18 March, 2024
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Free digital magazine

Free Digital Magazine

March/April

Latest News

How to Tell Your Church Is ‘Tanking’—and What to Do

How do elders or pastors know their churches are sliding toward closure?  Christian Standard posed that question to Stan Granberg, vice chairman of Heritage 21, which specializes in helping noninstrumental Churches of Christ that are facing closure. . . .

THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘The Birth of the Restoration’ (Part 2; 1924)

“Their [the Restoration pioneers’] troubles were many. There were enemies without and within,” Ira M. Boswell wrote in 1924. “I shall not have time to notice them all, but will give my attention to those which prevailed before the union between the disciples of Christ and Christians” . . .

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: Impact Christian Church (Moon Township, Pa.) is seeking an executive pastor. The Christian Campus Foundation (CCF) at the University of Illinois is seeking a full-time director of campus ministry. New Brighton (Minn.) Christian Church needs a new senior minister. Summit Christian College (Gering, Neb.) is accepting applications for the position of academic dean. And more . . .

Cincinnati Christian Education Developments in the Years Since CCU’s Closure

David Fincher describes efforts to continue Christian education opportunities in the Cincinnati area via the Russell School of Ministry, CCL Network, and Elliott Library since the closure of Cincinnati Christian University at the end of 2019. . . .

Revival Fires Ministry Founder Cecil Todd Dies

Cecil Todd, of Branson West, Mo., who served the Lord faithfully for 75 years, founded Revival Fires Ministry, and hosted a weekly television program that aired nationally for 20 years, died March 4, 2024, at age 92. . . .

About Suicide: I’m Still Learning from My Son’s

LeRoy Lawson writes that his book about his son’s suicide “contains both sides of a conversation three decades long; [Lane] talks first in his final communication to us. Then I answer him. He writes with confidence, at peace with his decision and comfortable with his reasons for it. I am not so sure of myself, either as father or as minister . . .”

THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘The Birth of the Restoration’ (Part 1; 1924)

“The nineteenth century dawned on an America that was far from Christian. Unbelief was prevalent and popular,” Ira M. Boswell wrote in 1924. “The Bible was considered a dead book and the gospel powerless to save. Speaking to sinners concerning personal salvation was objectionable to pious believers, and looked upon as a personal interference with the plans of God.” . . .

News Briefs for March 6

ICOM offers an entire church/college family registration option. Plus, housing information is now available for the Nov. 14-16 conference in Lexington, Ky. . . . Plus briefs from Waypoint Church Planters, CMF, The Pressing On Conference (April 9-11), KCU, and more . . .

In This Issue

Traders Point Christian Church: 190 Years of Kingdom-Centered Service

Many people assume TPCC is younger than it really is . . .

The Restoration Movement: A History of Separation

Exploring the pivotal issues that gave rise to two major divisions (and a number of smaller ones) . . .

The ‘Only God’ Story of Mountain Christian Church

A 200-year-old church in the Northeast bursting with life, vibrancy, growth, and impact!

Understanding the Disciples’ Decline

Why the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have declined since opting to become a denomination . . .

Disciple Heritage Fellowship

Some churches have rejected a turn toward more progressive theology . . .

‘The Fool of God’ Introduction

A historical novel about Alexander Campbell has been unexpectedly helpful to us . . .

The Solomon Foundation’s Impact

A bottom line measured in outreach, church attendance, and baptisms . . .

Living Hope and Unquenchable Joy: Celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus

Why does it matter that some guy died on a cross and rose again many years ago? . . .

+ The Lookout

March 24 Lesson | Communion

A secular proverb says, “When all else fails, read the directions.” The Corinthian church had trouble following directions . . .

March 17 Lesson | Selfless Liberty

Simon Sinek emphasized that “Great leaders sacrifice their own comfort—even their own survival—for the good of those in their care.” The apostle Paul could have written that line. . . .

March 10 Lesson | Servant Leadership

The divisions in the church at Corinth were mostly caused by pride, which ran counter to servant leadership. . . .

March 3 Lesson | Unity

To say that the church in Roman Corinth had trouble with unity would be a gross understatement. They were divided over leaders, the nature of the gospel, the use of Christian freedom . . .

Feb. 25 Lesson | Seeing and Believing

People in Jesus’ day saw the miracles, heard him teach, and watched him interact with people high and low. Still, many of them refused to believe. But for the Jesus followers of John 20, seeing was believing. . . .

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