Series: Featured

May 10, 2009

Christian Standard

Serving with Cultural Intelligence

  By Gayla Cooper Congdon    Amor Ministries began taking groups on short-term mission trips in the summer of 1981. That first summer, four churches with about 100 students traveled to serve in Tijuana, Mexico. Since then, more than 250,000 students and adults have gone on short-term mission trips to six locations in Mexico, and most recently, in South Africa. Last year, I heard about a book making waves in the short-term mission world. David Livermore”s Serving With Eyes Wide Open upset quite a few people because of his critique of short-term missions. When I learned about it, I just

May 10, 2009

Christian Standard

A Christian Civics Lesson

  By Rod Roberts On January 9, 2007, the newly elected speaker of the Iowa House gaveled the 82nd General Assembly into session. True to the traditions of the Iowa House, the speaker invited a special guest pastor to bring the invocation that morning. To the surprise of many, the guest invited to pray for the General Assembly was a Des Moines-area Muslim imam. The gesture was, in part, recognition of the election of Iowa”s first Muslim state legislator, who was from Des Moines. In fact, the state Capitol in Des Moines is located in this legislator”s district. The imam

May 3, 2009

Christian Standard

More Than 120 Years . . . and Counting

  By Greg Swinney About This Article Long-term ministries tell a story. Nearly two-dozen campus ministers with the Christian churches/churches of Christ have served in campus ministry for more than 20 years (many in the same location where they started). It”s not because they couldn”t find jobs elsewhere . . . it”s because they have a deep-seated passion, a burning in their hearts for the students who walk the concrete sidewalks of the academic jungle we call the state university. This article draws upon more than 120 years of combined experience of four of these campus ministers. Roger Songer, campus

May 3, 2009

Christian Standard

The Good Life of a Campus Minister

  By Ward Patterson I”ve got a friend who keeps me humble. He thinks campus work is a breeze. He is always telling me that anybody looking from the outside would think a campus minister has it pretty soft.  I keep telling him he ought to look on the inside. THE PROBLEM OF TIME “You really have it good,” he says. “But there is this problem of time,” I respond. “The kids are tied up with something pretty awful””class, I think they call it. The only time they can get together seems to be after supper, at 7:00 say, or

May 3, 2009

Christian Standard

List of Campus Ministries (2009)

By Greg Swinney/Staff Click here for the 2009 Campus Ministries List. ALABAMA Auburn University Auburn Christian Fellowship 334-821-3963 www.auburnchristianfellowship.com au**@*****er.net ARKANSAS Northwest Arkansas Community College Christ on Campus 479-521-8358 www.christoncampus.org kr**@************us.org University of Arkansas Christ on Campus 479-521-8358 www.christoncampus.org co**@************us.org University of Arkansas”“Fort Smith Christ on Campus 479-521-8358 www.christoncampus.org je**@************us.org COLORADO University of Colorado”“Colorado Springs Kairos Christian Fellowship 719-640-5974 www.KairosHasCome.org Wa**@***********me.org Colorado State University”“Fort Collins Impact@CSU 970-449-3716 www.impactingcsu.com mb*******@***oo.com University of Colorado Worldwide Missions Outreach 303-660-9640 ww********@*ol.com FLORIDA University of Florida U.F. Christian Campus House 352-258-9367 www.ufcch.com ga*********@**no.com Florida State University Christian Campus Fellowship 850-224-1958 www.fsuccf.org cc*@**********te.com University of South

April 19, 2009

Christian Standard

Megachurches: The 2008 List

The annual list of megachurches is one of CHRISTIAN STANDARD’s most popular features. Megachurches average 2,000 or more in weekly attendance and emerging megachurches average 1,000 to 1,999. This chart lists statistics from 2008. Click here to look at this chart of the 2008 Megachurches.

April 19, 2009

Christian Standard

Megachurches: Church Unique

  By Kent. E. Fillinger Church Unique is the title of a great book released last year by Will Mancini, and it is also a good description of the 117 megachurches and emerging megachurches profiled in this special double issue. While there are significant trends and key stats that can be gleaned from studying these churches collectively, the strength is in the unique stories of the churches represented and how God is using each one to change people”s lives for Christ. Innovation””or Imitation? A unique vision is not limited to these 117 profiled churches; in reality, every church has a

April 19, 2009

Christian Standard

Megachurches: An Interview with Three Megachurch Ministers

  By Kent Fillinger A SWOT analysis is the classic model for strategic planning. It examines an organization from the standpoint of its internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as the opportunities and threats it faces. We asked three lead pastors of megachurches to comment on their individual congregations and on megachurches in general using the framework of a SWOT analysis: “¢ Jud Wilhite, 37, has been  senior pastor since 2003 of Central Christian Church (Henderson, Nevada), which has an average weekend worship attendance of 12,822. “¢ Scott Enyon, 47, has been senior pastor since 1994 of Community Christian Church

April 19, 2009

Christian Standard

Megachurches: Sustaining Ministry in a Shrinking Economy

    By Kent E. Fillinger Rising unemployment rates. Crashing stock markets. Falling consumer confidence. Decreased spending. Skyrocketing personal and national debt. Freezing credit lines. Collapsing banks and bankrupt companies. Mounting numbers of home foreclosures. A deepening recession. People fearing a depression. These are the dominant headlines of our day. What is the impact on the church? Prognosticators and pundits are attempting to predict when this economic downturn will either reach the bottom or start to turn around. Until resurgence occurs, how can churches sustain ministry in a shrinking economy?   Put the economy and giving into perspective. The recession

