Series: Featured

October 19, 2008

Christian Standard

Hunting or Hunted?

By Don Wilson Climbing the corporate ladder is the American way. For most employees, no matter what their position, the ultimate goal is to get ahead in their career. The better an employee performs, the greater his chance of advancing, either in his current company or at another company. His advancement may come in the form of a job offer from within or without, or from his own inclination to seek another position. Whatever the case, there is potential for misunderstanding and hard feelings between the employee and his current employer. As in the corporate world, church employees who do

October 19, 2008

Christian Standard

Three Resources on Elders and the Local Church

By Casey Tygrett When I was asked to write this article, I had to admit I had not read extensively in the area of eldership for some time. It isn”t exactly vacation reading for beside the pool! Especially after reading through Alexander Strauch”s classic Biblical Eldership, I had not explored other resources on the subject because I felt he had said it all in his detailed book. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the three books featured below, because they present challenges and ideas that can only serve to strengthen the leadership and character of elders in the local church.

October 19, 2008

Christian Standard

It”s Harder to Do than to Talk About

By Chuck Sackett After nearly 25 years training preachers at a Christian college, I returned to the local church to discover ministry is a lot harder to do than it is to talk about. I thought I had done a good job of staying in touch with the church. (I”m convinced most Bible college and seminary professors believe that.) I preached nearly every weekend, served in my local congregation, met with and sought to learn from local ministers, and attended and taught at various conferences. And still, full-time service in the local church proved to be a lot harder than

October 12, 2008

Christian Standard

An Invitation to God”s Drama in New York City

By Jared Witt Editor”s note: ImagineNYC is the latest project of Orchard Group Inc., a church planting organization in New York City. The new church will launch in September 2009 in two separate Manhattan locations, the upper West Side and Greenwich Village. Jared Witt is lead minister. Additional staff for the new church has yet to be selected.       Novelist Tom Wolfe has suggested that New York City is no longer a real city inhabited by real people. It is, rather, a spectacle, a drama staged and orchestrated for the benefit of tourists, a massive public exhibition. New

October 12, 2008

Christian Standard

The National New Church Conference”s “˜Exponential” Development

By Jennifer Taylor From multisite campuses to nationwide networks, interest in church planting is at a new high. Restoration Movement leaders have been planting churches and sharing their experiences for decades, but this renewed focus on reproducing churches””plus a commitment to cross-denominational collaboration””has made the National New Church Conference the premier church planting event in the country.   Historical The National New Church Conference (NNCC) first met in 1969 as the “First National Colloquy on New Church Evangelism.” According to John Wasem”s August 2006 article in Christian Standard, 38 people attended this first event held at Great Lakes Bible College

October 12, 2008

Christian Standard

The Ultimate Purpose in Evangelism Is Not Church Growth

By David Bycroft Smitty was arrogant, opinionated, selfish, and a regular at the local coffee shop. Three mornings a week, I would go there before my morning jog. I had known Smitty for years, but he recently had moved a block from our church building. His house was across the street from where we parked our church buses. One morning, in front of the six or seven guys gathered for the morning coffee ritual, Smitty blurted out, “Preacher, I want you to move your buses because I can”t see the highway from my front porch.” I returned with a challenge.

October 12, 2008

Christian Standard

Double-Espresso Church Planting in New Orleans

By Rick Grover Church planting can be described as a high-octane, caffeine-pumping, roller-coaster-riding, faith-testing, prayer-building, life-changing experience. If conventional church life can be likened to espresso, church planting would fit the double-espresso category followed by a “chaser” of Red Bull. Journey Christian Church launched October 6, 2002, with 212 people (40 of whom were “well-wishers”). We experienced the roller-coaster ride of dropping down to about 100 people with the gradual climb back up to about 200, the development of a discipleship process, small groups, and the beginning stages of an eldership-study process. Within three years things were moving along pretty

October 12, 2008

Christian Standard

Helping People Find Their Way Back to God in Kansas City

By Troy McMahon I was sitting on a park bench at Ozark Christian College, next to the young woman who would soon become my bride, when I made the decision. I was going to live a life without regrets.  I had just attended the National Youth Leaders Conference where I heard Tony Campolo speak. He shared some statistics about people in their 90s. When asked what they would do differently in their lives if they had to do it all over again, three themes emerged. First, they would take more risks; second, they would reflect more; and third, they would

October 5, 2008

Christian Standard

Great Communion”“a Great Opportunity

By Douglas A. Foster Two hundred years ago next year, Thomas Campbell wrote in a foundational document of the Stone-Campbell Movement, the Declaration and Address, “that the church of Christ upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one. . . .” “Division among Christians is a horrid evil, fraught with many evils,” he added, and said that Christians “are . . . bound to love each other as brethren, even as Christ has loved them.” In that document, Campbell called the Lord”s Supper “that great ordinance of unity and love.” One hundred years ago next year, a great Centennial Convention

October 5, 2008

Christian Standard

How You Can Celebrate the Great Communion

  This article–which is a sidebar to “Great Communion–a Great Opportunity” by Douglas A. Foster””is adapted from www.greatcommunion.org.      Since the celebration of the bicentennial centers around community-based Communion services, leaders should take steps in their own cities and towns to “make it happen.” First, talk with other leaders in your own congregation. Explain to them what the bicentennial is all about. Make sure to send them to www.greatcommunion.org to see for themselves. Second, once your own church is excited about the possibilities, begin contacting other Stone-Campbell churches in your community. A sample letter is provided on the Web site.

