April 13, 2008
Megachurches and emerging megachurches are offering worship services on multiple days and in multiple styles. Research across 113 churches suggests certain patterns—especially two service days and one or three worship styles—correlate with stronger growth.
Kent Fillinger and Ben Simms summarize 2007 megachurch attendance, growth trends, Easter attendance, baptisms, state-by-state counts, and leading churches by growth and baptism ratio.
April 6, 2008
Why doesn’t God grant every prayer request? H. Lynn Gardner explores biblical reasons prayers go unanswered, the role of sin and selfish motives, and how believers can trust God’s wisdom and keep praying with Christlike humility.
April 6, 2008
Orrin Root reflects on the meaning and responsibility of public prayer, urging leaders to pray with sympathy, specificity, eloquence, and thoughtful preparation.
Jan Johnson reflects on solitude as a spiritual discipline—found on canyon walks and retreat days—where inner “committee” voices are quieted, God is heard, busyness loosens its grip, and we learn to be better with others.
Clearing out competing voices is only the first step in hearing God. Jan Johnson describes common themes God speaks—love, comfort, surrender, and purpose—and shares how God’s gentle questions can move us forward.
By Mandy Smith When church historians look back on the 1990s, they”ll undoubtedly refer to the “worship war” years. But what will they call our current age? My guess is that when discussing the first decades of the 21st century, historians will talk about “The God Gap.” The worship war looked like a discussion about instruments and songs, but it really swung on, “How much can we allow culture to affect our church experience and the expression of our faith?” Today, the collision of faith and culture continues in new arenas. And as if faith isn”t a hot enough topic
March 30, 2008
Why doesn’t God grant some prayer requests? H. Lynn Gardner examines Jesus’ prayer promises in context, showing how Scripture connects confident prayer with God’s will, obedience, and trustful submission.
March 30, 2008
Facing neighborhood violence and ministry strain, a pastor learns to pray one simple word—“Help!”—and watches God provide through quick answers, long delays, unexpected people, and renewed outreach in Pittsburgh.
March 30, 2008
Gen. George S. Patton once asked a chaplain for a prayer for fair weather during the Battle of the Bulge. Learn how Scripture, simple words, bold requests, and great expectations can strengthen your prayers.
March 30, 2008
After seven years living among the extremely poor in Uganda, Greg Taylor reflects on the tension between missions and money—and why clean water, medical need, and the gospel often meet in the same village.
March 23, 2008
By Victor M. Parachin One day in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a car was stolen. As the thieves began stripping the vehicle they came across papers identifying the owner as Fred Rogers, host of the children”s television program Mr. Rogers” Neighborhood. They quickly reassembled the car, cleaned and vacuumed it, and returned it with this handwritten note of apology under the wiper: “We”re sorry. We didn”t know it was your car.” Who else could have had such an effect on a group of thieves? What was it about Fred Rogers that could make criminals reconsider their actions? What did those thieves see
March 23, 2008
Ken Idleman explains why a well-prepared life undergirds powerful preaching, highlighting integrity, community, creativity, testimony, and study as priorities that validate the message and keep sermons fresh, relevant, and Spirit-energized.
March 23, 2008
A Good Friday meditation on Christ’s trial as a story of power, sin, and our own hearts—inviting us to ask who is truly on trial and what verdict we render with our lives.
March 16, 2008
A college president and parent explains why Christian colleges matter: strong educational value, a faith-shaped campus environment, and intensive spiritual formation that prepares students for lifelong vocation and service.
March 16, 2008
A collection of short snapshots from Bible colleges, Christian colleges, and seminaries describing hands-on learning, mentoring, affordability, and formation for service—highlighting diverse programs and settings across North America.
March 16, 2008
As Christian colleges and universities grow and adapt, issues like accreditation, accountability, and accessibility will shape how they prepare leaders for the church. John Derry outlines key factors for planning strategically and serving future generations well.
March 16, 2008
Download the 2008 Christian College Chart, featuring attendance and faculty figures, income and expenditures, contact information, and more for 35 colleges affiliated with Christian church and church of Christ.
March 9, 2008
By Tim Woodroof and Leland Vickers You are serving as an elder (or minister, volunteer leader, Bible class teacher, or pastor) for your local congregation and you are approached on Sunday by a longtime member””let”s call her Susan””who says she would like to talk with you about a “personal problem.” You agree to meet her for coffee, but Susan prefaces her discussion with a request, “This must stay only between the two of us. Can we agree that our discussion be completely confidential?” What is your response? The current church culture leads people to assume they have the right to
March 9, 2008
A proposed church confidentiality policy explains how leaders seek to care for people who are hurting, while clarifying legal and practical limits on confidentiality and the steps leaders may take to offer wise, discreet support.
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