27 April, 2024

Leading the Discussion

by | 30 December, 2009 | 0 comments

By Mark A. Taylor

As the new year begins, here at CHRISTIAN STANDARD we”re gearing up to serve you with 48 issues full of thoughtful insight, encouraging news, and prodding analysis. We”re committed to leading the discussion among Christian church readers about what”s happening in our movement and what it means to all of us.

For starters, we”re once again planning 12 special, thicker issues to deal with timely themes:

January 10: Vacation Bible School and Children”s Ministry

February 14: NACC Preview

March 14: Christian Colleges

April 11/18: Megachurches

May 9: Family

June 6: Preaching

July 18/25: “Beyond”””NACC Theme Issue

September 5: Growing Like Jesus

October 3: Racial Reconciliation

October 31: Reading Resources

November 21/28: Missions

December 19/26: Christmas/New Year”s

Meanwhile, we”re continuing our tradition of recruiting 12 writers to contribute “Reflections” columns throughout the year. The 2010 lineup represents a wide range of thinkers, teachers, and leaders””men and women from megachurches and smaller churches, colleges and mission fields, and every part of the country. We”ve already read their first batch of columns, and we can hardly wait to share them with you!

Here are the “Reflections” writers who will be serving you in 2010:

Ash Barker, director of Urban Neigh-bours of Hope, lives in Klong Toey, the largest slum in Bangkok, Thailand.

Steve Bond is senior pastor with Summit Christian Church in Sparks, Nevada.

Chuck Booher is senior pastor with Crossroads Christian Church, Corona, California.

John Castelein is professor at Lincoln (Illinois) Christian Seminary.

Jack Cottrell is professor at Cincinnati (Ohio) Christian Seminary.

Jeff Faull is senior minister with Mount Gilead Church in Mooresville, Indiana.

Rick Grover is lead pastor at Owensboro (Kentucky) Christian Church.


John Mark Hicks is professor at Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee.

Kelly Kastens serves with the worship arts ministry at Mountain Christian Church, Joppa, Maryland.

Janet McMahon serves as church planter and community life director with Restore Community Church, Kansas City, Missouri.

Terry O”Casey ministers with High Lakes Christian Church in La Pine, Oregon.

George Ross is senior pastor with Northside Christian Church, New Albany, Indiana.

All of this works, though, only as you, our readers, decide it”s working. Please don”t hesitate to tell us how we”re doing, and what we can do better. The discussion we”re leading won”t happen unless you join in it.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: Lycoming Christian Church in Linden, Pa., is seeking a minister of children, youth, and young adults. Michigan City (Ind.) Christian Church needs a senior minister. Impact Christian Church (Moon Township, Pa.) looks to hire an executive pastor. The Christian Campus Foundation (CCF) at the University of Illinois is seeking a full-time director of campus ministry. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

Fifth Person Arrested in Deaths of Kansas Women

A fifth person has been arrested on charges in the deaths of two women from Hugoton, Kan. Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley, a minister’s wife, went missing March 30 and were found dead on an Oklahoma farm April 14. . . .

THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Cloned in God’s Image’ (1984)

“In one sense Christians are clones,” Virgil Felton wrote in 1984. “We are cloned in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). We are cloned by a new birth (John 3:5). We are cloned as new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). . . .”

News Briefs for April 24

Bob Vernon, 97, an Ozark Bible College graduate who, with his brothers, was a pioneer in Christian television broadcasting, died April 14. . . . David and Dolly Nicholson are retiring after decades of service. . . . A “Kelley Family Benefit Fund” has been established . . . plus more.

Your Later Years Can Be Greater Years!

In his new book, “Not Too Old,” Christian Standard contributing editor David Faust explains how “your later years can be greater years.” In the book, David encourages readers to continue to “bear fruit in old age” (Psalm 92:14) . . .

The Gentle Servant

Isaiah uses two metaphors to illustrate the gentleness of our Lord . . .

Follow Us