January 21, 2009
Notes From a Trip to a Place I Never Thought I’d Visit
After an eight-day visit to Jordan, Mark A. Taylor reflects on Petra, Jerash, Amman, Wadi Rum, and why Christian travelers should consider adding Jordan to a Holy Land tour.
Series: Columns
January 14, 2009
Great Communion in Greater Pittsburgh
Christians are preparing Great Communion observances for the 200th anniversary of the Declaration and Address, including a major Pittsburgh gathering centered on Restoration Movement unity.
January 11, 2009
FROM MY BOOKSHELF: Economic Dangers and Dirty Hands
LeRoy Lawson reviews three books exploring global economic instability, glocal mission strategy, and hands-on service that calls ordinary Christians to engage a changing world with wisdom and compassion.
January 7, 2009
Something New—for All Our Readers
Christian Standard announces its 2009 publishing schedule, including four double issues, 48 total issues, and 12 special themed editions planned throughout the year.
December 31, 2008
New Year, New Theme, New Writers
Mark A. Taylor introduces Christian Standard’s “Get Your Hands Dirty” theme for 2009 and invites readers to share how their churches are serving people in need.
December 23, 2008
A Picture of the Elders in Our Churches, Part Two
Readers responding to Christian Standard’s Year of the Elder survey highlighted ongoing needs for elders, including conflict management, stronger shepherding, and more intentional training.
December 17, 2008
Christmas and the Promise of Peace
Mark A. Taylor reflects on Bethany beyond the Jordan, the fragile peace of treaties, and the deeper peace Christ gives to troubled hearts at Christmas.
December 10, 2008
A Picture of the Elders in Our Churches, Part One: posted 12/10/2008
Mark A. Taylor reports results from Christian Standard’s Elders Survey, highlighting how churches select elders, how often elders meet, and the continuing need for shepherding support.
December 7, 2008
FROM MY BOOKSHELF: In God’s Defense
LeRoy Lawson reviews books by David Aikman, John Humphrys, and Francis Collins, tracing arguments about atheism, doubt, science, and faith in a thoughtful response to claims that God is dead.
December 3, 2008
Big Ideas for Smaller Churches
Mark A. Taylor highlights how the Energizing Smaller Churches Network encourages leaders in smaller congregations and shares the spring and summer 2009 ESCN conference schedule.
November 26, 2008
How Will We React to Economic Slowdown?
Mark A. Taylor urges church leaders facing economic pressure to protect mission priorities, resist survival-mode budgeting, and trust God’s provision in difficult financial seasons.
November 19, 2008
Thankful for Our Riches
Mark A. Taylor reflects on gratitude during financial uncertainty, reminding Christians that God’s riches in Christ remain steady even when the economy, retirement accounts, and circumstances do not.
November 12, 2008
The Right Decisions in a Downturn
Mark A. Taylor urges churches not to retreat during economic downturns, but to see hard times as an opportunity for mission, benevolence, and faithful stewardship.
November 9, 2008
FROM MY BOOKSHELF: Returning from the Dark Side
LeRoy Lawson reviews books by Gordon MacDonald, Gary Kinnaman, and Richard Jacobs, reflecting on pastoral failure, depression, restoration, and the grace needed to walk through darkness.
If You Feed It, It Will Grow
Mark A. Taylor reflects on growth, nourishment, and the essential role of reading in keeping the soul, mind, and leadership effectiveness alive.
October 29, 2008
Giving a Shrug About Politics
Mark A. Taylor reflects on Christian uneasiness during a presidential election and reminds readers that voting matters, but no candidate can solve the country’s deepest problems.
October 22, 2008
Could We Have Been Better Prepared?
Mark A. Taylor reflects on Hurricane Ike’s power outage and urges elders to prepare for church crises with accountability, character, prayer, and wise shepherding.
October 12, 2008
FROM MY BOOKSHELF: China: Refreshing, Intriguing, Confusing, Unsettling
LeRoy Lawson reviews Rob Gifford’s China Road and reflects on modern China, Chinese Christianity, missionary legacy, and the sobering historical context of The Opium Wars.
October 8, 2008
Church Health and Attendance Numbers How Do They Relate?
Mark A. Taylor considers whether church health should be measured by attendance alone, weighing numerical growth against relational healing, discipleship, and congregational stability.
October 1, 2008
An Opportunity Too Important to Miss!
Mark A. Taylor calls churches to prepare for Great Communion, a bicentennial opportunity to remember Christ together and bear witness to unity across divided Restoration Movement streams.
