What Is the Church? | Christian Standard, January 2017 is a focused issue on the identity, mission, and health of the church. Built around the cover question “What Is the Church?”, this issue gathers biblical teaching, leadership reflection, ministry stories, and practical examples to help readers think carefully about what the church is and what the church is called to do.
Visible contents begin with Mark Scott’s biblical definitions of the church, followed by Alan Ahlgrim’s articles on leadership pressures and the need to redefine success by more faithful measures. Jeff Faull draws from Revelation’s lampstand imagery to offer a framework for understanding the church, and five ministry leaders explain why they love the church in articles shaped by service, reconciliation, mission, and hope. Ethan Magness examines disciple making as the church’s core mission, while Shawn McMullen profiles smaller churches that continue to make a difference in their communities.
The issue also highlights practical ministry in action. Andy Daniell tells how a struggling church connected with teens, Jon Hembree writes about offering hope to children, Jennifer Johnson explores steps toward healthier church leaders and healthier churches, Glen Elliott revisits what it means to be the church, and Larry W. Timm shares a story of fear and faith in a minister’s family.
For readers researching the identity and mission of the church, What Is the Church? | Christian Standard, January 2017 offers a substantial snapshot of how church leaders were grounding ministry in Scripture, discipleship, community, and long-term faithfulness.
