September 1, 2024
Latino Christian Movement: Planting Networks of Hispanic Churches
Latino Christian Mission trains and equips Latino pastors to start new churches in their communities and to maintain them over time.
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.
August 6, 2024
One Year Later: Cornerstone Christian Church’s Response to the Maui Wildfires
One year after the devastating Maui wildfires, the Cornerstone Christian Church has found a way to use the tragedy to share the love of Jesus.
A Listing of Restoration Movement Podcasts
Christian Standard created this listing of regularly produced podcasts loosely defined as “Restoration Movement” podcasts. The theme-driven podcasts in the top portion of this listing are produced by Christian churches and organizations. The podcasts at the bottom are individual churches’ weekly sermons/messages. . . .
‘Preaching with No Regrets’
Most every preacher will tell you they have a certain number of regrets in their life when it comes to ministry. I certainly do. But I don’t want to have any regrets when it comes to preaching. . . .
Future-Thinking Elders
Are we content with mediocrity and satisfied with the status quo? Do we ache to be more effective in our leadership efforts? . . .
Forming the Faith of the Next Generation: The Urgency of Shaping Worldview
John S. Dickerson warns that mission drift can take root over time and calls the Restoration Movement to prioritize spiritual and intellectual formation. His Youth Worldview Initiative aims to help students “hold to” Jesus’ teaching across generations.
Church Planting in the Restoration Movement
Churches are being started by regional networks all over the country, in all kinds of places. . . .
Leading Through Preaching
Joshua was leading through preaching. He was wielding leadership influence through the proclamation of his words and the witness of his life. Let’s follow that example.
THROWBACK THURSDAY: Thistle’s ‘Seven Multisyllabic Mistakes in Preaching’ (1990)
In this "Epistle from Thistle," the columnist and correspondent describes (in his own unique way) "seven multisyllabic mistakes, or 'speaking faults,' preachers or, I suppose, any public speaker can make." . . .
May 15, 2024
Ministry Help Wanted
Recent postings: A director of campus ministry is needed at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Stillwater (Pa.) Christian Church is looking for both a lead pastor and a youth pastor. Lexington (Ohio) Church of Christ is seeking a full-time senior minister. Norwin Christian Church in North Huntingdon, Pa., needs a full-time worship minister. 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. And more . . .
Long-Tenured Pastors Say Love Is Key to Their Staying
What does it take to pastor a church for the long haul? Christian Standard posed this question to Bob Stevens who has served with Allensburg Church of Christ in Ohio for 40 years; Jerran Jackson, 44-year minister with Clarksburg (Indiana) Christian Church; and David Simpson, pastor with Lanier Christian Church in Georgia for 48 years. . . .
The State of Elder Teams in Independent Restoration Churches
An honest assessment of where we are as a movement when it comes to elders and their leadership. . . .
Leading Through Preaching
By Chris Philbeck I’m writing this at the beginning of a new year. For many people a new year marks the opportunity for new beginnings. It’s a time when many make resolutions like losing weight, getting out of debt, or ending a bad habit. The beginning of 2024 is significant for me because it marks an ending. I began full-time vocational ministry in May 1980, and I intend to retire from it on June 30, 2024. When I graduated from Bible college in 1980, all I wanted to do was be a preacher. Because I was young and inexperienced, I
A Church-Planting Church: The Legacy and Impact of East 91st Street Christian Church
E91’s church-planting impact and legacy have added mightily to the Restoration Movement’s tremendous growth. . . .
April 30, 2024
Historic Canton, Ohio, Church to Open New Campus
After two years of strong growth, First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio, is expanding. The historic church—once led by P. H. Welshimer—hopes to open its first campus location this fall. The church in November spent $2.1 million on a 33,000-square-foot building on 5 acres on the southwest side of Canton. . . .
April 22, 2024
April 28 Study | Resurrection
The resurrection (both Jesus’ and ours) makes a mockery of death. It is the ultimate joke on the devil. . . .
April 22, 2024
April 28 Application | ‘Of First Importance’
Jesus Christ is risen indeed! Aren’t you glad? The miracle of Jesus’ resurrection is the turning point of history, the backbone of biblical theology, and the foundation of the Christian faith. . . .
April 22, 2024
April 28 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Resurrection” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 16-27, 50-58), by Mark Scott.
April 15, 2024
April 21 Study | Love
Who would deny that love is one of the largest (if not the largest) themes of Scripture? It is the most descriptive characteristic of God himself (1 John 4:8). . . .
April 15, 2024
April 21 Application | ‘Unselfies’
“In the past,” a friend pointed out recently, “when people were outside enjoying nature, they photographed the scenery. . . . Now, we turn the camera the other direction and take pictures of ourselves.”
