November 9, 2008
Books We Recommend
Christian Standard contributing editors recommend books that shaped their faith, ministry, leadership, apologetics, and cultural engagement, with personal reflections on why each title mattered.
Series: Featured
November 9, 2008
Keys to Teamwork (Part 4): Wise Decision Making
Steve Bond shares how Summit Christian Church pursued wise decision making through elder consensus, staff-led leadership, patient timing, and a team culture that values listening.
Windows of Youth Ministry
Curtis Booher and Phyllis Fox examine millennial students, their generational traits, and why youth ministry must become more holistic, intergenerational, participatory, and rooted in the gospel.
November 2, 2008
Keys to Teamwork (Part 3): Conflict Resolution
Stephen Bond explains why healthy ministry teams must embrace honest conflict, pursue compromise, practice forgiveness, and protect organizational health through open, humble conflict resolution.
November 2, 2008
Beyond Tweaking the Code
Jason Rodenbeck challenges Christians to stop trying to tweak worldly systems and instead embody Jesus’ cross-shaped way through mercy, sacrifice, compassion, and faithful witness.
November 2, 2008
A New Leadership Model as Old as the New Testament
Scott Cromer shares how New Life Church of Christ shifted from board-style leadership to a shepherding model focused on relationships, delegation, empowered leaders, and shared life.
November 2, 2008
The Knife Wasn’t Even Sharp (A Parable for Elders)
Robert Kitchen encourages elders to focus on shepherding, mentoring, and teaching while equipping volunteers with clear expectations, useful tools, and meaningful opportunities for service.
November 2, 2008
Hundreds Compete at National Bible Bowl Tourney
Southeast Christian Church’s Team 1 won the National Bible Bowl double-elimination tournament in Atlanta, with Central Christian Church teams also earning top honors.
October 26, 2008
Keys to Teamwork (Part 2): Communication
Stephen Bond shares practical lessons from Summit Christian Church on strengthening ministry teamwork through honest communication, reduced stress, personal boundaries, appreciation, and a shared language.
October 26, 2008
Sin Among the Shepherds
An anonymous church leader reflects on moral failure, full ownership, grace and truth, accountability, and how wise shepherds can help bring healing without compromising holiness.
October 26, 2008
Five Guidelines for Doing Good and Feeling Good Every Day
By Victor M. Parachin Several years ago, Collin Perry was living the American dream. He had a thriving construction business, a comfortable home, two new cars, a sailboat, and was happily married. Then the business climate soured, eroding his savings. He lay awake at night knowing he couldn”t make ends meet. Just when he thought things couldn”t get worse, his wife declared she wanted a divorce. With no idea what to do next, he boarded his sailboat and literally began to “sail off into the sunset.” He started by following the coastline from Connecticut toward Florida, but somewhere off the
October 26, 2008
Water
Greg Taylor challenges Christians to see clean water as a matter of basic justice, mission, and compassion for people suffering from preventable waterborne diseases.
October 19, 2008
Keys to Teamwork (Part 1): Chemistry
Stephen Bond reflects on how chemistry, expectations, and ministry alignment helped Summit Christian Church build healthy staff and elder teams during a season of significant growth.
October 19, 2008
Hunting or Hunted?
Don Wilson urges pastors and church staff to handle ministry transitions with honesty, prayer, and open communication, reducing misunderstandings and honoring the body of Christ together.
October 19, 2008
Three Resources on Elders and the Local Church
Casey Tygrett reviews three books on eldership and church leadership, weighing their strengths, weaknesses, and usefulness for elders seeking biblical accountability and practical direction.
October 19, 2008
It’s Harder to Do than to Talk About
Chuck Sackett reflects on returning to local church preaching and relearning how leadership, change, sermon preparation, and spiritual formation are harder to practice than to teach.
October 12, 2008
Double-Espresso Church Planting in New Orleans
Rick Grover reflects on how Hurricane Katrina reshaped Journey Christian Church’s ministry in New Orleans and helped spark new church plants across the Gulf Coast.
October 12, 2008
Helping People Find Their Way Back to God in Kansas City
Troy McMahon reflects on leaving engineering for ministry, planting Restore Community Church in Kansas City, and living a life shaped by risk, calling, partnership, and no regrets.
October 12, 2008
An Invitation to God’s Drama in New York City
Jared Witt reflects on ImagineNYC, church planting in Manhattan, and the invitation for New Yorkers to enter God’s unfolding drama of renewal through worship, community, and mission.
October 12, 2008
The National New Church Conference’s Exponential Development
Jennifer Taylor traces how the National New Church Conference grew from Restoration Movement roots into the Exponential Conference, a major cross-denominational gathering for church planting leaders.
