Series: Featured

September 2, 2012

Christian Standard

Demographic Darwinism and the Church

By Robert Hull I was born in 1943. Demographers are eager to put me in my place, but I”m not sure exactly where that is. They tell me if we stretch the boundaries a little, I”m considered a Baby Boomer (or just a “Boomer”). From the reading I have done lately, I think that”s bad news. Any day now Generation X is going to wrest power from me and my decrepit fellow Boomers, throw us all under the church bus (uh, van), reinvent the church we have loved and served with our idealism, strength, time, and money, and replace it

August 31, 2012

Christian Standard

Bigger Issue than Same-Sex Attraction?

By James Engelbrecht Individuals with same-sex attraction make up as much as 6 percent of the male population and 4.5 percent of females (though some studies estimate half that). Those are not insignificant numbers, especially when same-sex attraction involves you or someone you love. Thus began Mark Moore”s February 12, 2012, column, “How Should the Church Relate to Those with Same-Sex Attraction?” Here”s the rub. As a follower of Christ, I hear Christians say: “Keep your nose out of my private life.” “It”s my body.” “Christians aren”t called to be judgmental.” “It”s not a sin. I”m this way due to

August 28, 2012

Christian Standard

Scripture and Homosexual Practice

By Robert A.J. Gagnon While many Christians are firm in their objection to homosexual activity, our culture continues its trend toward normalizing it. While many Christians are certain homosexual activity is wrong, fewer Christians can answer secular claims that the Bible doesn”t really forbid it. Here is a concise (although longer than usual for this magazine) treatment of five key issues raised by defenders of homosexual practice. You will hear, or have heard, some of these claims. Until now you may not have read the straightforward reasons to refute them.   Issue: JESUS Claim: Jesus had no interest in maintaining a

August 27, 2012

Christian Standard

Do We Believe What We Sing?

By Tom Lawson Calvinism, largely through the influence of the Church of Scotland between 1600 and 1900, has become the dominant position of the majority of English-speaking Evangelical Protestants. The Stone-Campbell Movement, along with groups such as the Cumberland Presbyterians and Freewill Baptists, represent non-Calvinistic groups that have emerged within this broader majority. Since the hymns and songs used in Christian worship are widely shared across denominational lines, it is not surprising that many popular Christian songs come from dedicated Calvinists. In many cases the doctrinal distinctives of Calvinism do not emerge in the lyrics of a song, even if the

August 27, 2012

Christian Standard

Milligan Mourns Death of Don Jeanes, Former President

Milligan College in Tennessee is mourning the death of its 14th president and chancellor, Dr. Donald R. Jeanes, who died unexpectedly on Monday morning, Aug. 27, 2012. “This comes as a great shock to us all,” said Milligan President Bill Greer. “As our 14th president and chancellor, Don”s presence at Milligan has been deep and far-reaching. His influence helped reshape the college physically, academically, financially, and relationally with the community and churches. Don was a great personal friend to many of us, and this is a great loss.” The Milligan community will gather Monday at 12:15 p.m. in the Mary B. Martin Auditorium

August 26, 2012

Christian Standard

Calvinism: A Chronicle and a Warning

By Stephen Richardson Popular print media, both religious and secular, have reported the resurgence of Calvinist theology, especially among young Evangelical Christians. Perhaps we ought to review Calvinism”s basic tenets and consider cautions about its implications. Known generally as Reformed Theology, Calvinism has been a prominent feature of Protestant Christianity since the 16th century. The extent of John Calvin”s influence upon Christian thought is incalculable and cannot be ignored””nor should we desire to overlook him. Both Calvinists and those who are not recognize his stellar mind represented in prodigious literary output and stimulating contributions to Christian theology. We must give Calvin

August 25, 2012

Christian Standard

The Half-Inch Solution

By Daniel Schantz One of my Bible college students came flying out of chapel, shielding her eyes with her hand. “Are you OK?” I asked. She shook her head. “It”s the music””it”s so loud it gives me headaches.” I can”t tell you how many times I have heard church members say, “Sometimes I just hate going to church because the music is so loud.” It”s not the type of music they are objecting to so much as the volume. Solve the volume problem and I strongly suspect the worship wars would soon die down. Music ministers seem to think that

