The March/April 2026 issue of Christian Standard, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” focuses on friendship—its role in ministry, personal relationships, Christian fellowship, and the life of the church. Through articles on choosing friendship, healing lonely hearts, walking with companions in ministry, responding when friends fail us, and reflecting on Jesus as our friend in John 15, this issue calls believers to pursue faithful, Christ-centered relationships with greater depth, grace, and courage.
Why Can’t We Be Friends? | Christian Standard, March/April 2026
March 1, 2026
Publication Date
In this issue of Christian Standard, we explore the beauty, challenge, and necessity of friendship. From companionship in ministry and Christian community to loneliness, conflict, forgiveness, and the friendship of Jesus himself, these articles invite us to recover a deeper, stronger vision of life together in Christ
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Why Can’t We Be Friends? | Christian Standard, March/April 2026
Display Date:
March/April 2026
Volume:
CLXI
Issue Number:
2
Publication Location:
Parker, CO
Issue Year:
2026
Table of Contents (if available):
2-3 From the Publisher
Think Downward — Jerry Harris
6-7 From the Editor
True Friends — Shawn McMullen
10-11 e2: Effective Elders
Why Can’t We Be Friends? — David Wright
14-15 Engage
What Should We Make of All the Revival Talk Among Young Adults? — Tyler McKenzie
18-19 Preach
Equipping God’s People — Chris Philbeck
22-23 Metrics
Every Superhero Needs a Squad — Kent E. Fillinger
34 Choosing Friendship: The Discipline of Opening Our Lives to Others — Terrence Turman
38 What I Learned About Community From an Immigrant Childhood — Juan Casa del Valle
42 Companions on the Narrow Trail of Ministry — Dave Jones
48 Healing Lonely Hearts — David Faust
54 Debating Differently — Tyler McKenzie
60 When Friends Fail Us: A Christian Response — Bill Mesaeh
66 Tear Down This Wall: Rediscovering Fellowship Among Independent Churches — John Teal
72 Jesus, Our Friend; A Study of John 15:9-17 — Rob O’Lynn
86-87 Motivate
Unexpected Friendships — David Faust
88-97 Ministry Edge
Best Buddies — John Hampton and David Vaughan
Don’t Make My Mistake — Mike Edmisten
Helping Children Build God-Honoring Friendships — Michelle Maris
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Tags
biblical friendship, Bill Mesaeh, Chris Philbeck, Christian Community, Christian friendship, church fellowship, Dave Jones, David Faust, David Vaughan, David Wright, faithful friendships, friendship and conflict, friendship and discipleship, friendship in ministry, friendship in the church, healing loneliness, Jerry Harris, Jesus calls us friends, John 15 friendship, John Hampton, John Teal, Juan Casa De Valle, Kent E. Fillinger, loneliness in ministry, Michelle Maris, Mike Edmisten, ministry friendships, Rob O’Lynn, Shawn McMullen, spiritual friendship, Terrence Turman, Tyler McKenzie
