April 19, 2009
Megachurches: Church Unique
Kent Fillinger highlights survey findings from megachurches and emerging megachurches, urging leaders to pursue unique vision while learning from growth, recession, and baptism trends.
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.
April 19, 2009
Megachurches: By the Numbers
Kent E. Fillinger and Ben Simms report 2008 growth data from megachurches and emerging megachurches, including fastest-growing churches, attendance averages, baptisms, state totals, and overall growth trends.
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.
April 15, 2009
Interview with Gene Appel
Gene Appel discusses megachurches, multisite ministry, Willow Creek’s Reveal study, discipleship, and why churches of every size should pursue the Acts 2 model.
Your Vision”“and Ours
Mark A. Taylor explains why Christian Standard devotes a special issue to megachurches while urging churches to pursue their own God-given vision instead of copying others.
April 9, 2009
MEGACHURCHES: The 2005 List
CHRISTIAN STANDARD’s 2005 megachurch list reports statistics for churches averaging 2,000 or more in weekly attendance and emerging megachurches averaging 1,000 to 1,999.
February 15, 2009
Great Leaders Are Broken
Glen Elliott reflects on learning that effective Christian leadership requires more than strength, competence, and drive. True influence grows through brokenness, dependence, vulnerability, and trust.
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 25, 2009
Stop! in the Name of Love!
Patti Cappa urges ministry leaders to stop working so hard that they neglect family, rest, and love, reminding readers that service must flow from loving God first.
January 11, 2009
A New Opportunity to Reach Kids with VBS
Standard Publishing’s “Studio GO! Game Show” VBS theme combines game-show fun, Scripture learning, and hands-on service to help churches engage children and adults.
January 11, 2009
VBS: Testing the Best
LifeSpring Christian Church helped Standard Publishing field-test its “Studio GO! Game Show” VBS course, giving children a full VBS experience while staff and volunteers evaluated materials for improvement.
January 11, 2009
AKA: Daniel Read
Cincinnati Christian University senior Daniel Read brings humor, warmth, and improvisational energy to Standard Publishing’s “Studio GO! Game Show” VBS as the winsome host Wade Winalot.
January 11, 2009
VBS: The Big Thing
Ryan Frank shares six practical ways children’s ministry leaders can make Vacation Bible School a focused, strategic summer outreach for children, families, and the wider community.
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.
January 4, 2009
Small Groups that Give and Live Graciously
Brian Mavis shares how LifeBridge Christian Church gave small groups half their tithes to invest in ministry, helping members serve needs, grow in generosity, and strengthen community.
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 30, 2008
Form Without Substance?
James Riley Estep Jr. urges congregations to recover substantive Christian education that prepares believers for deeper biblical questions, spiritual transformation, and resilient faith.
November 30, 2008
More Than Fun and Games
Ben Walker challenges churches to move beyond entertainment-driven youth ministry and equip teens with deeper discipleship, apologetics, and worldview training before they leave high school.