October 5, 2008

Christian Standard

Raising Up the Next Generation of Genuine Leaders

By John Derry   Sociologists have identified certain characteristics associated with contemporary generations, differences church leaders will find helpful as they seek to resolve conflict and bring generations together to achieve common goals. One generation is not better or worse than another. They are just different, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.   DIFFERENT GENERATIONS The Silent Generation or “Tradition-alists” (born between 1925 and 1946) lived through the Great Depression and World War II and experienced the postwar boom in America. They are known for loyalty, a strong work ethic, respect for authority, and resistance to change. They are

September 28, 2008

Christian Standard

A Man with “˜Faithful Eyes”

By Chuck Sackett It was through the Christian campus house that Chris met and married Rita. Unfortunately, their marriage turned disastrous. Rita was quickly unfaithful to her newfound faith and her newly married husband. After a few months of futile efforts at counseling, they divorced. Five years later, Chris met Cathy at a ministry event. They dated for about a year and a half, got involved in a marriage mentoring program in their congregation, and were nurtured by a mature Christian couple. After their wedding they continued to grow in their marriage and raised their three children to follow Christ.

September 28, 2008

Christian Standard

Let”s Bring Back Kindness

By Victor M. Parachin A woman wrote an advice columnist to share how a simple act of kindness prompted her to seriously change her lifestyle. Signing herself as “Slimming Fast in Florida,” the woman explained she is one of those “oversized” people who more than fills an airline seat. While on an airplane that was filled nearly to capacity, a “good looking gentleman” sat down in the seat beside her and greeted her with a friendly, “Good morning.” As he buckled his seat belt, he said to the woman, “I always feel cramped in these seats. Would you mind if

September 28, 2008

Christian Standard

The Earth Is the Lord’s?

By Robert F. Hull Jr. “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it” (Psalm 24:1, New Revised Standard Version). How do we understand such an exclusive claim? What does it mean that you and I can hold title to a piece of property, when the whole earth belongs to God? What are my obligations of stewardship for the half-acre on which my house sits, and what are our common obligations to the earth that sustains all living things? COME HOME Come home with me. When native Appalachians who have

September 21, 2008

Christian Standard

NACC Viewpoints: What Did You Expect?

By Randy Gariss “So how was the North American?” On the surface, that question seems rather innocuous, but somehow over time that simple inquiry has come to prompt a surprisingly complex and emotional set of responses. When it comes to evaluating a North American Christian Convention, you will hear every answer possible: “It was great!” “It was lacking,” “It was very helpful,” or a frustrated, “I can”t figure out where the NACC is headed!” How can there be such diverse reactions to the same experience? It is probably because our personal expectations for the convention are also extremely varied, and

September 21, 2008

Christian Standard

NACC Viewpoints: Teens Need the NACC

By Phyllis Fox The 2008 NACC Teen Convention renewed my hope in God”s promise to “send more workers to the harvest field” as the students in our churches pursue his call for their lives. Here are five reasons why the NACC and our fellowship of churches should be pleased to continue their investment in our students and those who are called to lead them: “¢ Teens want and need to be challenged. On Wednesday night of the convention, the young people heard the message that God”s call isn”t just a career choice but a lifestyle. Following him will take us

September 21, 2008

Christian Standard

NACC Viewpoints: Attendees Are Amazingly Blessed

By Allan Dunbar It is a thrill to see how God uses a variety of logistical impossibilities to put property, people, and programs together to allow those who attend an NACC to be in the center of his blessings. I saw it happen again in Cincinnati this summer””and so did many others. In a quick review of comments from the feedback sheets, I read: “¢ “My husband and I were reluctant to come: short notice, money, children, etc. Couldn”t figure out WHY God wanted us to come. Well, we know now””to transform and look at our ministry from a different

September 21, 2008

Christian Standard

NACC Viewpoints: It”s All About the Mission

By Justin Horey Iattended the NACC only once before joining the marketing team at Provision Ministry Group in 2002, so I have little with which to compare today”s conventions. But I have gathered, through my involvement with this high-profile “ministry partner” over the past seven years, that the convention isn”t what it used to be. Before and during the convention, I am often asked, usually in a somber tone, “How are registrations this year?” Apparently the only thing that matters about the convention””at least to those who question me””is the attendance. No one ever asks me who was there, or

September 21, 2008

Christian Standard

NACC Viewpoints: A Subjective Observer”s Recommendation

By Gary E. Weedman I like the North American Christian Convention. I have attended since the 1960s and have many great memories of workshops, worship services, and reunions with old friends and former colleagues. I have participated in workshops and twice led morning Bible studies. I have fond memories of sermons that inspired and gave new perspective, of worship services that brought us into the presence of God, and of Communion services that helped us in “discerning the Lord”s body.” So, I”m not a completely objective observer. I”ll try, however, to put on my administrative hat and consider this project

September 21, 2008

Christian Standard

Outstanding Christian Leaders Honored at NACC

By Staff Standard Publishing and Milligan College partnered to honor eight outstanding Christian leaders in two separate recognitions at this year”s North American Christian Convention. The Leaders in Christian Service award went to five individuals who have demonstrated servant leadership in their congregations, careers, and communities: Steve and Teresa Bachman, business leaders, members of Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY. Jack Coffee, retired UPS executive, member of Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY. David Hamilton, vice president with Elkins Constructors, member of Christ”s Church in Jacksonville, FL. John Wiggins, Havens Insurance Agency, member of Plainfield (IN) Christian Church. The Student Leader in

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