A ministry that serves the foster care system isn't simple. The situations are complicated and the answers are never easy, but it’s been an incredible honor for Christ's Church of Oronogo to be invited into families’ stories.
May 28, 2019
By Jon Wren Many Christ followers observe Communion as a reminder of God’s grace and goodness and as a gift we receive rather than a prize we must earn. But for many Christians and churches, the desire to show others God’s goodness in action can drift into a need to show others our own goodness. And if we are not careful, we can begin to drift toward a well-intentioned but incredibly destructive life in which we are consumed by the need to be busy or at least seem busy on behalf of Christ. Christian author Barbara Brown Taylor wrote of
March 22, 2016
By Mark A. Taylor “Do you believe you”re serving in the place God can use you best?” A friend surprised me with that question several years ago. And maybe I was equally surprised by my answer. “Yes,” I said. My guess is that many Christians, certainly many Christian leaders, are a lot like me. We think about that question too little. We choose ministries like a young professional plotting his next career move. How will this job position me to work later for the kind of church I really want to serve? Does it pay more than I”m earning now?
September 13, 2015
By T.R. Robertson My sons loved going to church on Wednesday nights when they were little. In 1990 they were stairstep kids, ages 5, 4, and 3, and they were bundles of energy. I have to admit, my boys had a reputation for being a real handful. The teachers needed all the help they could get. Help came in the form of students from Central Christian College of the Bible, Moberly, Missouri, just 30 miles to the north. David, one of those students, remembers the experience well. “I was traveling on Sundays singing for the college during my sophomore year,”
February 20, 2015
By C. Robert Wetzel “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16, King James Version). There are so many rich meanings and experiences in the Lord”s Supper! When the apostle Paul spoke of the “cup of blessing” he used a term that had a special meaning for those who understood Jewish dinner tradition. At the end of a Jewish meal the most honored guest at the table took the cup, lifted it up, and said the benediction. Today when we talk of the benediction we probably think of
February 12, 2014
Almost everybody loves to GIVE advice, but whether or not we TAKE advice may depend on who”s giving it! Here at CHRISTIAN STANDARD, we”re wondering, Whose advice would help you most in your Christian life and Christian service? We”re planning a whole issue around this theme. “The Best (and Worst!) Advice I Ever Received.” Our question to you: Whom should we ask? We”ll recruit several dozen Christian leaders to tell us the advice they received and how it turned out for them. Who should be on our list? Please send an e-mail today to tell us. It should simply say,
February 1, 2012
By Mark A. Taylor Most of us have heard stories or read books about preacher”s kids gone bad. We know about unwed pregnancies, unsavory addictions, and other unwise choices among young people who grew up in a parsonage. Without a doubt, the preacher”s home may face unique pressure and scrutiny. That”s why it”s appropriate for us to dedicate several posts to the problems and possibilities shared only by preacher”s kids. But I”m glad to say this week we present far more of the latter than the former. All these articles were written by preacher”s kids who are happy about their
April 24, 2011
Mark A. Taylor reflects on Japan’s earthquake and tsunami through the lens of Easter, resurrection hope, and Paul’s call to stand firm in the work of the Lord.
December 22, 2010
Mark A. Taylor reflects on children singing in a Nairobi slum and the wonder of Christmas: Christ entering a broken world to bring hope into every dark corner.
November 24, 2010
Crossroads Christian Church and Greencastle Christian Church share stories from “Just One” Sunday, including discipleship challenges, prayer for workers, and new commitments to Christian service.
May 13, 2009
Mark A. Taylor challenges readers to keep serving faithfully through every season of life, stewarding experience, wisdom, and opportunity until the final lap.
March 29, 2009
David Faust reflects on what truly holds Christian churches together, arguing that unity is found not in institutions or personalities, but in the Savior, the Spirit, Scripture, and service.
March 19, 2008
Christian Standard invites readers to nominate outstanding servants whose Christian character and leadership are making a difference. Learn the simple criteria, where to find forms, and the April 1 nomination deadline.
February 27, 2008
Tom Ellsworth discusses how Beyond Your Backyard calls believers and churches to move beyond comfort zones through relationships and unselfish service, balancing outward community impact with inward discipleship and equipping.
June 7, 2006
A weekly task list can breed weariness and self-pity. Mark A. Taylor looks to Paul’s hardships in 2 Corinthians to reset perspective and remember that comfort won’t satisfy like serving others does.
Mark A. Taylor invites nominations for the Leaders in Christian Service award and introduces Christian Standard's expanded annual megachurch report, including additional analysis and an invitation for readers to submit corrections.
Robert Wetzel reflects on sacrifice, Christian service, and the cost of belonging to Christ, challenging ministry leaders to surrender ego, pursue integrity, and faithfully follow the Holy Spirit’s leading.
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