April 19, 2009

Christian Standard

Megachurches: By the Numbers

  By Kent E. Fillinger and Ben Simms   Fastest-Growing Churches in 2008:  “¢ The Crossing, Quincy, IL, 27% “¢ Crosspointe, Cary, NC, 22% “¢ Compass Christian, Colleyville, TX, 22% “¢ Central Christian, Mesa, AZ, 22% Fastest-Growing since 2003: “¢ Parkview Christian Church, Orland Park, IL, 183%  “¢ Real Life Ministries, Post Falls, ID, 172% “¢ Crossroads Christian Church, Grand Prairie, TX, 101% Fastest-Growing since 1997:  “¢ Christ”s Church of the Valley, Peoria, AZ, 477% “¢ Northside Christian Church, New Albany, IN, 371% “¢ Central Christian Church, Henderson, NV, 307% What  is “AVERAGE”? The 54 megachurches” average size: 4,116  The

April 19, 2009

Christian Standard

Congregational Membership and Worshiping Community”“A Reflection on Church Polity

  By C. Robert Wetzel One of the most divisive issues to plague the heirs of the Restoration Movement was the question of “open membership.” It became a symbol for a number of growing differences that were emerging among Christian churches early in the 20th century. But in many respects it was an unresolved question from the earliest days of the movement. That history is well documented, and I will not go into it here. In its starkest form, the issue centered on the recognition that the Scriptures taught baptism by immersion of repentant believers for the remission of sins

April 19, 2009

Christian Standard

Megachurches: The Value of a Brand (Web-Only Feature)

  By Kent E. Fillinger “Christianity has an image problem.” This is the first sentence in UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity . . . And Why It Matters. The book chronicles the negative perceptions and skepticism that Americans ages 16-29 have of all things Christian: the faith itself, the people who profess it, the church, the Bible, and even Jesus.  Authors David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons summarize the most common points of skepticism and objections raised by outsiders into the following six broad themes: hypocritical, too focused on getting converts, antihomosexual, sheltered, too political, and judgmental.

April 15, 2009

Christian Standard

Preview/Order “What Kind of Church Is This?”

                What Kind of Church Is This? This 8-page brochure for visitors and new members has sold hundreds of thousands of copies! Updated now with current information and a fresh, new look, it is the perfect addition to welcome packets, new member folders, or other outreach products. Explains history and philosophy of Restoration Movement churches in a winsome, colorful way. CLICK HERE TO ORDER PRINTED COPIES (sold in lots of 100; $30 per 100) CLICK HERE TO ORDER A DOWNLOADABLE PDF (post on your Web site; print unlimited copies for $9.99) READ LEROY

April 12, 2009

Christian Standard

A Secret We Must Tell

  By Arron Chambers Can you keep a secret? Stephen and Louise couldn”t. “Our son became an astronaut today.” On September 17, 1962″”in one of the most interesting segments of game show history””Stephen and Louise Armstrong appeared on I”ve Got a Secret with the secret that their son Neil had just been selected to be an astronaut. Neil was one of nine new men so chosen. What made this appearance especially unique was that host Garry Moore asked Louise an incredible question: “Now, how would you feel, Mrs. Armstrong, if it turned out””of course nobody knows””but if it turns out

April 12, 2009

Christian Standard

Evidence of Providence

  By Eddie Lowen Providence is the forseeing care and guidance of God over the creatures of earth. We can agree on that. But has it ever occurred to you that God may not want credit for some of what is attributed to him by human beings? My theology could be flawed, but I don”t imagine God will be disappointed if the next hot dog eating champion or Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover girl fails to credit him for their fame and success. To go further, some religious statements seem unlikely to have originated with God, despite the claims of those

April 12, 2009

Christian Standard

Evan Meets Easter

  By Evan Lowen As a teenager who enjoys the benefits the United States has to offer, I learned the meaning of “culture shock” when I traveled to Africa with my dad. The sights, smells, and experiences will never leave my mind.  The first full day in Nairobi was difficult to digest. My dad and I, along with Erik Wolle and Steve Stewart from our church, went to the very first school created for the kids in the slums. I met Mary and Wallace, who are the most incredible people I”ve ever known. They direct the Hope centers, which include

April 12, 2009

Christian Standard

This Is the Church”s Moment

By Ethan Magness The fifth chapter of 2 Samuel records three pivotal events in the life of David and the history of Israel. First, David is acknowledged as the king of all Israel. Saul and his legacy are rejected, and David is established as the unquestioned ruler. Politically he has arrived. Second, David conquers Jerusalem and establishes a new capital. Geographically (and strategically) he has arrived. Third, David defeats the Philistines. From Gibeon to Gezer he strikes down the powerful Philistine army. Militarily he has arrived. He has one more important task. He must retrieve the ark of the covenant

April 5, 2009

Christian Standard

Balancing Word and Deed

By Doug Priest If you want to start an argument, ask a group of involved church members this question: “Of all the ministries this church performs, which is the most important?” Stand back and watch the fireworks begin. When I was a missionary kid growing up in Ethiopia, the government required the missionaries to establish and manage primary schools. These schools provided the only opportunity for the local children to receive an education. My father oversaw the expansion of the school, and one of the tasks was constructing outhouses for the students. This meant that funds given for missions were

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