October 21, 2007
Why and How Your Church Should Use Name Tags
A workshop on name tags sounded silly—until a church communicator saw how they help guests feel known, strengthen follow-up, and even track attendance in new worship sites.
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.
October 21, 2007
Welcome Back! How Some Churches Work to See Visitors Return
Practical follow-up helps first-time guests return and connect. Learn how four growing churches gather visitor information, make personal contact, and invite newcomers into lunches, groups, and serving teams.
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.
October 14, 2007
TRIED & TRUE: Vacation Bible School
A Plainfield Christian Church leader shares a memorable VBS offering moment—and practical principles for planning, training workers, involving staff, and building relationships to help Vacation Bible School thrive.
October 10, 2007
Moving Beyond “Common”
Barney Wells challenges smaller-church leaders to reject “common” ministry and pursue uncommon impact. Drawing on Satchel Paige and Philip in Acts 8, this piece urges innovation rooted in reaching people and following God’s direction.
October 7, 2007
Real Relationship
Relationship is essential to the church’s teamwork and mission. Jim Putman explains why leaders need honest friendships, unity, and encouragement to model love, resist isolation, and serve with spiritual endurance.
September 19, 2007
Interview with Troy McMahon
Troy McMahon’s Route to Church Planting Troy McMahon has taken the nontraditional route to becoming a church planter. After years of leadership in the Navy and at General Mills, he joined the staff of Community Christian Church outside of Chicago and is now moving his family to Kansas City to launch a new church. McMahon describes how his background in engineering, the Navy, and manufacturing shaped his call to vocational ministry. He shares the turning points that moved him from multisite ministry into church planting. He outlines the Kansas City vision, timeline, and early steps toward a March 2, 2008
September 16, 2007
The Emerging Church Phenomenon
A look at the emerging church movement—its beginnings, key voices, and defining practices—plus a careful distinction between “emerging” and “Emergent,” and a critique that also notes strengths in authenticity and mission.
September 16, 2007
Emerging, Emergent, Missional: What’s the Difference?
Gary Zustiak explains the differences between emerging, Emergent, and missional churches, clarifying how each term relates to postmodern culture, Scripture, theology, and community engagement.
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 12, 2007
Interview with Ben Merold
Veteran minister Ben Merold reflects on church growth, encouraging small-church leaders, and reaching the culture without selling out. He shares practical wisdom from decades of preaching and leading Harvester Christian Church.
September 9, 2007
A Transforming Community
On April 19, 2007, Atlanta Christian College canceled classes for Spring Ministry Day, sending more than 300 students, faculty, and staff to serve together at City of Refuge in downtown Atlanta.
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.”
September 5, 2007
Earthly Hurts and an Eternal Perspective
Mark A. Taylor reflects on the church’s renewed commitment to compassion and community outreach—while urging believers not to lose sight of eternity, sin, and salvation as they serve “the least of these.”
August 26, 2007
A Christian Church Opportunity
As U.S. population shifts, Christian churches must plant more congregations where growth is happening. This article surveys “static cities,” emerging regions, and cooperative networks, urging churches to respond to migration patterns with bold, sustained church planting.
August 26, 2007
Two Christians Pursue Paths to Unity:
Bill Westfall reflects on God’s guidance through decades of ministry and a surprising new season of unity at Boise State University, where prayer and a shared focus on Jesus are helping campus ministers become imitators of him.
August 22, 2007
Can the Church Impact Culture?
Church leaders share how congregations can impact culture by going beyond their walls—serving schools, shelters, and neighborhoods—while keeping disciple-making central, not merely counting how many newcomers were never part of a church.
August 12, 2007
We Turned Vision into Action
Mount Pleasant Christian Church built a six-week “Imagine” series on Matthew 25 and paired each message with action—food and clothing drives, orphan support, AIDS caregiver kits for Zimbabwe, and focused prayer for the persecuted church.
August 12, 2007
Ministering to the Least of These: Southland Christian Church, Lexington, KY
Southland Christian Church shares how it addresses HIV/AIDS and world hunger through global partnerships and local outreach. Learn how ministries in Africa and initiatives in Lexington aim to break cycles of need through care, support, and discipleship.
August 5, 2007
Still Alive
Using the “bilge pump” parable, Phil Scott warns that maintenance can’t stop long-term decline and urges congregations toward courageous leadership, innovation, and aggressive evangelism beyond the safety of the harbor.
