May 12, 2022
Poland and its people have been generous hosts to upwards of 3 million Ukrainian refugees . . . but it has taken a toll. “Poles are afraid,” says Jay Bowyer, a missionary with Graceland Ministries. “They are living their daily lives with the threat of war looming large.”
March 1, 2021
The year 2020 was extremely difficult for all of us, with challenges that reached into nearly every part of life and work. With most church buildings closed down for some time, it wasn’t surprising many church leaders allowed their Christian Standard subscriptions to lapse in order to cut costs and get past the pandemic, with thoughts of reassessing the relationship at a later time. We’ve been doing that same type of thing at Christian Standard Media—we’ve been figuring out ways to cut costs while providing the very best window into the world of church leadership and life in the Restoration
July 15, 2020
Afzal (not his real name) found Bob Milliken by chance. In fact, he somehow stumbled upon the Facebook page for Bob’s rural church and started commenting on some of the posts. Bob, the pastor of the church, and Afzal, a musician in the Middle East, began a correspondence that led to a friendship. Before long, they were talking worship, and Afzal told Bob he is a Christian worship leader in his strict Muslim community. Afzal is passionate about helping Christian musicians learn how to lead worship in their own communities. He had been discipling a group of 10 to 15
May 17, 2020
By Jim Estep In ministry, is it more important to be theologically correct or culturally relevant? Every congregation and Christian leader is confronted with this dilemma. Every theological tradition also is caught in the controversy. We all live in the tension between faithfulness to Scripture and relevance to the culture in which we minister . . . between being the church and doing the church’s mission. On one side we shout, “Theologically correct ministry!” As Christian leaders, we obviously need to side with being theologically correct and aligned with Scripture. If not, we fail to heed the warning of Anglican
February 11, 2018
By TR Robertson A lifetime of ministry together has given Dennis and Linda Messimer a rhythm of talking—they often finish each other’s sentences—and a rhythm of serving God together. “Dennis would teach Bible studies and I would teach the kids,” Linda says, describing the arrangement they’ve followed hundreds of times, on three continents. “. . . But once kids came along,” Dennis adds, “Linda wasn’t as involved in the ministry work as she had been earlier.” Since the kids have grown, Linda says, “I’ve done Bible studies with women and he did Bible studies with men. We support each other
May 29, 2017
By Jennifer Johnson The Mountain Riders pool funds to buy a new coat or a bag of groceries for a member in need. They visit each other”s friends and family members in the hospital. They build wheelchair ramps and do home improvement projects. In fact, the Riders””a ministry of Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, MD“”function as the church, offering opportunities for motorcycle riders and motorcycle fans to study, serve, and grow together. The Riders launched in 2005, and today more than 70 people participate in the group”s activities. While they enjoy their rides, leader Todd Holmberg talks more about the
August 20, 2015
By Jennifer Johnson Thanks, Dan. It”s been 20 years since high school, and I am still so indebted to my youth minister. I was in high school more years ago than I care to remember, so long before anything Internet that information about our fall retreats, ski trips, CIY conferences, service projects, church camp, parties, and mission trips was communicated via photocopied handouts. Dan Giese arrived at our church early in my middle school career and stayed until long after my high school graduation, so he was the only youth minister my friends and I knew. And he was the
October 26, 2014
By Michael C. Mack The “Preach Better Sermons” online conference webcast in April by Preaching Rocket (the rocketcompany.com), featured some of the best preachers and presenters around and provided great insights into preaching. The wisdom shared can also be applied to facilitating better Bible studies. Here are five practical tips: 1. Create tension. Andy Stanley spoke of how he deliberately creates tension in the beginning of his message to get people to say, “Tell me the answer to that question or problem.” You can do the same as you lead your group. Boil down your main lesson idea into one tension-building
August 9, 2014
By Teresa Schantz Williams Robert Stanfill is a slight, unassuming man with a weak heart that doctors thought would have failed him years ago. So he was as surprised as anyone to find himself launching a ministry to international college students. Robert Stanfill and his wife, Linda, both in their 60s, had no special aptitude for work with college students from distant lands. No cross-cultural experience. And though Avila University”s campus was just a mile from their south Kansas City home, college students weren”t exactly their “crowd.” They were veteran Christians, faithful members of the Red Bridge Church of Christ,
February 28, 2013
By Mark A. Taylor Months ago Matt Proctor chose the topic for the sermon he preached Monday evening (February 25) to kick off Ozark Christian College”s annual Preaching Teaching Convention. But he had no idea then how personal his message, titled “Trust Completely,” would become. The challenge to trust came into sharper focus for Matt when his wife, Katie, was diagnosed with endometrial cancer two weeks ago. “Not exactly the news a 44-year-old mother of six kids was hoping to hear,” Matt said, according to last week”s e-newsletter from the North American Christian Convention. The NACC made the announcement as
August 21, 2012
