all follow the same principle. You run longer and longer distances as your capacity increases over time. I have also been reading the book of James these days and reflecting on… Read the whole post
Ken Guenther2 mins read
Spiritual Formation, Coaching

Processing Crucibles with the Help of Others

In three previous blog posts, I have been talking about crucible experiences (trials, or in other words, painful and stressful life or work circumstances) and the role they have in transforming us. But as I have noted, difficult life experiences in themselves do not refine us. Our response to the crucible experiences of life and ministry is what allows the crucible to become transformative. Ananias restoring the sight of Saint PaulPietro da Cortona, 1631 Crucible experiences are often endured alone, or at least without the company of other human beings who truly understand the pain and stress you are experiencing. Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days alone with the wild animals. Elijah ran away from Queen Jezebel to Mt. Horeb, leaving his only companion in Beersheba to travel 40 days into the wilderness alone. Abraham went to Mt. Moriah to offer up his only son as God had… Read the whole post
Ken Guenther2 mins read
Spiritual Formation, Learning Attitude

Not a Victim, But a Learner

In two previous blog posts, I have been talking about crucible experiences that God often uses to perfect us. But as I have noted, difficult life experiences in themselves do not refine us. Our response to the crucible experiences of life and ministry is what allows the crucible to become transformative. Crucibles are used in refining gold out of crushed ore.  In doing some study on the process, I have learned that borax is often used as a flux for smelting gold out of crushed ore.   Borax reduces the melting point of gold, thus making it separate more easily and quickly from the other minerals in the ore.  The question I have asked myself, “How can we add borax to our crucible experiences in life, so that we can extract the ‘gold’ more quickly and easily?” Related Posts:CruciblesChrist Went Through the Crucible Before UsCulture shock: God's crucible?Processing Crucibles with the… Read the whole post
Ken Guenther1 min read
Character, Hardship, Spiritual Formation, Christ

Christ Went Through the Crucible Before Us

In the preparation of his servants, God uses crucible experiences that test and purify us.   This is no less true of missionaries than of any other servants of God.   In a previous post in this blog, I looked at Scripture verses that speak of crucibles and noted some different types of crucible experiences.   I emphasized that our response to these crucible experiences is critical.  If they are to be transformative, we need to identify and extract from these difficult and often painful experiences that which God has intended that we learn from it. How do we do that?  How do we mine crucibles? I think we need to begin by learning from Jesus.   He not only went through the crucible in order to purchase our redemption, but he shows us how to persevere and learn from these experiences. Related Posts:CruciblesCulture shock: God's crucible?Processing Crucibles with the Help of OthersNot a… Read the whole post
Ken Guenther1 min read
Training

The Missional Helix

  It is not uncommon to hear comments that theologians are ivory tower theorists or that missionary practitioners are rabid pragmatists. Such mudslinging is unproductive. Related Posts:Book Review: Relational Missionary TrainingDefining WorldviewExploring Spiritual Formation: DisciplineBook Review: Practicing Hope: Missions and Global CrisesKeeping urban church planters centeredLearning About Spiritual Formation… Read the whole post
Gary Ridley1 min read
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