May 28, 2026
Preaching to Broken Hearts
A hospital-room visit early in ministry shaped Chris Philbeck’s approach to preaching. He urges pastors to reflect God’s heart by preaching with clarity and compassion to weary, burdened, brokenhearted people.
Church Leadership
Church Leadership equips pastors, elders, ministry staff, and volunteer leaders to lead with biblical conviction, humility, and wisdom. Explore practical, Scripture-shaped guidance on leading teams, developing leaders, casting vision, making decisions, and building a healthy ministry culture. You’ll also find help for navigating conflict, communication, accountability, and the spiritual formation of leaders—so leadership flows from character, not just competence. Whether you’re stepping into leadership for the first time or carrying long-term responsibility, these resources aim to strengthen your leadership for the good of the church and the mission of Jesus.
Going Steady
David Faust reflects on biblical steadfastness, urging believers, parents, workers, preachers, and elders to stand firm, stay faithful, and remain steady in an unstable world.
Your Ministry Matters
In this Editor’s note, Shawn McMullen encourages church leaders—especially in small congregations—to remember that every faithful ministry matters. Prioritize personal holiness and depth with Christ, and trust God with the breadth of the impact.
March 13, 2026
Best Buddies
John Hampton and David Vaughan share lessons from more than four decades of friendship shaped by ministry, shared history, and golf. Their “buddy-building blocks” highlight intentionality, grace, loyalty, and finishing well together.
March 13, 2026
Don’t Make My Mistake
Mike Edmisten shares how years of ministry left him isolated from other pastors—and how introversion, busyness, and insecurity fed the problem. His warning becomes an invitation to pursue life-giving ministry friendships and shared burdens.
March 13, 2026
Why Can’t We Be Friends?
David Wright urges church elders to move beyond agendas into genuine friendship. He names common barriers, calls for humility and grace, and offers practical ways to build trust, unity, and a stronger leadership witness.
March 13, 2026
Equipping God’s People
Chris Philbeck reflects on leading a preaching cohort and the biblical call to equip God’s people. He shares how preaching becomes most powerful when Scripture first transforms the preacher and produces authenticity that can’t be faked.
March 13, 2026
Every Superhero Needs a Squad
Kent Fillinger uses superhero teams to encourage pastors not to serve in isolation. He highlights rising pastoral loneliness and offers practical ways solo ministers can find support, accountability, and encouragement through trusted ministry relationships.
March 13, 2026
Companions on the Narrow Trail of Ministry
Ministry can feel like a narrow trail with limited visibility. Dave Jones shares how friendships with elders, staff, and fellow preachers helped him endure lonely seasons and lead with humility, unity, and courage.
March 13, 2026
Choosing Friendship: The Discipline of Opening Our Lives to Others
Terrence Turman argues friendship is a neglected spiritual discipline for many pastors and ministry leaders. Citing research on loneliness, he offers practical nudges for living as a Christian first, building community, and keeping friendships alive.
January 20, 2026
The International Conference On Missions Announces New Executive Director
ICOM has announced Rob Maupin as its next Executive Director, succeeding David Empson after 25 years of leadership. Maupin will begin as transitional director April 1 and assume the role September 1.
If God’s Power Was Real, Guys Like Philip Yancey Wouldn’t Fail After 55+ Years
Tyler McKenzie reacts to Philip Yancey’s moral failure with grief, anger, and sobriety—then points to confession, repentance, and grace. He argues God’s power is often clearest in the humbled and desperate.
January 12, 2026
Fresh Bread and Core Values
David Faust urges churches to live their mission statements and core values—not just display them. Grounded in faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13) and Israel’s daily manna, he calls for fresh, daily obedience.
Why I’m Optimistic About the Future of Christian Higher Education, and Why You Should Be Too
The public may have lost confidence in higher education more generally, yet I believe we may be entering another golden era in Christian higher education.
January 1, 2026
Preach the Real Gospel
Discernment isn’t knowing the difference between right and wrong; it’s knowing the difference between right and almost right. Almost right will never be enough when it comes to someone’s eternal destiny.
January 1, 2026
Leading Through the Hand-Off: Lessons in Pastoral Transition
With careful planning, clear communication, financial foresight, and sensitivity to personalities, churches can not only survive transitions, they can thrive through them.
Bearing The Standard of The Movement for 160 Years
The year 2026 marks Christian Standard’s 160th anniversary, underscoring our long history and deep connection with The Restoration Movement.
January 1, 2026
How Do You Retire When Your Successor Ain’t Ready?
If you’ve spent your career walking with Jesus, your last days should be your best days, not your worst. Jesus’ last moments before his death were spent pouring himself completely out for us.
January 1, 2026
Obergefell, Kim Davis, and Same-Sex Marriage … Reflecting on the Last 10 Years
It’s not enough for us to believe that God’s Word has something to say about the issues of our time. We must also desire to model a better way of discussing them.
January 1, 2026
Succession and the Church
Few churches handle lead minister succession well, but there are four steps for an effective succession PLAN (Prepare, Look Ahead, Assess, Navigate).
