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.
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 27, 2008
Engaging the University
Buzz Roberts urges churches to engage college students with authentic friendship, spiritual courage, and a willingness to meet them on campus with the hope of Christ.
April 27, 2008
Recovery at Virginia Tech
One year after the Virginia Tech shootings, Steve Wilkin reflects on grief, spiritual openness, and how campus ministries helped students move toward healing and stronger faith.
April 23, 2008
Interview with Lee Snyder
Lee Snyder reflects on the value of campus ministry, the spiritual needs of university students, and how churches can prepare young believers for college.
Why Bible Bowl?
Bible Bowl is more than a quiz game. Players and coaches describe how it strengthens Scripture knowledge, shapes humility and teamwork, builds lasting friendships, and creates discipleship connections that can influence ministry paths and Christian education decisions.
April 20, 2008
A Senior Minister’s View of Bible Bowl
Dale Harlow explains why Bible Bowl remains one of the strongest tools he’s found to motivate youth Bible study and Scripture memorization—and why the benefits last well beyond competition.
April 20, 2008
Our Expanded Vision to Answer the Call
Andy Hansen shares how Christ In Youth hopes to amplify a unifying call for youth ministry—inviting students to live as kingdom workers, supporting local churches, and building momentum through MOVE conferences and online community.
And the Award Goes to . . .
A quick “awards” roundup comparing emerging megachurches and megachurches across attendance growth, senior minister tenure, worship-service counts, multisite reach, baptisms per giving, missions participation, church planting, and per-person generosity.
Ministry Innovations and Changes
Megachurch and emerging megachurch leaders share ministry examples tied to growth—from outreach and new worship venues to staffing, small-group focus, and strategic changes that helped their churches expand.
April 13, 2008
How Healthy Are Our Megachurches? (An Introduction)
Christian Standard’s annual megachurch issue expands its reporting with more analysis, health indicators, and an interview with Kent Fillinger. Learn about the 2007 Megachurch Report: Deluxe Edition and how readers can help identify missing churches.
April 13, 2008
The Best Indicator of Church Growth
Baptisms reveal whether churches are reaching the lost or just shifting believers. This article examines megachurch baptism ratios, giving-per-baptism figures, and why retaining new disciples matters for long-term growth.
April 13, 2008
And They Met Every Day (Almost)
Megachurches and emerging megachurches are offering worship services on multiple days and in multiple styles. Research across 113 churches suggests certain patterns—especially two service days and one or three worship styles—correlate with stronger growth.
By the Numbers (Megachurches and Emerging Megachurches)
Kent Fillinger and Ben Simms summarize 2007 megachurch attendance, growth trends, Easter attendance, baptisms, state-by-state counts, and leading churches by growth and baptism ratio.
April 13, 2008
Multisite Momentum
Multisite ministry is rising among megachurches and emerging megachurches, with growth data that looks promising but not automatic. This article explores what the numbers suggest—and why long-term commitment matters.
April 9, 2008
Interview with Kent Fillinger
Kent Fillinger explains how megachurch metrics can become meaningful for smaller congregations, why adaptability matters, and how leadership transitions and succession planning may shape the movement’s future.
April 9, 2008
About Megachurches, for Every Church
This annual megachurch issue celebrates growth and baptisms while noting recent declines, offering smaller churches practical insights and pointing readers to the 2007 Megachurch Report: Deluxe Edition.
March 26, 2008
Stability Through Paralysis: posted 3/26/2008
A longtime church planter reflects on how new methods once sparked excitement, how age can crave stability, and why older leaders may look grumpy even when they’re grateful for bold, faithful change.
March 9, 2008
An Epidemic of Selfishness
Personal preferences can quietly become roadblocks to evangelism and growth. David Bycroft calls the church to Paul’s others-first attitude and offers practical ways congregations can cultivate selflessness for the sake of reaching the lost.
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.
February 24, 2008
The Polysite Church
A ministry leader asks what to do for people who won’t step into a church service. Dave Ferguson explores why multisite isn’t enough for many and calls churches to become “polysite” in everyday places.
