Articles for tag: Communication

September 1, 2021

David Faust

He Made Us Better: The Life and Ministry of Sam E. Stone

I waited outside the dean’s office on a steamy summer afternoon in 1976. I was 22 years old—eager but nervous about enrolling in graduate school—and I brought my wife with me to meet the seminary dean. A friend once advised, “If you have butterflies in your stomach, get them to fly in formation,” but Candy and I couldn’t disguise our apprehension as we took our seats on the other side of the dean’s desk. Our anxiety quickly changed to relief when he smiled, his eyes sparkling behind dark-rimmed glasses. The dean shook our hands and said warmly, “I’m glad you’re

September 1, 2021

Don Wilson

The Pastor’s Most Rewarding Ministry

As I look back over 50 years in ministry, my wife and I have been blessed in so many ways. We have had the opportunity to serve in churches of all sizes with staff members and elders who love God. We’ve had some difficult situations and struggles, but most of our experiences have been positive. Watching lives change as people accept Jesus has been a great joy. By far, my greatest reward in ministry has been seeing all of my children and grandchildren become Christ followers. All three of my children are in full-time ministry and several of my grandchildren

March 1, 2021

Chad Ragsdale

The Understanding Distance

In January 1846, Alexander Campbell wrote an article on biblical interpretation for the Millennial Harbinger with a message that is as relevant now as it was then.  There is a distance which is properly called the speaking distance, or the hearing distance, beyond which the voice reaches not, and the ear hears not. To hear another, we must come within that circle which the voice audibly fills. Now, we may with propriety say that as it respects God there is an understanding distance, Campbell asserted. All within that distance can easily understand God in all matters of piety and morality,

February 1, 2021

Renee Little

Talk About It

At some point we stopped talking to one another. Communication has become a mesh of texting, social media posts, and emails—all of it one-way dialogue that doesn’t involve seeing a face or hearing a voice. Gone are the days of eating meals together and hanging around the table long after the food has disappeared from our plates. Faded are the memories of stopping by a friend’s house just to say hello, or of picking up the phone on Sunday afternoon to call home to update Mom on the events of the week. The forced isolation imposed by the coronavirus surely

October 24, 2020

Christian Standard

Raising the Bar on Kingdom Impact

How the Pandemic Helped Our Church Find Clarity and Conviction for Global Involvement By Dave Stewart Unexpected. Unpredictable. Unsettling. There are a lot of uns we could use to describe this past year. Unproductive is not one of them. At Compassion Christian Church in Savannah, Georgia, God showed up in a very Romans 8:28 way, but it certainly wasn’t in a form we expected or predicted. Yes, we scrambled like most to get some of our workers home, to equip others who remained on the field, and to resource our partnerships in areas hardest hit by the pandemic. And we

September 22, 2020

Kent E. Fillinger

The Financial Impact of COVID-19 on Christian Churches

By Kent E. Fillinger As I write this in late June, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to morph daily as it impacts the world, economy, and church in innumerable ways. During the week of June 7, I conducted a COVID-19 Church Impact Survey to take a “snapshot” of how churches fared during the initial three months of quarantine (March to May) and what they anticipated would be happening over the next three months (June to August) as many started to regather for in-person worship services. A total of 334 church leaders from 39 states responded, providing a balanced cross-section of all-sized

August 15, 2020

Jerry Harris

10 Foundation Stones of the Church—No. 5: Fellowship

By Jerry Harris Change is an essential part of life, but human beings seem to have a built-in resistance to it. I don’t think that’s all bad, as change for change’s sake may not produce the best results. However, oftentimes change is critical or even welcomed, especially in the midst of crisis. One of the hotly debated issues in the church world over the last few years has been whether or not online church is a legitimate form of church. On this discussion topic, the COVID-19 crisis forced an almost instantaneous pivot in the American church world. Virtually every church

November 2, 2019

Christian Standard

Children’s Ministry Curriculum Decisions

Our Recent Survey Reveals What Christian Churches Are Using Today to Teach Our Children . . . and How They Are Adapting Them By Kelly Carr Caring for the youngest in our churches is no small feat. There are many moving parts to manage: volunteers, lesson plans, parent communication, volunteers, safety strategies, worship services, volunteers, engaging activities, biblical instruction. And did we mention volunteers? To equip those volunteers and provide for your young churchgoers, you need the right curriculum. Yet finding resources for your children’s ministry can be a series of trial and error decisions as you seek the most

July 22, 2019

Jared Johnson

Develop the Art and Skill of Listening

By Jared Johnson The “headquarters” of e2: effective elders is in Indianapolis, a metropolitan area of nearly 1.5 million people. Whether in the bustling downtown or in suburban neighborhoods, one never fails to see someone running around—literally and figuratively—wearing those all-too-familiar earbuds. Music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more flood the auditory canals of our fellow Hoosiers. Of course, ubiquitous earbuds also communicate this strong nonverbal message: “Don’t talk to me; I’m occupied with something more important than conversing with you.” People who wear earbuds aren’t listening to us, but they are listeningto someone. Could that change? What would it take for

July 22, 2019

Christian Standard

How We Partnered with Our Community to Reach Our City (First Christian Church, Decatur, Ill.)

