December 7, 2008
They Were Our Supporters
Mike Sweeney reflects on how missionary support became more than money through prayer, friendship, visits, encouragement, and lasting relationships with congregations and individuals.
Series: Featured
December 7, 2008
Serving the Senders: Encouraging Parents of Missionaries
Parents of missionaries often carry unseen grief, sacrifice, and calling. Diane Stortz and Cheryl Savageau explain how churches can encourage POMs and help missionary families stay connected across distance.
December 7, 2008
Stop Baptizing!
Dave Ferguson challenges church leaders to stop doing all the baptizing and let disciples, family members, and spiritual mentors share in the joy and responsibility of baptism.
November 30, 2008
Form Without Substance?
James Riley Estep Jr. urges congregations to recover substantive Christian education that prepares believers for deeper biblical questions, spiritual transformation, and resilient faith.
November 30, 2008
More Than Fun and Games
Ben Walker challenges churches to move beyond entertainment-driven youth ministry and equip teens with deeper discipleship, apologetics, and worldview training before they leave high school.
November 30, 2008
The Emerging Church and the Stone-Campbell Movement: Some Striking Similarities (Part 2)
William R. Baker explores four additional connections between the Stone-Campbell Movement and emerging churches, focusing on local church authority, creeds, weekly Communion, and baptism.
November 30, 2008
The Difference Advent Makes
Robert F. Hull Jr. reflects on Advent as a season of repentance, Scripture, prayer, and waiting—one that can help churches prepare for Christmas with deeper spiritual focus.
November 23, 2008
The Emerging Church: A Brief History and Helpful Resources
William R. Baker outlines the rise of the emerging church, its postmodern context, its shift toward missional language, and key resources for understanding the movement.
November 23, 2008
Only One Life
Phyllis Rine’s missionary service in the Congo and death during the Congo Crisis are remembered as a testimony of sacrificial faith, courage, and Restoration Movement mission history.
November 23, 2008
What Was the Congo Massacre?
Bill Weber offers historical background on the Belgian Congo’s turbulent independence era and the dangerous setting in which missionaries served, suffered, and became known as the Congo Martyrs.
November 23, 2008
The Power of Persistence
By Victor M. Parachin In the 11th century, Henry III, king of Germany, became dissatisfied with court life and the pressures of the monarchy. Unlike many rulers, Henry was a deeply spiritual individual whose faith guided his daily life and rule. Therefore he made a visit to Prior Richard, the leader of a local monastery, asking to be received as a contemplative. His wish, Henry explained, was to spend the rest of his life in the monastery. “Your Majesty,” responded Prior Richard, “do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be hard because you have
November 23, 2008
The Emerging Church and the Stone-Campbell Movement: Some Striking Similarities (Part 1)
William R. Baker compares the emerging church movement with the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement, highlighting shared concerns around denominationalism, vintage Christianity, and the book of Acts.
November 16, 2008
Elders & Ministers: Speaking the Same Language
Healthy elder-minister relationships help churches lead with trust, humility, shared vision, and spiritual focus. Darrel Rowland highlights growing churches where leaders work together well.
November 16, 2008
Should the Minister Be One of the Elders?
Darrel Rowland explores whether ministers should serve as elders, highlighting church leaders who value trust, accountability, biblical eldership, and healthy elder-minister relationships.
November 16, 2008
Two Elders Now Ministers Talk About Elder-Minister Relationships
Ernie Graf and Jim Sloderbeck reflect on elder-minister relationships from both sides of church leadership, emphasizing mutual respect, trust, communication, and unity.
November 16, 2008
What Elders Don’t Understand About Ministers
Church leaders reflect on what elders may not understand about ministers, including workload pressures, family strain, leadership empowerment, and the high personal stakes of ministry.
November 16, 2008
What Ministers Don’t Understand About Elders
Elders share what ministers may misunderstand about their role, outside pressures, meeting participation, and desire for honest partnership in church leadership.
November 16, 2008
Changing Signs and Signs of Change in a Tulsa Congregation
Greg Taylor shares how Garnett Church of Christ turned its facility into Green Country Event Center, welcoming neighbors, churches, schools, and community groups as a sign of God’s kingdom.
November 9, 2008
The Local Church Needs Scholars
Fred Hansen reflects on scholarship in the church, highlighting Restoration Movement examples and urging ministers, missionaries, and educators to pursue deep learning marked by humility and service.
November 9, 2008
Scholars in the Church A Practical Response
Brian Jones reflects on an early ministry internship and explains why local church leaders need both practical effectiveness and serious theological depth.