By Mark A. Taylor Every year we publish a directory of campus ministries like the one in this issue. Every year we include stories of dynamic, life-changing influence provided by these ministries. And every year I learn something new about outreach to young people forgotten or ignored by too many local churches. Obviously, many Christian churches and churches of Christ care about taking Christ to college students. Could we do more? Look at my list, and decide for yourself. 1. Choose a ministry. From our directory, find a campus ministry either (a) close to your local church, (b) on the
June 28, 2011
By Name Withheld When we arrived in China, we had no idea what to expect. Was it OK to bring a Bible into the country? Were there any churches? What if authorities found out we were Christians? My husband and I moved to China a few years ago so he could take a new job in his company. Since that time we have been blessed to meet many people and have some amazing opportunities. Although we are not part of any missionary organization, we have been privileged to work alongside some people who are. Let me tell you what we
March 3, 2011
This past Sunday, Granby (MO) Christian Church finished its fund-raising campaign to send “BibleSticks,” small digital audio players preloaded with a recording of the New Testament, to U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. For $25 church members could send a BibleStick overseas, plus response cards for the servicemen and women to request Bibles for family members. The church worked with Faith Comes By Hearing (Albuquerque, NM). “Chaplains from every branch of the military have been flooding FCBH with requests . . . more than 400 chaplains themselves [are] using BibleSticks in pre-deployment briefings, counseling sessions, Bible studies, weekly chapels and other spiritual
February 16, 2011
It is my earnest desire that after attending this year”s NACC, you and I””God”s church””will never be the same. If you have not been to the NACC in recent years, you may not be aware of the truly remarkable conventions we have been having. The NACC is the place to connect and network with people of the same faith. Men, women, ministers, missionaries, and educators from around the world come for a spiritually rejuvenating time of worship, fellowship, Bible studies, workshops, preaching, and teaching from some of the best Christian leaders in the country. I think it is the best
January 28, 2011
By Jennifer Taylor Central India Christian Mission not only offers the opportunity to sponsor children in northern India and Nepal (just $18 each month provides food, clothing, vitamins, school supplies and even extras like mosquito nets and sports equipment), but also allows groups or individuals to sponsor an evangelist. Between $200 and $400 per month (depending on the evangelist”s location) provides support for his ministry. “CICM”s evangelists faithfully serve existing churches and plant new churches in the villages, towns, and cities of central and northern India and the countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal,” CICM writes. “The evangelists visit their
September 28, 2010
By Jennifer Taylor “His Heart, His Hands” began with six people buying breakfast sandwiches at McDonald”s to distribute to the hungry and homeless of Chandler, Arizona. Today more than 35 volunteers serve hot breakfasts every Sunday morning to 60 homeless men and women from around the city. One reason for this rapid growth is obedience. Sharon Bouchard, a volunteer leader and a member at Chandler Christian Church, felt God leading her to the ministry. “Just a short time later, two other people told me they wanted to do something for the homeless,” she says. “I hadn”t mentioned it!
April 21, 2010
Seldom will we win a person to Christ without telling him truths of the gospel. But talking alone often is not the best first approach. This week”s writers remind us of a whole world of creativity that can engage doubters as well as disciples with the goodness of God. And I”m proud to add that Standard Publishing is getting ready to release a library of tools to help local churches use the arts in evangelism and Bible teaching. Watch for each of the following, available this June. “¢Â Stage It Right is a handbook for anyone doing drama or setting the stage
September 21, 2008
By Allan Dunbar It is a thrill to see how God uses a variety of logistical impossibilities to put property, people, and programs together to allow those who attend an NACC to be in the center of his blessings. I saw it happen again in Cincinnati this summer””and so did many others. In a quick review of comments from the feedback sheets, I read: “¢ “My husband and I were reluctant to come: short notice, money, children, etc. Couldn”t figure out WHY God wanted us to come. Well, we know now””to transform and look at our ministry from a different
July 13, 2008
By Mark A. Taylor How do leaders in Christian churches and churches of Christ feel about staying connected with others like themselves? After hearing from more than 1,200 of them in a survey conducted this spring, we feel confident of one conclusion: Leaders in our fellowship highly value their connections with each other. Seeking Connection Almost half (545 respondents, or 44 percent of the total) said it is “Very Important” to be connected with other leaders in Christian churches/churches of Christ. Another 21 percent (253 respondents) said it is “Critical.” That totals almost two-thirds of respondents, while only 11 percent
February 17, 2008
By Julie Gariss If you”ll excuse the pun, I”m a sucker for Tootsie Pops. Even though I will gladly risk a purple tongue for the melt-in-your-mouth, dribble-down-your-chin pleasure of the hard candy shell, it”s what is inside that round mound that truly excites my taste buds . . . chocolate! You just can”t beat finding a treasure inside of what is already considered a prize. The NACC has long been known as the prize of the Restoration churches””inspirational preaching, great fellowship, and motivational workshops. I will never forget the first one I attended back in the 1970s””I was literally moved
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