October 14, 2024
October 20 Application | Hurling Down the Accuser
How can we overcome the devil? Not by becoming slanderers ourselves, but by relying on, and faithfully testifying about, what Christ has done to redeem us.
Articles for tag: 1 Timothy 5:1
April 23, 2024
Your Later Years Can Be Greater Years!
In his new book, "Not Too Old," Christian Standard contributing editor David Faust explains how "your later years can be greater years." In the book, David encourages readers to continue to "bear fruit in old age" (Psalm 92:14) . . .
December 5, 2022
The Preaching Elder
e2:effective elders has created a four-part resource designed to empower elders to preach. "The Preaching Elder: Refilling the Preaching Pipeline" was created especially with elders in mind—to offer training through a book and other resources to help with a need that has developed because of a diminishing preaching pipeline.
September 21, 2020
Who Is Worthy to Lead? (Sept. 27 Lesson Application)
This “Application“ column goes with the Bible Lesson for Sept. 27, 2020: Lead (1 Timothy 3:1-16; 5:17-22) ________ By David Faust I don’t measure up. That feeling stirs in my heart when I read the daunting biblical qualifications for church leaders. From one perspective, what the Lord asks of leaders isn’t very different from what he asks of every Christian. Who shouldn’t be gentle and hospitable? Who shouldn’t avoid the love of money? But “above reproach” is a tall order. God has high expectations of church leaders, and “we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1). Oversight of
October 31, 2013
Imperfect People””Perfect Plan
By Dyke McCord Let me tell you about how my elders and I function together. While there will always be differences of opinion, the elders and ministry staff at my church demonstrate unity (Ephesians 4:11-13). Our support for one another privately and corporately leads to high levels of trust within the body. These are not yes-men, but rather men with strength of character and a level of support that demonstrates, “No matter what, we”re going to get through this together.” We all work to be genuine and transparent. Leadership credibility is the result. Boundaries Our elders don”t protect
April 20, 2013
Lessons from a Fat Wallet
By Eddie Lowen Not long ago, removing my wallet from my pants pocket became difficult. That”s a good thing, right? On Subway restaurants” TV commercial, a thick wallet is evidence of frugal spending and increasing net worth. Dave Ramsey likes fat wallets. However, my wallet was gaining girth from items other than legal tender and dead presidents. Membership cards were to blame. Multiple membership cards. Some were plastic, others card stock. I emptied my wallet and discovered nearly a dozen membership cards to seemingly every organization in our city and beyond. A sampling of my memberships includes: Sam”s Club, which
May 7, 2012
Policy Governance: Adapt, Don”t Adopt
By Don Green Since Lincoln Christian University”s board of trustees made a transition in governance several years ago, I have been an advocate of John Carver”s model of Policy Governance for churches and Christian organizations. Now that I have helped several churches in their leadership transition, I have come to appreciate the importance of adapting these principles. However, I have some concern about adopting the Carver model without thinking theologically and biblically about church structures and governance process. From more than 30 years of working with churches and church leaders, I know that governance structures and decision-making systems are especially
October 3, 2011
Fellow Elder
By Steve Reeves My wife and I spent Cinco de Mayo in a Midwestern city watching a wide variety of Americans dancing and celebrating. The event commemorates the Mexican army”s defeat of the French on May 5, 1862. I noticed that, generally, it took two to tango, but there were a few who tried to do the tango by themselves. So, understanding that there are two sides to every story, and it usually takes two to tango, I want to discuss a disturbing pattern among churches of all sizes. Here”s how it works . . . A preacher goes on
November 26, 2006
The Human Touch
By Lee Snyder Although we had been getting together for five years, the members of our small group still had trouble carrying on a normal conversation. Vicki and I started the Bible study group in our home with 10 or 12 people, and we met each week except in the summer. All of us learned a lot about the Word and a little about each other. After half a decade, though, we still felt a certain reserve with each other. Recently, we tried again. This time, our Bible study lasted only three months. Yet, at the end of the time,
