3 WOMEN IN MINISTRY: ‘There’s Nothing I’d Rather Do!’
Debbie Jones reflects on her calling to ministry, the expectations women often face, and the ways churches can encourage women to develop and use their gifts to build up Christ’s church.
Articles for tag: Church Planting
It’s Faith Raising, Not Just Fund Raising
Capital campaigns can strain a congregation—or strengthen it. Alan Ahlgrim shares hard-won lessons on vision, broad involvement, wise counsel, sustained follow-through, and confident faith that God is at work.
April 9, 2006
MEGACHURCH PROFILE: Mountain Christian Church
Founded in 1824, Mountain Christian Church blends longstanding community trust with a future-focused mission. Leaders emphasize conversion growth through preaching, worship, and community service, supported by a robust small-group system and a strategic church plant in White Marsh.
MEGACHURCH PROFILE: Pantano Christian Church
Pantano Christian Church in Tucson has pursued a multi-year pastoral transition plan while shifting to collaborative leadership, expanding small groups, and launching church-planting efforts locally and internationally.
CHRISTIAN STANDARD AT 140: It Fills a Hole in the Sky
Ben Cachiaras reflects on The Christian Standard’s 140 years, using a willow tree metaphor to show why the magazine remains a vital hub for communication, conversation, and encouragement across the movement.
March 29, 2006
Interview with Tim Halstead
By Brad Dupray For 26 years Tim Halstead served on the staff of the a cappella Spring Woodlands Church of Christ, just outside of Houston, Texas. For 15 of those years he was youth minister, and later he served in ministries of administration and outreach. This past year Tim and his wife, Melinda, felt a calling to plant New Life Church on the other end of Texas, in Odessa. New Life was planted in an unprecedented partnership of Christian church and a cappella church of Christ ministries. Why church planting? I think it was the youth minister in me that
March 26, 2006
A Church Replant in an Urban Setting
Facing decline and a changing neighborhood, West Side Christian Church chose a bold replant that became The Pearl. This story traces the costly transition, urban ministry realities, and renewed commitment to future church planting in Denver.
March 12, 2006
Grow Church, Grow!
Why do some churches grow rapidly while others struggle? Doug Carter points to shared traits of growing churches: faith-filled risk, a clear commitment to evangelism, and unified values, structure, and style.
February 26, 2006
Little League Baseball, Collaboration, and Church Planting
Tom Jones connects lessons from coaching Little League to the growing strength of church planting networks. Collaboration among churches and organizations can share resources, coaching, and services to launch new congregations and multiply kingdom impact.
February 26, 2006
Another One?
Do we really need another church? Robert Kitchen argues yes—because lost people still need to be reached, communities keep changing, and planting new churches remains a powerful method of evangelism.
February 26, 2006
Church Plants, 2003-2005 (chart)
A brief notice sharing an updated PDF chart listing new congregations planted by Christian churches and churches of Christ from January 2003 through December 2005.
February 26, 2006
First Things First
Using Hurricane Katrina rebuilding as a picture, Rick Grover challenges church planters and leaders to put first things first, take the long view, and grow deep roots in spiritual health and patient ministry.
February 19, 2006
Confessions of a Reluctant Servant
Jesus doesn’t oppose greatness—he redefines it. Dave Smith reflects on Mark 8 and Mark 10, showing how true greatness is lived through servanthood, sacrifice, and daily faithfulness when ministry includes suffering.
February 12, 2006
African-American Evangelism: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?
W. Ray Kelley examines why many Restoration Movement churches have struggled to evangelize and integrate African-Americans, highlighting history, present challenges, and practical steps for intentional, sustained ministry in diverse communities.
January 29, 2006
TESTIMONY FROM AFRICA: ‘You Have Been Stealing from God’
Bafundi Mpofu describes how a Zimbabwe congregation moved from dependency to self-support through tithing—fully funding pastors, planting new churches, and renewing mission purpose during economic collapse.
January 29, 2006
TESTIMONY FROM AFRICA: Dancing for Joy!
A mission trip to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, revealed “bundles of joy”—believers dancing forward to give sacrificially in the midst of hardship. Their generosity and hope offer a lasting lesson in joyful giving.
December 11, 2005
What Can a Coach Do for You?
A first-time church planter shares how a seasoned coach provided experience, steady expectations, a listening ear, and ongoing encouragement—help that turned a demanding journey into a sustainable, hope-filled ministry path.
November 27, 2005
Survival Tips for Church Planters
Even thriving church plants can swallow up the planter. Jim Tune shares hard-won principles for endurance—certainty of calling, freedom to be yourself, and boundaries that protect marriage, home, and long-term ministry.
October 30, 2005
INTO A MOVEMENT: Surviving the Game
A Long Island church planter moves from skepticism to confidence after attending a church planting assessment and connecting with the Orchard Group—discovering coaching, authenticity, and a movement that feels “priceless.”
October 30, 2005
INTO A MOVEMENT: It Was Way Cool!
An unusual series of events led to Bert Crabbe’s baptism and ordination as part of the Christian church movement—sparked by a church planting assessment center, local-church interviews, and shared convictions about reaching lost people.
