Series: Featured

March 17, 2011

Christian Standard

Riley Donica: Used by God for 59 Years

By Cynthia Perkins Fifty-nine years in the ministry! May I tell you about it? I’m Cindy Perkins, the first child of Riley Donica, and I was there. This is a true story of the sovereignty of God. Let us look at the way God worked through the choices my dad made, choices God took and orchestrated his plan for a moment in time. God’s Purposes The journey began in the Kiamichi Mountains. In the Choctaw language, Kiamichi means “go no further.” The “Kiamichis” is an area in southeastern Oklahoma where the Choctaws ended their move from Mississippi. The wintertime move

March 13, 2011

Christian Standard

Beyond Borders

By Mike Schrage Every once in awhile I read (as I am sure you do) something that stops me in my tracks! An article in the April 11/18, 2010, issue of CHRISTIAN STANDARD was just such a heart-stopper. The article was titled “Mega See, Mega Do,” by Kent Fillinger. Kent, a friend of mine, has for several years undertaken the study of megachurch growth, an American religious phenomenon that has been quite spectacularly manifested inside the Restoration Movement. How, where, and why it is occurring are very important issues, and Kent has gathered and processed tons of statistics surrounding these

March 10, 2011

Christian Standard

Back to College””45 Years Later

By LeRoy Lawson When Pat Magness was a Milligan College student in the late 1960s, she was Patty Phillips and I was her professor. Now Dr. Magness is the head of the area of humane learning. She is my boss. Which goes to show you that it pays to be nice, even to freshmen. You never know . . . My rank indicates my place on the academic totem pole. One step lower and I”d be in the dirt. I”m a visiting substitute adjunct professor of freshman humanities. This just may be my all-time favorite title. Dr. Magness extended the invitation to

March 9, 2011

Christian Standard

Why We Won”t “˜Lose Our Light”

By Gary Tiffin Christian church colleges and universities could be in trouble in ways we have not considered. Books about similar institutions in the last few years raise quite a few questions. Here is how the story often plays out: a Christian group founds a college, but over decades the relationship weakens and eventually the college frees itself from any obligation or actual alignment with its founding group. Then the college becomes independent and more secular than religious, with few if any remaining traces of its religious roots*. This scenario is not ours! We are not in danger of “losing

March 9, 2011

Christian Standard

2011 College Reports: “˜God Is at Work on Our Campus”

By Staff We asked colleges and seminaries associated with Christian churches and churches of Christ to provide updates on what”s happening at their institutions. Here”s what they had to say (these are listed alphabetically): Alberta Bible College Alberta Bible College”s endowment scholarship gives students a highly subsidized tuition rate of $5,850 per year. This allows many students to focus on their ministries and complete their program with little or no debt. ABC deeply integrates classroom learning with real-world experience. Our students” lives reflect this emphasis on ministry and the important work they accomplish. Jackson, a second-year student, transferred from another

March 8, 2011

Christian Standard

The Earth: Handle with Prayer

By Jan Johnson As the plane descended that Saturday evening, I watched forest fires raging over my special place on the planet: Southern California. Fire after fire lined the eastern corridor to Los Angeles. Once home, I could see the sky lit up and the hills above us on fire. The next morning as the winds picked up, firefighters knocked on our door and told us to pack up to be ready to leave. But the fire receded and they didn”t come back, so we went wandering toward the hills to gaze at the fire. That”s when I did something

March 7, 2011

Christian Standard

Tend Them. Grow Them. Keep Them!

By David Roadcup Shepherding. Discipleship. Member development and conservation. Church leaders know each of these functions is critical if their congregation is to be healthy and fruitful. We know assimilation and development of individual Christians is important, because we”ve read the Scriptures that explain what should happen in the lives of those we evangelize. In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), Jesus clearly indicates that we are to teach new believers “to observe all that I commanded you.”1 Teaching and development need to occur after evangelism. Colossians is replete with the apostle Paul”s desire for the believer”s maturity. Paul writes, “We proclaim

March 6, 2011

Christian Standard

Smaller Churches Need Small Groups Too!

By Eric Bingaman As I studied the faces of my small group family, I began to reflect on the makeup of our group. These were not new Christians finding community for the first time. This was a small group of ordained ministers, elders, and deacons who had spent most of their life in the church””the smaller church””and for the first time were beginning to catch a glimpse of the community God has called his church to live in. As our small group was wrapping up for the evening, we held hands and prepared to pray for one another. That is

March 5, 2011

Christian Standard

How the Bible Guided Me at a Crossroads

By Jeffrey A. Metzger It created an unexpected, but unforgettable, moment in my life. My administrative assistant walked in and handed me a letter. I don”t know how she got her information but she said to me, “Jeff, I want you to know this church in Florida is looking for a pastor. But you”d never want to move to Florida. They have giant cockroaches down there.” We laughed because I had no intention of moving anywhere. The ministry I was serving was thriving, and I wasn”t seeking to relocate. But that pesky church in Florida wouldn”t take no for an

March 2, 2011

Christian Standard

How to Organize a Small Groups Ministry

By Kent Odor As a young man I ran several seasons on my high school track team. I won a few races and some ribbons, but I realized early on the Olympics were not in my future. Nevertheless, the experience had a very positive lasting impact on me. The daily training in preparation for the track season was absolutely necessary before I finally put my feet in the starting blocks for my first race. In a similar way, establishing a small group ministry in a church of any size requires some serious preparation. Here are some of the necessary ways

