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March 5, 2012

Christian Standard

NACC 2012: Different, but the Same

By Tom Claibourne Some words just don”t seem to belong together, even though we use them that way all the time. Consider: well-known secret; jumbo shrimp (is there really such a thing?); dead livestock; objective opinion; United Nations; drive-through window (which, in reality, would require a very large window and result in a very angry building owner). Here are two more odd combinations: different and same; convention and refreshing. As much as I have appreciated my experiences at various conventions, conferences, family camps, and clinics, I have departed from most of them with some good insights and a few new

March 5, 2012

Christian Standard

Orlando in July? Can”t Wait!

By Mark A. Taylor In the spirit of full disclosure, let me make my bias perfectly clear: I love Orlando. I love the palm trees and the fountains and the flowers. I love the theme parks with their manufactured adventures and one-of-a-kind experiences. I love the restaurants and the shops and the souvenirs. So when I heard the North American Christian Convention was meeting in Orlando this year, I became an instant advocate. “We”re going to Orlando for the NACC,” I told my wife and anyone else who would listen. And no possible objection has fazed me. “It will be

September 29, 2011

Christian Standard

Bible Bowl: Beyond the Competition

By Robert Spruill Three years from now National Bible Bowl will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Since Bible Bowl”s creation, thousands of youth have benefited from the opportunity it provides for in-depth study of the Scriptures. Each year a portion of the Bible is chosen as the text that serves as the basis for competitions at the local and national tournaments. Participants study that text for the entire Bible Bowl season, which runs from October through May, but extends into June and July for teams that compete beyond local round robin tournaments. Many players memorize all or part of the text

September 27, 2011

Christian Standard

Feeling the Weight

Â By Mark A. Taylor To a casual observer, the North American Christian Convention president”s job may look easy and fun. He gets to make many decisions about the convention program, including the speakers and the lead musicians. In the year before the convention, he is introduced as president before audiences everywhere. Once the convention begins, he flits from one session to another, encouraging leaders and speakers and bringing words of greeting. He has the honor of preaching at the convention”s opening session. But anyone who”s worked behind the scenes at the NACC sees the burden the president takes on. For

September 26, 2011

Christian Standard

Protestors at the NACC: “˜Where the Action Is”

By Darrel Rowland “We’re not out here to turn people to Christ.” So said one of six sign-toting demonstrators (including two children) from Westboro Baptist Church, Topeka, Kansas, who protested outside the North American Christian Convention for about an hour July 7. A woman with an NACC name tag was asking the female protestor about Jesus’ love and whether they thought their message would turn gays and others to Christ. But the protestor said gays are “in the pit”—and, in fact, so was the NACC attender because she had cut her hair, in violation of 1 Corinthians 11. As the

September 26, 2011

Christian Standard

NACC Crowd Reaction: “˜Spiritually Uplifting”

By Darrel Rowland James and Deborah Dixon had no plans to attend the North American Christian Convention. In fact, they hadn”t even heard of it. They traveled from their home in Indianapolis to Cincinnati just to get away for a few days after July 4th. But when they saw the people crowded around the convention center, they decided to check it out. “It was very spiritually uplifting,” James Dixon said. The couple attends New Life Worship Center in Indianapolis. It wasn”t just the newbies giving two thumbs up to this year”s NACC. “I thought it was fantastic,” said Rich Bowie

September 26, 2011

Christian Standard

NACC Diversity: “˜A Giant Leap Forward”

By Darrel Rowland Dudley Rutherford admits it”s his biggest fear: That the recent increasing diversity of the NACC will fade away. “We took a giant leap forward. We cannot afford to take a small step backward. We need to keep pressing the issue,” said Rutherford, who has led the drive to bring more minorities as speakers and to fill other key roles on the platform. Rutherford said he already has written letters to future NACC presidents urging them to continue the convention”s blend of races and ethnicities. “Usually we put one African-American on the stage and call itÂ diversity,” he said.

September 25, 2011

Christian Standard

What a Wonderful Convention!

By Darrel Rowland A blur of scenes from the 2011 North American ChristianÂ Convention in Cincinnati . . . “¢ A pair of preachers, leaders of churches totaling about 30,000 in weekly attendance, breaking down in tears at 1 a.m. in their hotel””then taking pizza to the homeless . . . “¢ Two women riding one step apart on the escalator cackling when they realize they had worn identical blouses that day . . . “¢ Noisy protestors””including one toting a sign saying “Your Pastor Is a Liar”””occupying all four corners of the intersection just outside the main entrance to the

April 25, 2011

Christian Standard

Restore Community Church

By Kent E. Fillinger It all began at the 2007 North American Christian Convention. Church planting was the theme of the gathering in Kansas City, Missouri, that year. And Dave Ferguson, convention vice president and lead pastor of Community Christian Church, Naperville, Illinois, had the idea of using the convention to help launch a new church in Kansas City. Restore Community Church is the result of that vision. Ferguson shared his vision with Troy McMahon, who had been serving with him as campus pastor for Community”s first multisite location, in Romeoville, Illinois, since 1998. Interestingly, McMahon had started as a

February 22, 2011

Christian Standard

We Have Met the Enemy

By Mark A. Taylor Jim Tune says in “Stake” that the NACC is better, but less necessary, than ever. His rationale resonates with that of Gary Weedman who contributed one of several “viewpoints” on the NACC for our September 21, 2008, issue. The NACC was created in 1927 as a reaction to what was seen as encroachment of liberal theology and of “open membership” practiced by missionaries. . . . The majority of the leaders of the International Convention . . . were seen to be supportive, or at least tolerant, of the theological liberalism and practice of open membership.

