April 19, 2009
Megachurches: The Value of a Brand (Web-Only Feature)
Kent Fillinger explains why church branding is about more than a logo, urging leaders to understand community perception, communicate consistently, and seek outside perspective.
Community Outreach
Community Outreach helps churches and believers love their neighbors with practical compassion and gospel clarity. Explore Bible-based articles on serving local needs, building relationships, partnering with community organizations, and creating outreach ministries that are sustainable and effective. You’ll find guidance on evangelism, mercy ministry, hospitality, and engaging your city with wisdom—so outreach is more than an event and becomes a way of life. Whether your church is starting new initiatives or strengthening existing ones, these resources equip you to serve your community in Jesus’ name.
February 4, 2009
Safe Streets, Saved Souls
Mark A. Taylor reflects on elders, Christian Standard’s “Get Your Hands Dirty” theme, and Timothy Keller’s reminder that Jesus’ mission includes both salvation and restoration.
January 4, 2009
Servanthood Without Star Power
Jim Herbst reflects on the quiet reality of compassionate service, where lasting change often comes through humble, steady, everyday servanthood rather than high-visibility projects.
December 31, 2008
New Year, New Theme, New Writers
Mark A. Taylor introduces Christian Standard’s “Get Your Hands Dirty” theme for 2009 and invites readers to share how their churches are serving people in need.
December 17, 2008
Interview with Jon Weece
Jon Weece explains how Southland Christian Church’s controversial Christmas outreach decision became a year-round commitment to serving people outside the church’s walls.
December 14, 2008
Disability Ministry in the Christian Church
Jim Pierson reflects on 25 years of disability ministry influence through CCFH, highlighting church resources, training partnerships, and congregations serving people with disabilities.
November 16, 2008
Changing Signs and Signs of Change in a Tulsa Congregation
Greg Taylor shares how Garnett Church of Christ turned its facility into Green Country Event Center, welcoming neighbors, churches, schools, and community groups as a sign of God’s kingdom.
August 31, 2008
Parents Matter
By Curtis Booher and Phyllis Fox Parents matter. More than anyone””peers, teachers, youth ministers””the greatest single influence on a teen is his parents. That may shock some parents who feel like a discarded shoe when their children reach adolescence. Research proves parents have the greatest effect on their children”s choices, including their religious and spiritual practices. Teens long to be cared for and taken seriously and they need authentic relationships with their parents and other caring adults. Christian parents need support from the church and that means more than youth group and Bible studies. The alarming rate of teen church
August 10, 2008
Mega Ministry in Miniature Actions
Mike Cahill shares how a small-town church’s simple hat and glove drive became a meaningful act of kingdom service, community partnership, and faithful outreach.
August 10, 2008
Thursday Night Pursuits
When hunting season emptied Sunday seats, Libby Christian Church launched a Thursday service for outdoorsmen—and discovered a creative outreach that reached hunters far beyond expectations.
Ministries Offering Help and Hope to Those in Need
Jennifer Taylor profiles eight churches and ministries serving the poor through food, clothing, tutoring, health care, recovery support, housing help, and neighborhood outreach across the country.
May 11, 2008
CHURCHES WITHOUT STEEPLES: Church! Blur the Lines
Brad Canning shares how Church! Of Park Slope used Postmark Café and practical service to blur the lines between church and community in Brooklyn.
Making an Impact
Michael Brown shares how soccer, Jesus Pizza, and Total Athlete helped him build real relationships outside the church and connect with unchurched people in his community.
The Biblical Basis for Externally Focused Ministry
By Eric Swanson If you look long enough, you can find a “biblical basis” for almost anything. That”s what my friends and I discovered years ago when I was in college. We entertained ourselves by finding obscure passages to justify a wide and wild set of behaviors. (All of these are from the New American Standard Bible, my version of choice back then): “¢ Not wearing sweatshirts: “They shall not gird themselves with anything which makes them sweat” (Ezekiel 44:18). “¢ Sleeping in church: “I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of
Understanding the Externally Focused Movement
Krista Petty talks with Eric Swanson and Rick Rusaw about the externally focused church movement, community transformation, and how congregations can serve beyond their walls.
April 30, 2008
External Focus, Careful Balance
Mark A. Taylor reflects on the challenge of balancing evangelism and social action, urging externally focused churches to bring together good deeds and good news.
February 27, 2008
Interview with Tom Ellsworth
Tom Ellsworth discusses how Beyond Your Backyard calls believers and churches to move beyond comfort zones through relationships and unselfish service, balancing outward community impact with inward discipleship and equipping.
October 14, 2007
TRIED & TRUE: Revivals: Let’s Revive Them!
Dale Wise reflects on the “old-fashioned revival” and why it can still bless a congregation. He shares what worked in his church and offers practical steps—music, preaching, children’s ministry, prayer, and publicity—to help revivals bear fruit.
September 16, 2007
Shining Light by Serving Schools
Colorado churches joined together through Sharefest to serve schools and community organizations with hands-on projects, saving significant labor costs and strengthening local partnerships—then concluded the weekend with a combined worship service and barbeque.
September 9, 2007
Feeding the Hungry
Pat Magness reflects on feeding hungry people at home and around the world, and how Jesus’ meals and miracles reveal that ordinary acts of provision can be holy obedience: “You give them something to eat.”
