April 16, 2006
Bargain Basement Salvation
Salvation is free to us because Jesus paid the price, but discipleship has no discounts. Ralph Shead challenges readers to stop shopping for bargains and to follow Jesus with full commitment.
Series: Featured
April 16, 2006
Reclaiming Peter’s Radical Response to Jesus
Jim Dalrymple urges churches to recover the radical meaning of the Good Confession in Matthew 16. Peter’s declaration draws a line of loyalty and carries responsibilities that must be lived out, not merely repeated.
April 16, 2006
Seamless, Polished, Professional
A worship leader recounts “messy” but deeply anointed moments, including a special-needs drama and a heartfelt Communion meditation, urging churches to plan excellent worship that is also inclusive and authentic.
April 9, 2006
MEGACHURCH PROFILE/Web Only: Adventure Christian Church
Adventure Christian Church grew rapidly from its earliest days to a major campus in Roseville, California. After years of fast growth, leaders are pausing to clarify vision, strengthen systems, and keep evangelism and compassionate outreach central.
April 9, 2006
MEGACHURCH PROFILE: SouthBrook Christian Church
SouthBrook Christian Church embraced “less is more,” pruning complexity and focusing on mission clarity. Learn how strategic simplicity, multisite ministry, and “Water Cooler Weekends” helped fuel remarkable growth and community.
April 9, 2006
MEGACHURCH PROFILE: Mountain Christian Church
Founded in 1824, Mountain Christian Church blends longstanding community trust with a future-focused mission. Leaders emphasize conversion growth through preaching, worship, and community service, supported by a robust small-group system and a strategic church plant in White Marsh.
MEGACHURCH PROFILE: Pantano Christian Church
Pantano Christian Church in Tucson has pursued a multi-year pastoral transition plan while shifting to collaborative leadership, expanding small groups, and launching church-planting efforts locally and internationally.
MEGACHURCHES: The Coach in the Pulpit
A college coaching analogy frames the pressures on megachurch senior ministers, the dynamics of icon culture, and research on tenure and growth. The article argues churches should begin succession planning earlier to ensure healthier transitions.
April 9, 2006
MEGACHURCHES: A Mega-Summary of Our Churches
A statistical snapshot of emerging megachurches and megachurches in Christian churches and churches of Christ, highlighting 2005 attendance trends, baptisms, multisite growth, staffing ratios, and facility and finance benchmarks for churches of every size.
April 9, 2006
MEGACHURCHES: Facts & Figures
Core 2005 statistics for megachurches and emerging megachurches in the Christian churches/churches of Christ, including attendance totals, growth rates, fastest-growing churches, baptism rates, and a state-by-state snapshot.
CHRISTIAN STANDARD AT 140: It Fills a Hole in the Sky
Ben Cachiaras reflects on The Christian Standard’s 140 years, using a willow tree metaphor to show why the magazine remains a vital hub for communication, conversation, and encouragement across the movement.
April 2, 2006
CHRISTIAN STANDARD AT 140: 140 Years of Leadership
By Henry E. Webb Seven score years ago (to borrow Abraham Lincoln”s reckoning) CHRISTIAN STANDARD was launched in Cleveland, Ohio. It was at a time when the nation was facing a critical period of transition. The terrible Civil War had just ended. The South was defeated, demoralized, and impoverished. In contrast, the North was on the brink of a new era that would bring vigorous industrial expansion and technological leadership to part of the nation. If the South faced postwar depression, the North entered a time of prosperity and progressive expansion. Hitherto divided over slavery and war, the nation would
April 2, 2006
CHRISTIAN STANDARD AT 140: 25 Years as the Editor
By Sam E. Stone I can”t remember just when I started reading CHRISTIAN STANDARD. My dad subscribed to it for many years. Each week it arrived at our home in Clovis, New Mexico. I do know for sure that I was reading it regularly when I was a teenager. The evidence for that is my letter to the editor that was published on August 28, 1954. At that time the venerable W. R. Walker wrote a weekly column, “The Counselor”s Question Box.” In it he responded to questions and comments from the readers. I wrote in to take exception to
April 2, 2006
Saying the Last Good-bye to My Dad
By Paul E. Boatman I write these words at my dad”s bedside in early November. It is Tuesday morning at 5, and Russell Boatman”s death is expected within hours. He has seemed close to death several times in the past year, but this time the end of life seems imminent. His 91-year-old body is yielding to the inevitable outcome of living in a fallen world. He is resting fitfully, breathing in shallow gasps, and talking to himself about needing to “get going.” He clings to life with the tenacity of one who prizes life as God”s gift, yet he has
March 26, 2006
Unleashing the Potential of the Smaller Church
Most churches in America are smaller congregations, and their local presence is strategic. Shawn McMullen highlights why small churches matter and introduces a resource designed to help leaders and volunteers expand ministry impact.
March 26, 2006
A Church Replant in an Urban Setting
Facing decline and a changing neighborhood, West Side Christian Church chose a bold replant that became The Pearl. This story traces the costly transition, urban ministry realities, and renewed commitment to future church planting in Denver.
March 26, 2006
A Rural Church with a World Focus
A small rural Kentucky church helped fuel the growth of Workers for Mexico Mission through bold generosity, hands-on trips, and lasting partnership—showing what a big vision can do through steady faithfulness.
March 26, 2006
A Surprising End to a Skirmish in the Worship Wars
A loud youth concert meets an elderly congregation—and a surprising benediction reveals the deeper solution to worship wars. This reflection points to relationships, trust, and intergenerational encouragement as keys to a healthier church future.
March 19, 2006
Second Guessing God
Why does God allow terrible things to happen? Brian Jones tackles that question with grace, humor, and transparency in a book that speaks to anyone who has faced trouble of any kind. “From the first paragraph I was captured by his open and engaging style,” Gene Appel said. “Brian Jones . . . expresses the heart”s disappointment and longing with a directness that somehow always ends up leading us toward God,” wrote John Ortberg. “This book was written by, for, and in the midst of people with bruised souls,” Jones says in his introduction. “My goal has been to write
March 19, 2006
The Times They Are A-Changin’
After 35+ years in local ministry, Phil LeMaster surveys how busyness, shifting church “brand” loyalty, worship changes, staffing growth, and bigger facilities have reshaped preaching—while reminding us people still need Jesus.
