December 20, 2021
Dec. 26 | Discovery
The Sadducees’ view of life was very limited: we live, we die, that’s it. How do you think that kind of viewpoint would affect a person’s life?
Church & Ministry
Church & Ministry equips leaders and everyday believers to build healthy, gospel-centered congregations. Explore biblically grounded articles on church leadership, preaching and teaching, eldership, staff and volunteer development, discipleship systems, small groups, church planting, church growth, and ministry strategy. You’ll also find practical guidance for navigating transitions, cultivating congregational health, and serving your community with wisdom and compassion. Whether you’re a pastor, elder, ministry staff member, volunteer leader, or church member who wants to help your church thrive, this hub brings together resources to strengthen the local church and advance Christ’s mission.
December 15, 2021
Seniors Make Over 600 Cards for Healthcare Workers (Plus News Briefs)
Over the past year and a half, residents from the Christian Village at Mason, Ohio—a senior living community—have expressed their gratitude to Cincinnati healthcare workers by sending more than 600 handmade cards. Plus news briefs from ICOM, Forest Grove Christian Church, and more.
December 13, 2021
Dec. 19 | Discovery
Through the rest of the Christmas season, how will you follow the shepherds’ example of spreading “the word concerning what had been told them about this child”?
December 6, 2021
Dec. 12 | Discovery
If you had been one of Jesus’ three disciples present with him on the mountain, what would have been most surprising to you?
November 29, 2021
Dec. 5 | Discovery
How does the centurion’s intercession for his servant and the Jewish leaders’ intercession for the centurion reflect, in a way, Jesus’ intercession for us?
November 17, 2021
Lots of Socks: CrossCity Hosts Record-Setting Event for Mission Partner
People driving past CrossCity Christian Church in Fresno, Calif., saw a rather incredible sight Saturday—about 90,000 pairs of new socks hanging on 7.4 miles of clothesline.
November 9, 2021
Virginia Church Transforms Horse Farm into First Permanent Home
LifePointe Christian Church in Toano, Va., which started in 2006, is finally moving into its first permanent home—a horse farm on 10 acres it purchased in 2018.
November 1, 2021
Your Sermon This Week Matters!
A Letter from a Fellow Preacher
November 1, 2021
How Churches Are Serving Their Communities
By Kent E. Fillinger Some churches create “holy huddles” that are internally focused and address only the needs of their own members. Their mantra could be, “Us four, no more, close the door!” Other churches are more externally focused and spend time, energy, and resources serving their local communities and meeting practical needs. Church leaders should periodically ask, “If our church were to close today, would our community realize it and miss us?” Answering that question will help a church assess where they fall on the internally focused versus externally focused spectrum. Local Community Involvement Our annual church survey for
November 1, 2021
COMPELLED TO CELEBRATE
Expressions of Gratitude Mattered to God and His People in the Old Testament, and They Still Matter Today
October 28, 2021
Study Finds No Change in Senior Pastors Leaving Ministry, Despite COVID-19 Challenges
A comparison of Lifeway Research studies from 2015 and 2021 indicates that, despite the challenges of COVID-19, there has been virtually no change in the number of evangelical and historically Black Protestant senior pastors leaving the pulpit each year.
September 16, 2021
THROWBACK THURSDAY: The Fellowship of Elders
A committee devoted to strengthening the elderships of our churches formed in 1942 and sponsored a series of columns in Christian Standard throughout 1943. As part of their introductory article, they shared an “Elder’s Achievement Chart” that most elders should find interesting.
September 15, 2021
Safe Parking Ministry Helps Segment of Homeless Population
Overlake Christian Church's Safe Parking Ministry—for people who don't have homes but do have cars—has been helping with the spiritual and material needs of this segment of the homeless population since 2015.
September 15, 2021
Three New Churches Launch (Plus News Briefs)
Three churches had their first official worship service on Sunday: Accelerate Church of Camden County, N.J., Beacon Christian Church of Derry, N.H., and Elevate Christian Church in Lexington, Ky.
September 14, 2021
Where Have All the Deacons Gone? (Part 3 of 3)
Part 3 of 3: What the Bible Says About Deaconesses — The evidence is disputed, but I believe women did and do serve in this capacity—often without the title.
September 7, 2021
Where Have All the Deacons Gone? (Part 2 or 3)
Part 2 of 3: Who to Select and How They Should Function — Four scriptural texts help shape our understanding . . .
September 1, 2021
Why Are Christian Leaders Falling?
Why are so many Christian leaders falling? In a blog post on Crosswalk.com, pastor, professor, and writer James Emery White suggests three explanations: the celebration of ability over character, an eradication of accountability, and the fact that leaders today are often put on a pedestal and believe the press reports about themselves. White’s assessment seems accurate, but I believe there’s a deeper cause underneath these reasons. It’s a heart issue (see Matthew 15:8, 18-19; Ephesians 4:18; etc.) and a sovereignty issue. For many years in my teaching and one-on-one discipleship I’ve used a graphic developed by Campus Crusade for Christ,
September 1, 2021
Look After My Sheep . . . and You’re a Sheep Too!
Before I went to theological college to train for the ministry, I worked in a Christian bookstore. My official role was to manage the music department. It was a fun job that allowed me to play the latest Christian music over the store’s sound system. This usually led to a tug-of-war between me and Hazel, the bookstore’s manager. Hazel liked the music soft; I liked the music loud. In fairness to Hazel, she liked to be able to converse with customers without having to yell. I thought turning the bookstore into a dance floor would stimulate more music sales. Of
September 1, 2021
The Pastor’s Most Rewarding Ministry
As I look back over 50 years in ministry, my wife and I have been blessed in so many ways. We have had the opportunity to serve in churches of all sizes with staff members and elders who love God. We’ve had some difficult situations and struggles, but most of our experiences have been positive. Watching lives change as people accept Jesus has been a great joy. By far, my greatest reward in ministry has been seeing all of my children and grandchildren become Christ followers. All three of my children are in full-time ministry and several of my grandchildren
September 1, 2021
The High Call of Preaching
I’m sure every preacher can think of a time when they were convinced God had given them a life-changing, church-altering message. I’m talking about a message born out of significant time alone with God and his Word. I’m referring to a message that grew inside of the preacher’s heart for some time as the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, led them into all truth. I remember a weekend like that at the church I serve. I was convinced my message that week had a special anointing from God. I believed it was a message that could change lives as