By BJ Leonard In 2004, First Christian Church in Decatur, Illinois, was at a crossroads. Attendance was growing and programs were working, but something was missing. A poll of the congregation and leadership revealed a common burden to reach out and make a difference by serving in our community. The state of our city and public schools had become similar to many urban settings across America. Due to rising crime rates and falling property values, many people with financial means had left for surrounding towns. The stability of their family relationships and positive community engagement left with them. As the

April 3, 2019

Christian Standard

Greenview Christian Church Celebrates 150 Years (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman Greenview (Ill.) Christian Church celebrated its 150th anniversary over the weekend. A special service Sunday included visits from previous ministers and then a luncheon. On Saturday, there was a joint service with nearby Sweetwater Christian Church, which started GCC in 1869. The service featured hymns from 150 years ago and a presentation on the history of both congregations. GCC senior minister Andy Nichols told The Courier, “There’s a reason that roughly half of the members have been almost lifelong members. [It’s] because they feel like they are part of a family once they are part of the church.” _ _ _ News

March 5, 2019

Christian Standard

How to Have Influence in Dialogue with the Ignorant, Obstinate, and Belligerent . . . and with Those Sitting on the Sidelines

By Michael McCann Let me clarify from the beginning: I am addressing these comments to followers of Jesus who, accordingly, take seriously their calling as disciples to reach out to those who don’t know Jesus and lead them to become his disciples as well. Everything below is slanted toward that end. If you are not committed toward that end, these suggestions will be irrelevant to you. Social media can be fertile ground for toxic conversation, and it often bleeds over into face-to-face encounters. Someone might say, “That is my social media persona, but that isn’t the real me.” Yet Jesus

February 27, 2019

Christian Standard

Develop These 4 Habits to Increase Your Outreach

By Emily Drayne  I’m a missionary . . . and you are too. Missionaries look to make a difference in a community. It’s simply not true that a missionary must relocate to a new country. There are more “home”-based ministry efforts than ever before working in local communities, in inner cities, in children’s homes, on Native American reservations, and elsewhere. Where can you and the people you lead get involved? This year I’ve personally committed to being a “missionary” where God has placed me. I’ve written out some foundational steps I’m pursuing along this journey that I want to share

October 13, 2018

Christian Standard

Taking Our Q&A to the ‘Next Level’

We sat down with Macon A. Gibe, best-selling author of The Intentional Pastor, Reaching the Next Level, and Isolating Your Church’s DNA, to discuss ministry and church trends and how to best leverage and engage them. _ _ _ QUESTION: Mr. Gibe, you’ve published three best-selling books for churches and church leaders. To what do you owe your incredible success? ANSWER: It was no accident, I can tell you that! Seriously, I would attribute it to three things: intentionality, aspirational thinking, and a cursory understanding of science.   Q: Your first book, back in 2002, was Isolating Your Church’s DNA.

August 29, 2018

Christian Standard

5 Keys (and 3 Crucial Attitudes) for a Successful Food Ministry

By Troy M. Borst A food ministry can be an effective way for an urban church to engage the congregation, serve its neighbors, and share Christ’s love. But such a ministry isn’t without challenges. New Beginnings Christian Church in Tampa, Florida (www.newbeginningscctampa.org), operates a successful food pantry that serves 80 to 90 people on a regular basis as a means of reaching out to South Tampa. For more than a decade, we have provided food staples for the homeless, poor, and working poor in Tampa. It is an essential part of how we love our immediate neighbors. Matthew 25:34-46 guides

May 26, 2018

Christian Standard

You Found Me: Reaching College Students on Their Level

By Greg Swinney and Beth Swinney He was scrolling down his Facebook page on a computer in the university library when I nudged him and asked if I could bother him for a few minutes. Tom looked over and immediately stopped what he was doing and said, “Sure, what’s up?” I knew I could count on Tom, a prelaw student, to level with me. “What are college kids looking for these days in a church?” I asked. “I’m scratching my head to figure that one out.” Tom didn’t flinch. He said, “We are looking for a place that’s real. A

April 20, 2018

Christian Standard

The State of Our Christian Churches Today

Where We’ve Come From, Where We Are, and Where We’re Going By Ken Idleman In her book Join the Club: How Peer Pressure Can Transform the World, Tina Rosenburg sought to determine how to get people to change for the better. She concluded people don’t change simply because they desire to change, or feel guilty, or learn it would be beneficial (such as by quitting smoking). Instead, Rosenburg argues, people grow and change best in community. She asserts that few things in life are more important in determining the kind of people we become than the group of people with

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