May 20, 2011
Fifty-One Miles to Faith
Daniel Schantz reflects on the simplicity, family spirit, and unhurried worship of Leonard Christian Church, a small rural Missouri congregation that renews his faith.
Church Life
Church Life explores the shared rhythms, relationships, and practices that shape a healthy congregation. Discover Bible-based articles on worship gatherings, fellowship, unity, hospitality, discipleship in community, and caring for one another through life’s joys and challenges. You’ll find guidance for building a welcoming church culture, strengthening membership and belonging, handling conflict with grace, and encouraging spiritual growth across the body. Whether you’re a church leader or a committed member, these resources help you cultivate congregational life that reflects the love of Christ and supports faithful discipleship.
March 16, 2011
Clearing a Path to Life
Mark A. Taylor reflects on a snowbound New Hampshire cemetery and warns that churches can appear active while missing the true life found only in Jesus.
March 12, 2011
Sharing the Stories of Martyrs
Parkway Christian Church invites members to share weekly stories of Christian martyrs, helping the congregation reflect on persecution, perseverance, and gratitude for religious freedom.
February 2, 2011
So Long to Good-Byes
By Cal Jernigan Perhaps you heard the story of the man who was stranded alone on a deserted island for a number of years. One day a ship appeared on the horizon, noticed him, and sent some men ashore to rescue him. While helping him gather his scant belongings, the rescuers noticed three huts clustered together and asked the man about them. The man pointed to one of the huts and explained that it served as his house, and then he pointed to another and explained that it was where he went to church. The man stopped without mentioning the
January 2, 2011
The Essential About Opinions
Mark A. Taylor introduces “In Opinions, Liberty,” a new feature inviting Christian disagreement marked by humility, patience, freedom, and love.
December 29, 2010
Family Resemblance
Teresa Schantz Williams reflects on the strengths she discovered in a cappella churches of Christ, including servant leadership, active elders, congregational worship, and bridges within the Restoration family.
November 10, 2010
Stop Bashing the Bride!
Mike Baker defends the church as Christ’s bride, arguing that despite human imperfection, the church remains God’s idea, spiritually radiant, and central to God’s redemptive work in the world.
September 30, 2010
“˜We Are Intentionally Multicultural”
Keele Street Christian Church in Toronto reflects kingdom diversity through a congregation shaped by many cultures, intentional welcome, and the faithful example of one Filipino family.
September 15, 2010
Sad Because She Left Us
Mark A. Taylor reflects on Anne Rice’s disappointment with the church and points instead to the grace, welcome, and authentic community Christians are called to build together.
September 8, 2010
Anne Rice”s Decision Makes Me Sad
Mark A. Taylor reflects on Anne Rice’s public break with Christianity, the pain caused by broken people in the church, and the sadness of believers who miss the good.
September 3, 2010
Letters to the Editor (archived)
Readers respond to recent Christian Standard articles on ministry, spiritual disciplines, baptism, Calvinism, church practices, paradigms, and practical Christian living.
August 25, 2010
I Can See You, September
As summer slips away, Mark A. Taylor reflects on the sadness and gratitude that come with changing seasons—and the fresh ministry opportunities churches often find as fall schedules and routines return.
July 18, 2010
NACC Beyond A Sermon Series and BEYOND
Ethan Magness reflects on how the BEYOND series challenged Mountain Christian Church to embrace discomfort, renew urgency, and keep following Jesus into places they had never been.
June 9, 2010
Never More Movement, Never More Questions
Mark A. Taylor reflects on the vitality, uncertainty, and renewed questions facing Christian churches and churches of Christ as the Restoration Movement considers its identity and future.
February 14, 2010
NACC: Hmmm . . . Let Us Think
Rob Kastens reflects on The Millennial Harbinger, early Restoration Movement dialogue, and the need for thoughtful Christian discussion on important issues without dividing over nonessentials.
February 7, 2010
Memoirs of a Young Preacher
Dale Tinsley reflects on a difficult ministry season and how God restored a divided congregation through unity, authentic love, perseverance, and one simple invitation.
January 3, 2010
Local Church Membership: Who Needs It?
John Castelein explores local church membership through a candid conversation between elders and seminary students about commitment, accountability, authority, baptism, and belonging.
October 25, 2009
Sixteen Minutes on Sunday
Daniel Schantz remembers the comic chaos of childhood Sunday mornings and the lasting lesson hidden in the rush: nothing happens until you get out of bed and get going.
October 4, 2009
It’s Simple!
Terry O'Casey calls churches to recover simple Christianity, shaped by Thomas Campbell’s plea and the ministry pattern of Jesus, rather than complexity, bylaws, and over-programmed systems.
August 26, 2009
Leading the Trends
Mark A. Taylor offers practical, Scripture-shaped church ministry ideas that could refresh congregational life, from prayer services and Communion reflection to generosity, fasting, family connection, and bearing one another’s burdens.