February 21, 2011

Christian Standard

Interview with Dudley Rutherford

By Brad Dupray Dudley Rutherford is a third-generation minister who has attended the North American Christian Convention for more than 40 years. He is in a family that produces ministers: both brothers, both brothers-in-law, both uncles, and his cousins are also ministers. His ministry of 24 years at Shepherd of the Hills Church in suburban Los Angeles has challenged him to think creatively and diversely. The church has benefited, having grown from 300 to more than 8,000 during his tenure with an ethnic mix that goes beyond just reflecting his community. Dudley earned his undergraduate degree at Ozark Christian College,

February 20, 2011

Christian Standard

A Conference for Women

By Kay Moll “Unleashed . . . for His Glory!” is the theme of the 2011 NACC Women”s Conference, and the program is designed to inspire, encourage, and better equip women in their service for Christ. Special Events Two very special functions for women are planned. The Ladies” Luncheon on Thursday is always a highlight of the conference. The speaker will be Beth Guckenberger who with her husband, Todd, established Back2Back Ministries, which works with 12 children”s homes in Mexico, ministering to more than 500 children and 1,000 impoverished families. Back2Back is now also working in Nigeria and India. Beth

February 19, 2011

Christian Standard

Why I Participate

By Herb Botts “If you build it, he will come!” You might remember that line from the movie Field of Dreams, a mystical presentation about a novice Midwestern farmer who loves baseball so much he builds an actual ball field in the midst of his cornstalks and watches the “greats” of the past gather and play. I believe I can honestly say the folks of the North American Christian Convention are in a similar building process, creating something wonderful and inviting all of us to come. The NACC is offering a program that mirrors God”s Holy Word, to draw “people

February 18, 2011

Christian Standard

The Dynamic NACC Message in a Challenging New Book

By Dudley Rutherford When you read in the Bible about the powerful ministry of Jesus or the revolutionary witness of the first-century church, does a longing well up inside you to capture that same strength and vigor in your personal effectiveness for the kingdom of God? The church in the New Testament impacted the world. It changed culture from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria and to the ends of the earth. The early disciples turned the world upside down with their message, their lives, their commitment, and their passion. Can you imagine today”s church having the same influence in our

February 17, 2011

Christian Standard

Youthful Energy Unleashed

By Joni Sullivan Baker How does the idea of “unleashing” teens and children sound to you? Scary, maybe! But to those planning two dynamic conventions this summer, it”s an apt idea. “Students want and need to be challenged, so they expect a convention that encourages them to be bold and “˜unleashed” for Christ,” said Phyllis Fox, director of church relations and Youth in Ministry (YiM) at Milligan College. YiM produces the NACC Student Convention. “Through dynamic speakers, vibrant worship, and challenging workshops, students will discover how God is calling them to reach their friends, family, and communities for Christ,” Fox

February 16, 2011

Christian Standard

Unleashed: A Preview of the 2011 North American Christian Convention

By Dudley Rutherford Can you imagine what it would have been like to witness the incredible day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit of God was unleashed upon the first-century church? With the sound of rushing winds and the appearance of tongues of fire, the church was supernaturally anointed and given great power, passion, and boldness. In that moment, the church was unleashed upon the world . . . and it turned the world upside down. I believe we Christians read about the New Testament church in the book of Acts with a sense of awe and excitement. I believe

February 16, 2011

Christian Standard

An Invitation from the NACC President

It is my earnest desire that after attending this year”s NACC, you and I””God”s church””will never be the same. If you have not been to the NACC in recent years, you may not be aware of the truly remarkable conventions we have been having. The NACC is the place to connect and network with people of the same faith. Men, women, ministers, missionaries, and educators from around the world come for a spiritually rejuvenating time of worship, fellowship, Bible studies, workshops, preaching, and teaching from some of the best Christian leaders in the country. I think it is the best

February 16, 2011

Christian Standard

Through the Week at the 2011 NACC

The 2011 North American Christian Convention takes place from July 5-8 at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Here is a basic schedule of events: TUESDAY, JULY 5 8:30 a.m.”“4:30 p.m.: Restoration Heritage Tour (includes lunch) 8:30 a.m.”“4:30 p.m.: Creation Museum Tour (includes lunch) Noon: Standard Publishing Luncheon 2:00 p.m.: UNLEASHED Web Site Seminar 3:00 p.m.: Exhibit Hall opens 7:00 p.m.: Evening Main Session with Dudley C. Rutherford 8:30 p.m.: NACC President”s Opening Night Reception (immediately following the Main Session) 8:30 p.m.: College Showcase 10:00 p.m.: Exhibit Hall closes WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 7:30 a.m.: NACC Ministry Networking Breakfast

January 20, 2011

Christian Standard

Blogging About the NACC

Join the NACC conversation! Not only is the North American Christian Convention a great annual gathering, it”s also a great thought-provoker. This year convention leaders are thinking about the challenging themes of this year”s convention main sessions. Read and comment on their blog posts at a new site, NACC Conversations, every week between now and the convention, July 5-8 in Cincinnati.

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