February 27, 2011

Christian Standard

Unconditional Compassion

From Inverted, by Tom Ellsworth We love the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). It”s filled with a sense of adventure and intrigue, unexpected responses, good guys versus bad guys, and a happy ending. There”s another reason we love this story. It isn”t personal””we don”t have issues with Samaritans. Most of us have never even met a Samaritan. Jesus” audience, however, certainly had! This story wasn”t called the Parable of the Good Samaritan when Jesus first told it””in the minds of his Jewish audience there was no such thing. Those in attendance at the parable”s premier weren”t oohing and aahing with

February 24, 2011

Christian Standard

Restoring God”s Hope

By Jonathan Williams The scene was always the same. Every morning at 8:00 Marcus Jackson was at my classroom door with a scowl on his face and a half-eaten bag of red-hot, extra spicy potato chips in his hands. I think the red-hot chips explained why Marcus had a scowl on his face. I could always count on two things each morning. The sun would rise and Marcus Jackson would ask to go to the nurse after finishing his bag of red-hot, extra spicy potato chips. It seemed that his breakfast never agreed with him. After school Marcus wouldn”t go home.

February 23, 2011

Christian Standard

Radical Hospitality

By Gaye Clark I look back now and wonder what it would look like if more Christians were willing to take such a risk. Marcia”s voice cracked as she spoke. “Hello, Mrs. Clark, is your husband home? I”d like to wish him Happy Father”s Day.” I handed the phone to Jim, smiled, and said, “Your other daughter is calling.” Months before, while I sat at my computer, an e-mail caught my attention. The subject line read, “Young woman, broken and alone.” The sender was Dr. Robert Campbell, a local internal medicine specialist who had opened an inner-city clinic1 to reach

February 20, 2011

Christian Standard

Keeping Christ at the Center of Our Sermons

By Matt Proctor “This is a great sermon,” said my friend as he handed me the CD. “You”ll enjoy it.” My friend knows me well: I”m a sermon junkie. I love to listen to great preaching. I immediately recognized the preacher”s name on the CD, a well-known minister within our movement who leads a strong, evangelistic church. On my next car ride, I popped in the CD””a message from the Song of Songs. The sermon was clearly tied to the text and packed with great illustrations, appropriate humor, and practical advice for a marriage relationship. When the CD was over

February 20, 2011

Christian Standard

A Conference for Women

By Kay Moll “Unleashed . . . for His Glory!” is the theme of the 2011 NACC Women”s Conference, and the program is designed to inspire, encourage, and better equip women in their service for Christ. Special Events Two very special functions for women are planned. The Ladies” Luncheon on Thursday is always a highlight of the conference. The speaker will be Beth Guckenberger who with her husband, Todd, established Back2Back Ministries, which works with 12 children”s homes in Mexico, ministering to more than 500 children and 1,000 impoverished families. Back2Back is now also working in Nigeria and India. Beth

February 19, 2011

Christian Standard

Why I Participate

By Herb Botts “If you build it, he will come!” You might remember that line from the movie Field of Dreams, a mystical presentation about a novice Midwestern farmer who loves baseball so much he builds an actual ball field in the midst of his cornstalks and watches the “greats” of the past gather and play. I believe I can honestly say the folks of the North American Christian Convention are in a similar building process, creating something wonderful and inviting all of us to come. The NACC is offering a program that mirrors God”s Holy Word, to draw “people

February 18, 2011

Christian Standard

NACC Digital Connections

By Dudley Rutherford From tweets to texts, blogs to apps, we are living in a technologically progressive world, and the 2011 North American Christian Convention is no exception! The NACC is taking advantage of today”s exciting technology and social networking options to promote this year”s convention. During the convention week, we”ll offer digital and Web support to attendees, along with a few surprises! Afterward, we”ll stay in touch with highlights and testimonials via e-news and other media. Check out all the ways we”re bringing technology to you before, during, and after the 2011 NACC: “¢ Twitter: Sign up today at

February 18, 2011

Christian Standard

The Dynamic NACC Message in a Challenging New Book

By Dudley Rutherford When you read in the Bible about the powerful ministry of Jesus or the revolutionary witness of the first-century church, does a longing well up inside you to capture that same strength and vigor in your personal effectiveness for the kingdom of God? The church in the New Testament impacted the world. It changed culture from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria and to the ends of the earth. The early disciples turned the world upside down with their message, their lives, their commitment, and their passion. Can you imagine today”s church having the same influence in our

February 17, 2011

Christian Standard

Youthful Energy Unleashed

By Joni Sullivan Baker How does the idea of “unleashing” teens and children sound to you? Scary, maybe! But to those planning two dynamic conventions this summer, it”s an apt idea. “Students want and need to be challenged, so they expect a convention that encourages them to be bold and “˜unleashed” for Christ,” said Phyllis Fox, director of church relations and Youth in Ministry (YiM) at Milligan College. YiM produces the NACC Student Convention. “Through dynamic speakers, vibrant worship, and challenging workshops, students will discover how God is calling them to reach their friends, family, and communities for Christ,” Fox

Help Keep Christian Standard Free & Accessible with a Tax Deductible Donation

We can do more together!

Every gift makes a difference!

No, thank you.
100% secure transactions - receipts provided.
Does Your Church Want to Support Christian Standard?

Would your church consider including support for Christian Standard in its annual missions budget? Your support would help us not only continue the 160-year legacy of this unifying ministry, but also expand the free resources, cooperative opportunities, and practical guidance we provide to strengthen churches in the U.S. and around the world.

We can do more together!

Every gift makes a difference!

No, thank you.
100% secure transactions - receipts provided.
Secret Link