Series: Columns

Their Guide, and Yours

By Mark A. Taylor Haven”t you been enjoying our 2011 Bible feature “The Bible, My Guide”? Many of the entries, although by known writers, share details about their lives or conversions or spiritual practices new to many of us. We can”t list every one of them here, but as I reflect on the columns we”ve printed so far, several stand out in my memory: Nancy Karpenske Janet McMahon Pat Magness Doug Lucas Chris Travis Tony Twist Diane Stortz Brandon Smith Kay Moll Michael Sweeney Wayne Shaw If you missed any of these, you”ll do yourself a favor

July 10, 2011

A Lifetime of New Discoveries

By Wayne E. Shaw As a youth, my only Bible was the King James, and the first 500 verses of Scripture I was challenged to memorize were from that translation. Every day I placed Scripture portions on my knee while milking, repeated my verses to the cows, and later recited them to my mother who tallied what I had memorized. I am amazed at how many of those verses I can still quote, having memorized them nearly 70 years ago. I am thankful for the Bible”s impact on me during those formative years. My parents saw to it my siblings

July 8, 2011

Our “˜God Is Able” Verse

By Dennis Bratton He walked into the classroom and drew three stair steps on the blackboard. On the bottom rung he wrote “To Know.” On the second rung he wrote “To Feel.” And finally the third rung received the phrase “To Do.” This was J.B. Richardson”s formula for Christian education, and I never forgot it. I like things that are simple, make sense, and work. When preaching, for instance, I would use the “stair steps” to evaluate the sermon. To Know“”what is the truth this sermon exposes? To Feel“”is the truth presented in a way that can reach the heart

July 7, 2011

Church Hosts Free Sports Camp for Third Year

The Amelia (OH) Church of Christ held its third-annual free sports camp June 19-24. More than 250 kids from kindergarten through fifth grade attended the event to participate in basketball, cheerleading, soccer, martial arts, and other games. ACC volunteers taught kids about being a good sport and children”s minister Marie Young led songs. The week ended with an open house, ice cream, and giveaways on Friday night. The annual camp is sponsored by a number of businesses including Skyline Chili, Sam”s Club, and the University of Cincinnati. Click here to learn more.

July 7, 2011

Church, City Partner for Fireworks

Central Christian Church of the East Valley”s Gilbert, AZ, campus held its first “Fire in the Sky” Fourth of July fireworks celebration last summer. This year, the city of Gilbert is helping. “The mayor reached out to the church and asked if they would allow the greater community to participate in the church event,” reports the Arizona Republic. “”˜We feel extremely honored,” church spokesman Matt Price said. “˜Our goal as an organization is to partner with the community. . . . It’s a huge win to both of our organizations.”” Gilbert approved $7,500 in expenses for the celebration including traffic

July 4, 2011

Pantano Christian Battles Poverty with Microloans

By Jennifer Taylor In May, Pantano Christian Church (Tucson, AZ) gave away $25,000″”and asked the recipients to give the same. The money, which the church received as a grant, was offered to members of the PCC community to involve them in a microloan program with Kiva, a nonprofit organization that helps donors provide small loans ($25 or more) to help entrepreneurs around the world escape poverty by starting small businesses. PCC members could participate in the program by committing a small amount of their own money and receiving matching funds from the church. A $12.50 donation would result in $25″”the

July 2, 2011

“˜God Bless America”

By Mark A. Taylor More than a decade ago, my congregation hosted a patriotic pageant each year called “Sea to Shining Sea.” We had a huge adult choir, a children”s choir, a live orchestra, actors, and dancers. We welcomed color guards from all the armed services. We sang every patriotic song you know, including one that invited veterans from every branch of the service to stand and receive the cheers of the crowd. Fireworks accompanied the songs, and after the last note, everyone sat with necks craned to the sky and enjoyed 20 minutes of the rockets” red glare. Our

July 1, 2011

A Church Planting Milestone in Canada

By Jennifer Taylor According to Jim Tune, senior minister with Churchill Meadows Christian Church and director of Impact Ministry Group (both Ontario, Canada), the area is home to only six other Christian churches””and their combined attendance is less than 500. So CMCC”s new building””and the more than 1,200 people who attended the opening services in March””is a milestone for Canadian church planting. “Churches are closing faster in Canada than any other area, including Western Europe,” Tune says. “Church just isn”t on the radar. In fact, people assumed our building was an industrial complex or school because they don”t have

June 30, 2011

Discipleship & Spiritual Formation Spiritual Disciplines

Mission & Evangelism

NASCAR Driver Gives Orphan Care a Boost

Standard Publishing author Beth Guckenberger has teamed up with NASCAR driver Michael McDowell to promote orphan care. Guckenberger, director of Back2Back Ministries, is a veteran of efforts to help impoverished children across the globe, with a focus in Mexico, Nigeria, and India. But this is the first time NASCAR has been a part of the solution. McDowell, an up-and-coming NASCAR rookie, wants to do his part to support Guckenberger”s ministry. That includes putting the cover of Guckenberger”s newest book Relentless Hope on his car as he competes in the Quaker State 400 at the Kentucky Speedway July 9. He”ll also

June 30, 2011

Michael Sweeney

I Owe It All to a Bad Hoagie Sandwich

From an uncertain 18-year-old to missionary and seminary president, Michael Sweeney reflects on how James 1:5 and a persistent prayer for wisdom guided him through decades of unexpected decisions.

June 29, 2011

Author Spending Time in Joplin

Author Dave Pelzer volunteers with College Heights Christian Church in Joplin, Missouri, helping foster families and supporting recovery efforts while praising the church’s organized response to community needs.

June 29, 2011

Culture & Public Square Politics & Government

2|42 Community Church Buys Athletic Club

2|42 Community Church plans to transform the Brighton Athletic Club into a multipurpose community center offering recreation, meeting space, children’s activities, tutoring, music lessons, and more.

June 29, 2011

Mark A. Taylor

Behind Closed Doors

An Arab Christian serving in the Middle East reminds American believers not to take religious freedom for granted—and challenges the church to use that freedom to evangelize, study, and worship with passion.

June 24, 2011

Jennifer Taylor

Church Leadership Ministry Training & Education

TCMs Priscilla Initiative Boosts Training for Women

Training Christians for Ministry’s Priscilla Initiative provides scholarships for graduate-level Christian leadership education and practical training for women in Europe and Central Asia, with support from comedienne Anita Renfroe.

June 19, 2011

Mark A. Taylor

Family & Relationships Parenting

The Dad Who”s Not There

Fatherlessness carries serious consequences, but absence is not always physical. Mark A. Taylor challenges fathers—especially church leaders—to consider whether their children receive the presence, nurture, and attention they need.

June 17, 2011

LeRoy Lawson

Reviews Book Reviews

Dead Guys and a Living Church

LeRoy Lawson reviews three books exploring Southern memory, Cornelius Vanderbilt’s extraordinary wealth and power, and Charles R. Swindoll’s call for churches to return to the priorities of Acts 2:42.

June 16, 2011