August 22, 2012

Christian Standard

Mining for Diamonds

By Greg Swinney A few months ago, I found myself sitting at a roadside taco stand in Mexico. I could hardly believe where I was and what I was doing. A three and one-half hour church service had just ended and those who helped lead the service were hungry. They invited me to go “out to eat” with them. It was 10 p.m. and I was ready for some food, but I had no idea it meant sitting on white plastic stack chairs along the side of the dusty road and eating out of the back end of a brightly

August 21, 2012

Christian Standard

Called to Be Faithful

By Tommy and Jennifer White “Jesus hasn”t come through for me. There is no “˜Savior.” We save ourselves,” said Craig, a University of Utah student who was baptized into Christ in spring 2010. He read the Bible and prayed. He worshipped in community and served in a local church. He struggled with addictions. He expected Jesus, and other believers, to provide the perpetual high he craved. Today he”s angry and has walked away from Jesus. After three years of seeking to establish a body of Christ followers on college campuses in Utah, we”ve realized””sometimes through disappointment””we may not see measurable

August 20, 2012

Christian Standard

List of Campus Ministries for 2012

Click here to download the 2012 Campus Ministries List for more than 100 campus ministries in the United Stands (and a handful of international campus ministries). For your convenience, we are also listing the campus ministries below (with active links). ________ ALABAMA Auburn University Auburn Christian Fellowship 334-821-3963 Perry Rubin www.auburnchristianfellowship.com au***********************@***il.com   ARKANSAS University of Arkansas Christ on Campus 479-521-8358 Mike Armstrong www.christoncampus.org co**@************us.org   University of Arkansas””Fort Smith Christ on Campus 479-452-1901 Jeff Miller je**@*******fs.org   COLORADO Colorado School of Mines/Red Rocks Community College Rocky Mountain Campus Ministry 303-988-1024 Ext. 5 Art Heffron   Colorado State University Impact@CSU 970-449-3716 Matt Harris www.impactingcsu.com

August 20, 2012

Christian Standard

Here They Come . . . and There They Go

By Mike Armstrong College campuses across the country will soon be flooded with the next class of new students. Also arriving will be thousands of the most promising students from around the world, with more than half of these coming from the world”s least-reached nations. Both American and international students will arrive with dreams and plans for their college careers and their futures. But what most will not realize is that when they arrive on campus, God is already there. Many of these students will encounter God in ways that will change their lives. Saying “hello” to these new students

August 17, 2012

Christian Standard

A Voice from Long Ago

By Jewell Johnson When my husband retired after 42 years as a minister, a time of adjustment followed. As LeRoy reflected on his years in ministry, he began to second-guess all the time he had spent working for God. Did I do any good? he asked himself. Is there any lasting fruit from those years? Did I help even one person? A few years after retirement, LeRoy and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. That”s when we received a special phone call. “Does a Pastor Johnson live at this number?” a hesitant voice asked. As LeRoy talked on the phone,

August 16, 2012

Christian Standard

Deployed

By Kavan Rogness Several months ago at University Christian Church in Manhattan, Kansas, we came up with an idea to get the church involved in the community. The bulk of the inspiration came from a staff member who attended the February 2011 Preaching and Teaching Conference at Ozark Christian College. There he heard about Vince Antonucci”s book Guerilla Lovers and the “guerilla” assignments Antonucci developed to encourage Christians to get outside their comfort zones and show God”s love through acts of kindness. We decided to challenge our congregation with the idea. The result was a military-themed sermon series called “Deployed” that not

August 15, 2012

Christian Standard

Is Modern Israel the Key to God’s Plan?

