February 17, 2010
My Own Holy Land Testimony
Mark A. Taylor reflects on visits to Israel and Jordan, remembering the Sea of Galilee, the Garden Tomb, Mount Nebo, and the spiritual depth of Holy Land travel.
Discipleship & Spiritual Formation
Discipleship & Spiritual Formation focuses on becoming more like Jesus through lifelong growth in faith, character, and obedience. Explore Bible-based articles on following Christ, spiritual disciplines, prayer, Scripture reading, community, and the habits that shape a mature disciple. You’ll find practical guidance for mentoring, accountability, repentance, perseverance, and cultivating a gospel-centered life in every season. Whether you’re learning the basics of discipleship or helping others grow, these resources equip you to form disciples who love God, love people, and live on mission.
What Will Make My Next Decade Different?
Mark A. Taylor reflects on spiritual goal setting, personal growth, and the need to measure maturity beyond church activity and busy programs.
One Man”s Changing View from an Ugly Couch
Brandon Smith reflects on how good things—ministry, reputation, work, and busyness—can crowd out the best things: knowing Christ, loving family well, and choosing spiritual freedom.
January 31, 2010
Forgiving Ourselves
John Mark Hicks reflects on self-forgiveness as the acceptance of God’s forgiveness, showing how grace, confession, and Christian community help believers move beyond shame.
December 20, 2009
The Ironic Opportunity of Christmas
Ethan Magness reflects on how the church can redeem Christmas culture by recovering Advent, Mary’s song, and the incarnation as a model for embodied Christian ministry.
December 9, 2009
Surrender Comes Slowly
Mark A. Taylor reflects on surgery, health concerns, and the slow lesson of surrendering control to God through uncertainty, waiting, and physical weakness.
November 22, 2009
Revolution
Glen Elliott calls Christians to join the kingdom revolution Jesus began, moving beyond passive religion into courageous service, sacrifice, and difference-making in the world.
November 15, 2009
Can We Become Better Discipling Churches?
Derek Duncan challenges churches to move beyond weekend-centered programming and build relational discipleship pathways that equip believers for leadership, mission, community engagement, and Great Commission living.
Loving Those Who Annoy You
Jan Johnson reflects on loving difficult people through prayer, confession, silence, and service, showing how God cultivates a heart of goodwill even in ordinary irritation.
Tell Us Your Read!
Mark A. Taylor reflects on Pat Williams’s challenge to keep reading and introduces Christian Standard contributors’ book recommendations for leaders and readers.
September 16, 2009
Put on Your Shoes
Mark A. Taylor reflects on simple obedience, biblical examples, and the next faithful step God asks us to take while we trust him with the larger outcome.
August 23, 2009
To the Best of My Ability
Glen Elliott contrasts religious performance with grace-filled discipleship, showing how guidance, freedom, and relationship help people follow Jesus well without turning faith into another grading chart.
Interview with Dean Trune
Dean Trune discusses soul care, spiritual disciplines, coaching, character, self-awareness, and how ministers and believers can build their lives around a deeper relationship with God.
Choosing My Focus, Protecting My Ministry
Ministry burnout reveals the need for spiritual health among church leaders. Anne Jackson’s counsel reminds servants of the church to keep God—not work, calling, or success—at the center.
My Journey Toward Self-Discovery and Understanding the World
Derek L. Duncan reflects on humility, literature, and faith through Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Birthmark,” showing how Scripture helps Christians discern truth beyond self-reliance.
May 13, 2009
The Final Challenge
Mark A. Taylor challenges readers to keep serving faithfully through every season of life, stewarding experience, wisdom, and opportunity until the final lap.
Keep Reading!
Derek Duncan encourages Christians to keep reading deeply, stretch their minds through challenging books, discuss important ideas with others, and keep Scripture at the center of spiritual growth.
February 22, 2009
Just What Is Christian Spirituality?
Neal Windham defines Christian spirituality as a conscious, authentic relationship with the triune God that shapes prayer, practice, formation, and holistic life integration.
February 22, 2009
What the Monks Can Teach Us
J.K. Jones reflects on how ancient monks and nuns, despite their flaws, can mentor modern Christians in disciplined, Scripture-tested devotion to God.
February 22, 2009
Spiritual Growth at Manchester Christian Church
Josh Peigh describes how intentional discipleship at Manchester Christian Church helps people pursue spiritual growth through worship, small groups, planning, mentoring, and recovery support.
