Articles for tag: Christian growth

November 21, 2019

Christian Standard

I Thank My God for You

This is the first of two editorials that center on thanksgiving and the apostle Paul. This one, from Thanksgiving 1934, is by Edwin R. Errett, and was republished 50 years later. _ _ _ I Thank My God for You Editorial by Edwin R. ErrettNovember 24, 1934; p. 3(Adapted/republished November 18, 1984; p. 3) There may be a monotony about messages on thanksgiving, but there was one phrase of whose monotony the apostle Paul was not afraid. In almost every letter of his that we possess, that phrase has prominent place: “I thank my God for you.” Sometimes he was

January 21, 2017

Christian Standard

Our Link in the Chain

By Andy Daniell How a small, struggling local church found new vitality by simply meeting the need across the street. Almost all church growth and leadership models are built around these main factors: “¢ being true to your church”s DNA and finding your role in the kingdom; “¢ being willing to test and employ various approaches related to the vision that fulfills that role; “¢ being willing to change and/or shut down ministries and initiatives based on the first two factors; “¢ allowing room for God to bless the activities and use them in ways that are beyond what”s humanly

September 2, 2010

Christian Standard

Growing Like Jesus (Intro)

Mention growth to a Christian audience, and their thinking quickly goes to the spiritual. Yet “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:51, 52). He showed us that growing close to God is connected with every other kind of growth, too. The intellectual, physical, and social dimensions of life all connect to the spiritual. And growth in any of these areas is most successful when accompanied by growth in the other three. This week we asked eight friends, Christian Standard contributing editors or members of our Publishing Committee, “What has helped you grow?”

September 1, 2010

Christian Standard

Growing Like Jesus: The Bad Bounce

By Jim Tune (Jim Tune was among eight Christian leaders asked to share what helps them mature just as Jesus did. Tune is executive director of Impact Canada, a church-planting ministry based outside Toronto, Canada (www.impactcanada.org), and a contributing editor for CHRISTIAN STANDARD.) __________________ Soccer”s World Cup is a big deal in the multicultural city of Toronto. Who knew one of the most controversial components of the tournament would be the ball itself? The ball is the Adidas Jubulani and it had goalkeepers and strikers worrying and complaining from the start of the contest. The manufacturer claims it is the most

September 1, 2010

Christian Standard

Growing Like Jesus: Wisdom You Can Touch

By Eddie Lowen (Eddie Lowen was among eight Christian leaders asked to share what helps them mature just as Jesus did. Lowen, a member of Standard Publishing”s Publishing Committee, is senior minister with West Side Christian Church, Springfield, Illinois.) ___________________ A television commercial for cars.com depicted a fictional young genius named David Abernathy during several phases of his life. In the first scene, as a newborn, David shocked the obstetrician who de- livered him by reaching up to shake hands with him! As a preschooler, David amazed his parents by using graphs and PowerPoint slides to successfully negotiate a later bedtime.

September 1, 2010

Christian Standard

Growing Like Jesus: Wisdom from Fellow Travelers

By Jennifer Taylor (Jennifer Taylor was among eight Christian leaders asked to share what helps them mature just as Jesus did. Taylor, one of CHRISTIAN STANDARD”s contributing editors, lives in Nashville, Tennessee.) ________________________ This spring I tagged a few days onto a California business trip so I could spend time with friends. First I had coffee with John, who shared his recent decision to leave a safe ministry position and start a new church. “I waited years to discover this calling, and just tried to stay faithful until I saw the next step,” he told me. “And I”m not afraid

September 1, 2010

Christian Standard

Growing Like Jesus: Sight and Insight

By Pat Magness (Pat Magness was among eight Christian leaders asked to share what helps them mature just as Jesus did. Magness is professor of humanities and English at Milligan College in Tennessee and a member of the Publishing Committee at Standard Publishing.) _______________ An old story tells us that as Francis of Assisi neared his death, he apologized to his body””using the endearing term “Brother Donkey”””for working it so hard and so long with little rest or appreciation. Like many people in ministry, and to an extreme degree, Francis devoted his life fervently to God”s kingdom while neglecting the

September 1, 2010

Christian Standard

Growing Like Jesus: Hearing God Through People

By Glen Elliott (Glen Elliott was among eight Christian leaders asked to share what helps them mature just as Jesus did. Elliott serves as lead pastor with Pantano Christian Church, Tucson, Arizona and as a CHRISTIAN STANDARD contributing editor.) ___________________ Years ago I was working as the dean of students at Pacific Christian College (now Hope International University). At the same time, I had the joy of leading the junior high ministry at my church. (It was natural. Both junior high kids and college students are just crazy enough to be fun!) I poured my life into my work and

September 1, 2010

Christian Standard

Growing Like Jesus: Learning to Obey

By Becky Ahlberg (Becky Ahlberg was among eight Christian leaders asked to share what helps them mature just as Jesus did. Ahlberg is minister of worship and neighborhood engagement at First Christian Church, Anaheim, California. She serves as a CHRISTIAN STANDARD contributing editor.) __________________ The story of Jesus at the temple at age 12 has always fascinated me, but it”s the line just before our “grew in wisdom and stature” assignment that really hits home with me: “Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them” (emphasis mine). Many things have led to my own growth

September 1, 2010

Christian Standard

Growing Like Jesus: The Spiritual Discipline of Parenting

By Matthew Proctor (Matthew Proctor was among eight Christian leaders asked to share what helps them mature just as Jesus did. Proctor is president of Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and serves as a contributing editor for CHRISTIAN STANDARD.) ___________________ When I look at books on the spiritual disciplines, the table of contents all read the same: Bible reading, prayer, fasting, meditation, and solitude. Each discipline, of course, is a God-given tool to help sculpt us into the image of Christ. But, if I were writing such a book, I would add another chapter: parenting. Few things help move me

September 1, 2010

Christian Standard

Growing Like Jesus: No Pain, No Gain

By LeRoy Lawson (LeRoy Lawson was among eight Christian leaders asked to share what helps them mature just as Jesus did. Lawson is international consultant with Christian Missionary Fellowship International, a CHRISTIAN STANDARD contributing editor and a member of Standard Publishing”s Publishing Committee.) __________________ “No pain no gain, Dad. No pain no gain.” Our son Lane was in his teens. Both grandfathers had bequeathed good genes, and he was making the most of them. (I resent how those genes jumped right over my generation and landed in his.) He wasn”t tall but he was muscular””and eager to become even more

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