September 4, 2023
September 10 | Application (‘Tell Her’)
If God has blessed you with a noble wife, thank him—and tell her. . . .
Articles for tag: Restoration Movement
Helping the Church Thrive Between Ministers
An Interview with Leaders from Transitional Interim Pastor Services By Shawn McMullen Recently Christian Standard met with three leaders who serve with Transitional Interim Pastor Services, a ministry of NXTStep Church Services (yourncs.org), to learn about their unique approach to interim ministry. John Cutshall, a graduate of Cincinnati Christian University, has been in ministry for more than 40 years. He spent his first 20 years in youth ministry before serving in senior ministry positions. Greg Comp, also a graduate of CCU, is a second-generation minister. Following his graduation from Bible college, Comp served as an associate minister. At age 30
September 1, 2023
Is It Time for a New Restoration Movement? (Part 1)
By Jim Putman Though I grew up a preacher’s kid—and maybe because of it—I ended up in college as an unbeliever with a drinking problem. I had rejected my parents, but they were waiting to journey with me back to Jesus. Back then, I would have said there is no God . . . that God had been “educated” out of me. I was no victim, however—I was rebellious. My father sent me research that affirmed that some scientists believed in God, even though professors had told me no reputable scientist could. Over time, I moved from “there is no
August 23, 2023
News Briefs for August 23
Briefs from churches in Tennessee, Texas, and Iowa, along with items about an opportunity for high schoolers to take a Biblical Interpretation course for college credit (at a discount), and the passing of a retired Kentucky Christian University educator.
Florida Ministry School, GLCC Announce Partnership
The Advance Center for Ministry Training in Kissimmee, Fla., and Great Lakes Christian College, Lansing, Mich., have articulated a transfer agreement that will enable Advance graduates to complete their bachelor’s degrees at GLCC. . . .
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘What Our Websites Say About Baptism’ (2012)
In 2012, Daniel Overdorf and two friends examined 250 Christian Church and Church of Christ websites to determine how they presented their view of baptism to the public. Overdorf offers good suggestions for churches.
July 26, 2023
Riggins Named President of The Solomon Foundation (Plus News Briefs)
Ryan Riggins has joined The Solomon Foundation as president. He will work closely with CEO Doug Crozier to ensure the vision of the fast-growing church extension fund is translated into day-to-day operations. . . . Plus news briefs from Kentucky Christian University, Williamstown (Ky.) Christian Church, and more.
Onward Christian Academy Seeks Students from RM Churches
Jim Macdonald's quest to provide a solid education for his three daughters in the 1980s has grown and morphed through the years into Onward Christian Academy, an affordable online alternative to public schools. . . .
Smith Appreciative of Johnson U’s Efforts to Save Florida Christian College
Brian D. Smith is grieving the announcement that Johnson University Florida will close next summer, but he appreciates that Johnson University answered the call from Florida Christian College in that school's desperate hour of need in December 2012. (Smith, a former administrator with FCC, now serves as president of Dallas Christian College.)
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘When Christians Disagree’ (1957)
Dr. Henry E. Webb wrote in 1957: "A necessary condition for the success of any approach to Christian unity is the development of a satisfactory concept of Christian liberty—one that recognizes the right of another person to exercise his sincere mental and spiritual faculties with the freedom we demand for ourselves. . . ."
Disciple-Making Movements and the Restoration Movement
By Bobby Harrington I believe Christian Churches and the Restoration Movement are the best hope for disciple-making movements in North America. A disciple-making movement (DMM) is characterized by a rapid and exponential increase in disciples making disciples. These movements share a distinct group of priorities which provide the environment for viral multiplication. The emphasis on DMM principles started about 30 years ago, and now about 1,500 DMMs are reaching over 1 percent of the world’s population. Here is a four-point summary of the character traits of a disciple-making movement: 1. fast-growing 2. indigenous (of the local culture) 3. multiplying disciples and groups 4.
July 1, 2023
What the Restoration Movement Should Learn from Bud Light
By Jerry Harris Earlier this year, it seemed the whole country was caught up in the cancellation of Bud Light, America’s best-selling beer. The turmoil resulted from a promotion that connected the brand to Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender TikTok influencer; Bud Light sent personalized beer cans to Mulvaney celebrating both March Madness and Mulvaney’s yearlong transition to identify as a woman. Mulvaney’s videos on social media triggered a backlash that caused many Bud Light beer drinkers to reject the iconic brand. In just a few weeks, Anheuser-Busch lost $5 billion in market value, 17 percent in sales, and 21 percent
CIY Adding Sites, Equipment, and Staff to Extend Growth
Christ in Youth is expecting its busiest summer ever. The Joplin, Mo.-based youth ministry will host 56 middle and high school conferences this summer. It expects 53,000 students to attend—a record for the organization. About 2,000 students remain on waiting lists. . . .
June 6, 2023
SPOTLIGHT: SouthBrook Christian Church Grows Through Teaching, Service
Charlie McMahan says SouthBrook Christian Church in Miamisburg, Ohio, took a major step forward last year in its recovery from COVID-19—an event that he compares to the 9/11 terrorist attacks . . . but which had an opposite effect on the church in this country. . . .
GLCC Names Baldwin Next Dean of Students (Plus News Briefs)
Dr. Brian Baldwin has been hired as dean of students at Great Lakes Christian College, Lansing, Mich. Also briefs about Tina Wilson's new book, FAME, IDES, and more. . . .
18 Christian Colleges Have Closed Since COVID’s Arrival (Plus News Briefs)
Eighteen Christian colleges have closed since the arrival of COVID-19 in early 2020, Christianity Today reported. They include denominational and Restoration Movement-affiliated colleges. Plus additional news briefs, including the upcoming celebration of American Rehabilitation Ministries' 50th anniversary.
May 1, 2023
A Homecoming of the Heart: The Secret in Our Search for Unity
By Drew Baker The unfortunate consensus in the United States demands that our leaders come across as having all the answers. Whether politicians or preachers, we expect them to have perfect wisdom even if we know it’s an impossible ask. I can’t imagine a politician getting elected on a platform of humility and a willingness to learn even from political opponents. When it comes to preaching, we tend to expect more answers than questions from our pulpits. “Give us this day our daily truth, lead us not into contemplation, and deliver us from mystery.” In such a culture, it is
May 1, 2023
A Movement Away from Denominationalism: What’s It Mean for Us?
By Ben Cachiaras When asked about the key to his success, Dick Clark, of American Bandstand fame, replied, “I don’t set trends. I just find out what they are and exploit them.” Worrying about trends can get you into trouble. So can ignoring them. At the least, it seems wise for church leaders to strive to be like the men of Issachar “who understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles 12:32). In this spirit, I was asked to consider how we might understand and respond to the rising trends noted in “A ‘Postdenominational’ Era: Inside the
May 1, 2023
The Rise of the Nons and the Nearly Gones (and What We Can Do About It)
By Billy Strother Congregations need one another more than ever. They need a sense of unity for mission in community. As congregational leaders, pursuing a sense of unity in community will strengthen us all and increase our kingdom fruit. Jesus proclaimed, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and no city or house divided against itself will stand” (Matthew 12:25, New American Standard Bible). Ministering to the Nons Christianity is in retreat in our culture. We are familiar with the rise of the “nones” (30 percent of U.S. adults now claim no religious affiliation). But despite the challenges, strategic opportunities
May 1, 2023
Distinct Views on Christian Unity
3 Christian Leaders Share Their Perspectives on a Crucial Topic for Today’s Church
