March 12, 2006
The Chairman of the Elders
What is the chairman of the elders—and what is he not? Gary Fait reflects on rotating leadership, church authority, and why the chairman’s role should be defined by service, not superiority.
Series: Featured
March 12, 2006
Grow Church, Grow!
Why do some churches grow rapidly while others struggle? Doug Carter points to shared traits of growing churches: faith-filled risk, a clear commitment to evangelism, and unified values, structure, and style.
March 12, 2006
Humility in Leadership
Hardship can reshape spiritual leaders—restoring humility, tenderizing compassion, and deepening dependence on God. Greg Marksberry reflects on how suffering can recalibrate a leader’s heart toward Christlike service and lasting impact.
March 5, 2006
Trading Potential for Passion
In this excerpt from Trading Places, Steve Wyatt shows how Jesus shaped John’s passion into steadfast love—affirming uniqueness, rejecting manipulation, and modeling servant leadership that calls people to grow within an atmosphere of acceptance.
March 5, 2006
Grace in Sin City
A Las Vegas “family” of churches grew from Central Christian Church in Henderson into multiple congregations shaped by a shared commitment to grace, outreach, and leadership development—bringing “living water” to the Mojave Desert.
March 5, 2006
Thinking Outside the Box
Arron Chambers examines how church buildings can help—or hinder—the mission of reaching lost people, urging leaders to “think outside the box” and keep the church moving, growing, and caring like a living body.
March 5, 2006
Our Acorn-to-Oak Story
John Faust reflects on four early elders at Southeast Christian Church and the leadership qualities that helped lay a lasting foundation—quality, trust, unity, and availability—for the church’s growth in Louisville.
February 26, 2006
Little League Baseball, Collaboration, and Church Planting
Tom Jones connects lessons from coaching Little League to the growing strength of church planting networks. Collaboration among churches and organizations can share resources, coaching, and services to launch new congregations and multiply kingdom impact.
February 26, 2006
Another One?
Do we really need another church? Robert Kitchen argues yes—because lost people still need to be reached, communities keep changing, and planting new churches remains a powerful method of evangelism.
February 26, 2006
Church Plants, 2003-2005 (chart)
A brief notice sharing an updated PDF chart listing new congregations planted by Christian churches and churches of Christ from January 2003 through December 2005.
February 26, 2006
First Things First
Using Hurricane Katrina rebuilding as a picture, Rick Grover challenges church planters and leaders to put first things first, take the long view, and grow deep roots in spiritual health and patient ministry.
February 19, 2006
‘Are We There Yet?’: The Case for Short-Term Family Mission Trips
Short-term missions can be more than a meaningful week away. Learn how families can prepare, serve humbly, and build an ongoing Great Commission lifestyle that lasts beyond the trip.
February 19, 2006
Confessions of a Reluctant Servant
Jesus doesn’t oppose greatness—he redefines it. Dave Smith reflects on Mark 8 and Mark 10, showing how true greatness is lived through servanthood, sacrifice, and daily faithfulness when ministry includes suffering.
February 19, 2006
Set Apart to Shine
A firsthand report from the 2005 National Missionary Convention in Atlanta, where testimonies, preaching, workshops, and service projects encouraged thousands to live “set apart to shine” and consider cross-cultural mission service.
February 19, 2006
The Making of a Missionary
How should churches evaluate missionary candidates seeking support? Dale Meade challenges common assumptions and urges clear missions goals, meaningful commitment, and strong training standards for effective gospel work.
February 12, 2006
The Hidden Wound and the Healing Table
Robert F. Hull Jr. reflects on Wendell Berry’s The Hidden Wound, revisiting memories of “soft” bigotry and a painful college moment. He points to forgiveness in Christ and the Lord’s table as healing for racism’s wounds.
February 12, 2006
African-American Evangelism: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?
W. Ray Kelley examines why many Restoration Movement churches have struggled to evangelize and integrate African-Americans, highlighting history, present challenges, and practical steps for intentional, sustained ministry in diverse communities.
February 12, 2006
Random Thoughts on Benevolence
Carl B. Bridges offers five practical observations about helping the needy—combining compassion with realism, wise giving, volunteer service, and humility amid political disagreements.
February 12, 2006
Garden Friends
Following Jesus is tough—especially for church leaders who feel they have nowhere to be honest. Jeff Krajewski points to Jesus’ own trusted friends and urges the church to become a place of safety and grace.
February 5, 2006
NACC: Together in Christ
A call to renewed unity within the Restoration family, centered on Jesus’ prayer in John 17 and the 2006 North American Christian Convention theme, “Together in Christ,” in Louisville.
