August 22, 2011
A Memorial
Ben Merold reflects on the memorial of the Wright brothers’ first flight and how Communion calls Christians to remember Christ’s death, the atonement on the cross, and the resurrection.
Articles for tag: Body of Christ
December 6, 2010
Leading Beyond Your Ability
Rick Grover reflects on leading beyond personal ability through dependence on God, trust in others, outside help, and renewed humility in church leadership.
November 8, 2010
Teams Function Like Teams
By Stephen Bond I played water polo in high school. Water polo is a team sport. Each player in the pool has a distinct role, and each one depends on the other if the team is to be successful. On my high school team we had Mike Moore, a scoring machine, “in the hole” on the offensive end of the pool and Guy Antley on the defensive end as our goalie. Both men received All-American awards but both played very different roles on our team. We needed both Mike and Guy (and several more of us non-All-American players) to win. The
September 15, 2010
Sad Because She Left Us
Mark A. Taylor reflects on Anne Rice’s disappointment with the church and points instead to the grace, welcome, and authentic community Christians are called to build together.
The Revolutionary Relevance of Christian Hope in Communion
Ash Barker reflects on sharing Communion in Klong Prem prison and discovering revolutionary hope in Christ’s body, blood, and promised return.
February 10, 2010
A New Look at What We Need
Mark A. Taylor previews a North American Christian Convention shaped by Ben Cachiaras’s renewed calls to mission, restoration, and fresh engagement with a changing culture.
January 3, 2010
Local Church Membership: Who Needs It?
John Castelein explores local church membership through a candid conversation between elders and seminary students about commitment, accountability, authority, baptism, and belonging.
October 19, 2008
Hunting or Hunted?
Don Wilson urges pastors and church staff to handle ministry transitions with honesty, prayer, and open communication, reducing misunderstandings and honoring the body of Christ together.
July 27, 2008
Lessons Learned from Christ’s Church
Bruce E. Shields reflects on ordinary congregations, faithful mentors, grief, generosity, and mission, showing how Christ’s real and often messy church teaches wisdom no classroom can fully provide.
The Christ, the Church, and the Christian
Knofel Staton argues that “Christ yes, but the church no” is impossible, showing from New Testament images that Christians belong to Christ’s body, bride, army, and family.
Reimagining Youth Ministry
Curtis Booher and Phyllis Fox urge churches to reimagine youth ministry by integrating teens into the broader church body through relationships, belonging, and meaningful service.
January 6, 2008
To Err Is Divine: “Pastoring” in Biblical Perspective
Church leadership isn’t secured by titles but proven through shepherding. This piece contrasts “Tyrant” and “CEO” pastor models with New Testament care rooted in Jesus the Shepherd and expressed through accountable, grace-shaped ministry.
What the Bible Says About the Body
Scripture calls for stewardship of the body without idolizing it. Paul E. Boatman explores Jesus’ teaching on accountability, Paul’s call to discipline, and the rich analogies of the Holy Spirit’s temple and Christ’s body.
May 27, 2007
Do Some Missions Committees Interpret Their Strategies Too Narrowly?
Michael Sweeney reflects on how missions committees decide where to give—and why “front line” missions includes not only overseas workers, but also the supporters, trainers, and administrators who help them stay on the field.
March 18, 2007
Coaching God’s Team (Part 2)
Using a coaching metaphor, Jim Putman urges church leaders to equip believers for ministry and prioritize disciple-making over spectator Christianity—developing leaders from within so the whole body works together.
November 6, 2005
The Church Is Constitutionally One (Part 3 of 3)
Using Ephesians 4:1-6, Clint Gill explains the church as constitutionally one—an organic unity grounded in one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God.
October 19, 2005
Poorest of All
Using David Hilfiker’s observations about urban poverty, this editorial challenges Christians to confront a different poverty—life without unity. It urges believers to begin with relationship, prayer, and shared fellowship across divisions.
