March 9, 2008

Confidentiality: Always Helpful or Not?

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

Tim Woodroof and Leland Vickers

Care & Counseling

Policy on Confidentiality (a Proposal)

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.

March 9, 2008

Douglas A. Spears

Care & Counseling

Your Church’s Confidentiality Policy

Churches and ministers face increasing legal pressure, making confidentiality policies more important than ever. Practical guidance includes consulting an attorney, reviewing insurance coverage, involving the congregation, and maintaining referrals to professional counselors.

March 9, 2008

Doug McCulley

Care & Counseling

Confidentiality in a Counseling Setting

A Christian counselor explains why confidentiality matters, when accountability requires broader involvement, and what church leaders should know. Practical policy recommendations help protect pastoral care while encouraging healing, trust, and healthy communication.

March 9, 2008

David Bycroft

Church & Ministry Church Growth

An Epidemic of Selfishness

Personal preferences can quietly become roadblocks to evangelism and growth. David Bycroft calls the church to Paul’s others-first attitude and offers practical ways congregations can cultivate selflessness for the sake of reaching the lost.

March 2, 2008

LeRoy Lawson

Church Leadership Eldership

I Want to Be Like Them

LeRoy Lawson reflects on the elders who sustained his ministry. He describes the best traits of church elders—humble love, prayerful wisdom, steady encouragement, and a “grandfather” heart that leads by love.

March 2, 2008

C. Robert Wetzel

Church Leadership Eldership

They Never Stopped Teaching Me

C. Robert Wetzel reflects on decades of ministry shaped by faithful church elders—through ordination, encouragement, and hard-won lessons in faith, humility, and love that continued teaching him long after he left home.

March 2, 2008

Amy Norman

Organizations & Events Conferences & Gatherings

Talking Together, Learning Together

Nearly 100 men gathered at Chapel Rock Christian Church for the fourth annual Indianapolis Congress of Elders, featuring practical workshops, case studies, and a keynote challenge from Ken Idleman on faithful leadership.

March 2, 2008

Chuck Sackett

Church Leadership Ministry Training & Education

Celebrating Ordination

Chuck Sackett reflects on ordination and the call to ministry, urging churches to pair careful evaluation with long-term encouragement and accountability for those they ordain.

February 24, 2008

Dave Ferguson

Church & Ministry Church Growth

The Polysite Church

A ministry leader asks what to do for people who won’t step into a church service. Dave Ferguson explores why multisite isn’t enough for many and calls churches to become “polysite” in everyday places.

February 24, 2008

C. Robert Wetzel

Organizations & Events Conferences & Gatherings

The World Convention: Christmas Truce or Reclaiming a Heritage?

Drawing on the 1914 Christmas Truce, C. Robert Wetzel recounts how the World Convention of Churches of Christ has fostered unity across the Stone-Campbell Movement—strengthening fellowship, global partnership, and evangelistic witness.

February 24, 2008

Jeff Weston

Organizations & Events Conferences & Gatherings

An Invitation from the World Convention’s Executive Director

What is the World Convention? Jeff Weston explains its 1930 beginnings, its call for unity without uniformity, and what to expect this year—worship, workshops, global exhibits, and community involvement.

February 24, 2008

Phil LeMaster

Organizations & Events Conferences & Gatherings

Southern Hospitality at This Year’s World Convention

Coming to Nashville for the World Convention of Churches of Christ? Here are practical tips to help you enjoy Music City—from live venues and local favorites to historic sites, arts destinations, and family-friendly attractions.

February 24, 2008

By Staff

Organizations & Events Conferences & Gatherings

The 2008 World Convention: Program, Speakers, Registration

The 2008 World Convention (July 30–August 3) meets in Nashville, Tennessee. Get the full program schedule, main-session speakers, Bible study leaders, and details on how to register and find housing information.

February 17, 2008

T.C. Cam Huxford

Organizations & Events Conferences & Gatherings

Living Dangerously: The 2008 North American Christian Convention

Cam Huxford calls believers to “live dangerously” in full devotion to Christ and invites churches to the 2008 North American Christian Convention, July 1-4, for preaching, training, and catalytic connection in Cincinnati.

February 17, 2008

Julie Gariss

Organizations & Events Conferences & Gatherings

2008 NACC Women’s Conference: The Best Part Is in the Middle

Julie Gariss invites women at the North American Christian Convention to a “conference inside the convention,” featuring workshops, Bible studies, a luncheon, a ministers’ wives’ tea, and speakers including Liz Curtis Higgs and Becky Pippert.

February 17, 2008

By Staff

Organizations & Events Conferences & Gatherings

2008 NACC: Outside the Program

Headed to Cincinnati for the NACC? Here are extra opportunities beyond the main program—pre-convention events, ticketed gatherings during the week, and chaperoned day trips for children ages 6–12.

February 17, 2008

David H. Ray

Organizations & Events Conferences & Gatherings

2008 NACC: Come See Cincinnati

Make the North American Christian Convention a family getaway. From Cincinnati’s riverfront and museums to sports, arts, and Restoration Movement history, this guide highlights what to see while you’re in town for NACC.

February 17, 2008

By Various

Organizations & Events Conferences & Gatherings

I Believe in the NACC!

A collection of reflections from multiple voices on why they value the NACC—highlighting Bible Bowl, worship, teaching, encouragement for ministry, and the partnership and networking the convention helps foster.

February 17, 2008

Jud Wilhite

Church Leadership Leadership Development

The Assassin of Character Creep

Jud Wilhite warns leaders about “character creep”—small compromises that quietly erode integrity. Using the Titanic as an illustration, he urges practical safeguards, honest friendships, and daily attention to the “rivets” that keep a life and ministry intact.

Confidentiality: Always Helpful or Not?

Policy on Confidentiality (a Proposal)

Your Church’s Confidentiality Policy

Confidentiality in a Counseling Setting

An Epidemic of Selfishness

I Want to Be Like Them

They Never Stopped Teaching Me

Talking Together, Learning Together

Celebrating Ordination

The Polysite Church

The World Convention: Christmas Truce or Reclaiming a Heritage?

An Invitation from the World Convention’s Executive Director

Southern Hospitality at This Year’s World Convention

The 2008 World Convention: Program, Speakers, Registration

Living Dangerously: The 2008 North American Christian Convention

2008 NACC Women’s Conference: The Best Part Is in the Middle

2008 NACC: Outside the Program

2008 NACC: Come See Cincinnati

I Believe in the NACC!

The Assassin of Character Creep

A Life Changing Experience

Be Careful What You Say

Almost No One Burns Out Over Too Much Work—Some Thoughts On Therapeutic Faith

A Life Changing Experience

Be Careful What You Say

Almost No One Burns Out Over Too Much Work—Some Thoughts On Therapeutic Faith

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