By Jon Weatherly Is the founding of the modern state of Israel a sign that Jesus will return soon? Does God judge today’s nations based on how they treat Israel, or Jews in general? Does the Bible teach Christians always to side with Israel in conflicts with its neighbors? Many American Christians would answer all of these questions in the affirmative. Through the influence of popular preachers and writers, they have come to believe the modern state of Israel plays a clear and crucial role in the Bible. They are therefore prepared to give unconditional, unqualified support to the nation

August 13, 2012

Christian Standard

Introducing Standard Lesson Resources

By Jon Underwood This year marks 60 years of publishing the Standard Lesson Commentary. While that sounds impressive, it barely scratches the surface of Standard Publishing”s tradition of publishing Sunday school resources. The Adult Bible Class is in its 137th year of publication, and Bible Teacher and Leader is in its 114th. Since the beginning of the Uniform Series in 1872, Standard Publishing has been involved. Our founder, Isaac Errett, served on the Lesson Committee from 1884 until his death in 1888. Standard Publishing has a proud history, but it”s not living in the past. This year we are introducing

August 11, 2012

Christian Standard

To Drink or Not to Drink?

By John Caldwell I decided many years ago totally to abstain from alcohol, and it is my opinion that all Christians would do well to make the same decision. I believe this issue is important because it relates to a broader, and thus even more significant subject””that of the modern church”s ongoing move toward becoming more and more like the world.   My Bias In the interest of full disclosure, I am biased. I hate alcohol””not the taste (although to be honest, I hate that too), but what it does to people. The first funeral of a teenager that I

August 11, 2012

Christian Standard

Thousands Meet in Brazil for World Convention

Almost 4,000 Christians from around the world met in Goiania, Brazil, for fellowship, worship, preaching, and learning at the 18th Global Gathering of the World Convention, July 25-28. Plenary speakers from Brazil, the United States, Australia, Ghana, and Portugal gave challenging lessons focused on the theme of “Sharing the Love that Unites.” Ken Young, along with singers and musicians from the United States and Brazil, led heartfelt praise to God in song. Teachers from eight countries led workshops on the Bible, Christian history, and worldwide ministries. This was the first gathering to be held in what is called the Global

August 6, 2012

Christian Standard

Confronting Burnout in the Ministry (Part 2)

By Daniel Sherman Burnout is one of the fiercest foes of pastoral ministry. It robs a pastor of needed energy and creates an atmosphere characterized by cynicism and futility. But it”s neither inevitable nor permanent. Still, one must be on guard and have appropriate weapons to confront burnout. Last week we discussed the definition and the cause of burnout. We learned a minister is suffering burnout when he (1) feels exhausted; (2) becomes cynical, removed, emotionally distant from people and ministry; and (3) believes he is not making any difference””that all his work is in vain. A burned-out person will

August 6, 2012

Christian Standard

10 Ways to Encourage Your Minister

By Victor M. Parachin   So this is the pastorate? Is this the ministry? To be misunderstood, unappreciated, alone, and misquoted with no hope of correction? This is a painful, lonely business. That lament was a journal entry made by pastor David Fisher shortly after he began ministry. Fortunately, Fisher, author of The 21st Century Pastor, weathered that difficult time. Other ministers, however, are not as fortunate. Recent polls reveal high-level dissatisfaction and discouragement among those in the ministry: “¢ 1,700 ministers leave ministry every month, an annual exodus of more than 20,000 “¢ 50 percent of ministers quit within five years of

August 5, 2012

Christian Standard

Hanging with Naughty Matt

By Tim Harlow Imagine the party when the tax collector got some friends together to meet Jesus. Matthew was a tax collector. The Jews hated tax collectors because they were usually swindlers and “sellouts” who worked for the Romans. You couldn”t get any lower than a tax collector. They even had their own category: there were “sinners,” and there were “tax collectors.” Jesus and the disciples came upon Matthew one day and Jesus said, “Why don”t you quit your job and follow me?” Matthew said “yes,” and the next thing you know Jesus was at a party at Matthew”s house.

Help Keep Christian Standard Free & Accessible with a Tax Deductible Donation

We can do more together!

Every gift makes a difference!

No, thank you.
100% secure transactions - receipts provided.
Does Your Church Want to Support Christian Standard?

Would your church consider including support for Christian Standard in its annual missions budget? Your support would help us not only continue the 160-year legacy of this unifying ministry, but also expand the free resources, cooperative opportunities, and practical guidance we provide to strengthen churches in the U.S. and around the world.

We can do more together!

Every gift makes a difference!

No, thank you.
100% secure transactions - receipts provided.
Secret Link