Reading Time: 3 minutes
The past year-plus has been eventful for First Church of Christ in Fairborn, Ohio—the fastest-growing “very small” church in Christian Standard’s 2022 Church Report. . . . The changes include merging, moving, and adopting a new name: New Beginnings Christian Church. . . .
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Rob Raynor of Lakepoint Community Church in Eatonton, Gal., is retiring this summer after nearly 50 years in ministry. His start in ministry was unlikely, and his time in ministry has been innovative. . . .
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Johnson University president Tommy Smith announced today he will retire from his position effective June 30, 2024. “I want what is best for the mission of this university,” Smith said via news release, “and my health situation prevents me from providing the long-term leadership this great work requires.” . . .
Reading Time: 4 minutes
More than 80 years ago, several Christian fathers wrote on the topic, “Why I encouraged my son to be a minister.” Today, we dust off and share two of those responses. The first is from Victor E. Hoven, father of Ard Hoven. The second is from R. C. Foster, father of Lewis Foster.
Reading Time: 4 minutes
The former financial director of Pikes Peak Christian Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., is accused of stealing more than $340,000 from the church, according to a news report. An arrest warrant charges her with 896 counts of financial-related crimes. . . . Plus briefs from Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri.
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Charlie McMahan says SouthBrook Christian Church in Miamisburg, Ohio, took a major step forward last year in its recovery from COVID-19—an event that he compares to the 9/11 terrorist attacks . . . but which had an opposite effect on the church in this country. . . .
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Central Park Christian Church in Topeka, Kan., is planning a “Rooftop Revival” this weekend to bring the community together and help raise funds for the church’s youth ministry. Also briefs about funeral arrangements for Nell Stacy, a new book on Hebrews by Chad Ragsdale, and more. . . .
Reading Time: 3 minutes
A baptistery can make a world of difference. Ocala Christian Church discovered this during 2022 when the small church in central Florida baptized 31 people. That translated into a 27.9 percent baptism ratio (baptisms per 100 in average attendance). . . .
Reading Time: 4 minutes
In the fall of 2020, as COVID restrictions were being eased, my wife and I were church “free agents.” I suggested we try an a cappella congregation I knew in Louisville, Ky. We jumped in, and two years later I joined the staff as involvement minister—a lifelong Christian Church guy now teaching, discipling, and worshipping in four-part harmony. Here are five observations from my experiences serving in an a cappella church. . . .