March 13, 2026
True Friends
Proverbs 17:17 sums up well the work of true friends: “A friend loves at all times.” The love of true friends is expressed in a variety of ways. This editorial identifies some of them.
Articles for tag: Conflict Resolution
November 6, 2025
Planting the Seeds of Peace in Marriage
Peace isn’t just a seed. It’s a strategy. It’s strength. It’s Spirit. And peace, just might be the generational tree where your legacy rests.
November 6, 2025
Ministry Is About Relationships
At The Solomon Foundation, we believe that ministry is all about relationships. We invest in them with both individuals and with churches. We have no desire to be your bank; we want to be your ministry partner.
October 31, 2024
Navigating the Journey Toward Love and Respect
Marriage is often described as a journey; a journey two people embark on together, hoping to build a life filled with love, joy, and mutual fulfillment. One way to enhance the journey is to get to know one another well.
KCU President Carries Sidearm in His Side Job as Las Vegas Security Guard
When he isn't fulfilling his many duties as president of Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Ky., Terry Allcorn twice each year can be found serving as a security guard at the world's largest diamond and gun shows in Las Vegas, Nevada. . . .
February 21, 2023
BBC Introduces New Logo (Plus Other News Briefs)
Boise Bible College introduced a new logo in recent weeks. Also briefs from Mid-Atlantic Christian University, ICOM, Central Christian College of the Bible, Milligan University, Maritime Christian College, Common Grounds Unity, and more.
August 18, 2022
10 Reasons to Send a Student to Christian College for a Year
David Fincher writes, "I have met innumerable donors, volunteers, lifelong ministers, and other Christian leaders who have this in common: They attended a Christian college planning to stay only for a year, and the experience changed their lives for the better. . . . Here are 10 reasons for encouraging your loved one to commit to attending a Christian institution for at least one year."
July 1, 2021
The Elder’s Role in Leading Through Conflict
A primary responsibility among leaders should be to successfully handle conflict and the disunity it can so easily create.
November 22, 2020
How to Lead a Peacekeeping Church
Practice These Three Crucial Habits to Live at Peace with Everyone and to Be an Example for Our Communities and Nation to Follow Never before has peacekeeping in the church been so difficult! This past summer in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis, I received two emails from people who were upset at how we were handling the situation. The first said she was leaving the church because we weren’t properly social distancing (although we thought we were) and we weren’t making people wear masks. The second said she was leaving the church because we were listening to the liberal
January 3, 2019
How to Deal Effectively with Difficult People
By David Roadcup How we react to difficult people and their behavior is a test of how well we’ve implemented Scripture’s relational principles. The Word tells us how to respond when difficult situations present themselves. Effective leaders follow the teachings of patience, forbearance, self-control, careful thought, and action. When called upon to deal with a difficult person, our patience and forbearance will be strengthened as we do the right thing in dealing with those who need help. Dealing with difficult people is always a stretching experience. As James 1:2-4 instructs us, difficult situations, especially those prompted by difficult people, prompt
November 7, 2018
Simple Steps for Improving Security at Your Church
IDES offers a “Safe Worship” training program to help churches increase their safety and security. By Jim Nieman Shootings at houses of worship are becoming more common in the United States. But there are simple, straightforward, low-cost steps churches can take that minimize the potential for such incidents. “The very first thing to do is address building access,” said Ed Sanow, a 30-year police veteran who serves as director of training with International Disaster Emergency Service, Noblesville, Ind. In his role with IDES over the past two years, Sanow has conducted 50 “Safe Worship” training programs at churches across the
October 26, 2018
Elders Chart the Path Forward
E2: Effective Elders Blog Editor’s Note: Each Friday we publish a new blog post from our partners in ministry, E2: Effective Elders. We publish it here simultaneous to E2’s posting on their site. The leaders of E2 write an article for our print and online magazine every month as well. Those articles are full of wisdom and practical help for elders. Please check them out! _____ By Rick Grover Over the past six years, our congregation has gone through more than its fair share of change, disappointment, loss, and now renewal. And through it all, our elders have remained united. We
July 17, 2018
Church Celebrates Long-Married Couples
By Peggy Park It was a golden day in Lexington, Ky., on June 10, as Tates Creek Christian Church celebrated its annual Wedding Bells Sunday with 83 couples who have been married 50 years or longer. One couple, in fact, has been married 75 years. Ladies received white corsages while the men received boutonnieres, and all of the couples had their pictures taken. The couples were also recognized as a group during the worship service. Additionally, senior minister Tommy Simpson recognized the widows and widowers who would have been married 50 years or more. The church administrator and some members
February 25, 2018
Civil Liberty: How Christ Frees Us to Be Civil in Less-than-Civil Times
By Shawn McMullen You’re driving down the highway and notice a silver Honda in the passing lane traveling a few miles per hour below the speed limit, impeding the progress of the gray Toyota behind it. When the Toyota gets a break in the line of traffic, its driver veers quickly into the other lane, moves in front of the Honda, and taps his brakes, causing the driver of the Honda to brake and swerve into the berm. The party of four at their lunch table simply can’t be pleased. They complain loudly to one another throughout the meal: the
February 21, 2018
A Road Map for Healthy Conflict Resolution
Use these 5 tips to create a church culture that handles conflict in a God-honoring way. By David Dummitt Churches are made up of broken, messy people. That statement won’t shock anyone reading this. Problems in churches are inevitable. Conflict can lead to division. Planning ahead for how to navigate through conflict is important to protecting the unity of our churches. Whether you’re planting a church or have been leading one for years, it is never too early (or late) to create a road map for dealing with conflict within your church in a way that honors God. Here
May 19, 2017
Of Manure, Porches, and Good Fights
By Arron Chambers All married couples fight at one time or another. It”s like a pile of manure landing on your front porch. You know what manure is, don”t you? Manure on your front porch is not a good thing. Not at all. It”s a smelly, disgusting, and completely unappealing in every way kind of thing. In my experience as a marriage coach, I”ve come to believe that every married couple will have a pile of “manure” fall onto their “porch” at one time or another. Bad stuff happens to good married couples. And when the unexpected pile of manure
June 2, 2016
Moving from the Method of Meeting to the Mess of Meeting
By Susan Lawrence Encouragement for anyone who sometimes finds church a troubling place. If we insist on avoiding the messiness, we may miss the greatest blessing. Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds. You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the day coming. If we decide to go on sinning after we have learned the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:24-26*). Encouraging each
November 1, 2015
Going Short
How one congregation prepares people for short-term trips and helps them see how they are part of a much bigger picture. By Tom Moen We use a document at Mountain Christian Church called “The Anatomy of a Short-Term Mission Trip” to help our people understand the gravity, depth, and commitment involved in getting the team ready to go, serve well, and return home to continue the mission. This information illustrates the great investment of time that goes into making a GO Team trip work. The team leaders and church staff work together to lead the team participants through this process. Our hope
August 27, 2015
What to Cover In Premarital Counseling
By Gary Zustiak When I do premarital counseling, I require a five-session commitment from the couple. Here”s what I cover in those sessions: Session 1: Basic Information I get to know the couple by asking how they met, how long they”ve dated, and how long their engagement is. I have them answer the five questions from H. Norman Wright”s book, Before You Say “I Do.” Then I ask them to list 10 ways their families are similar and 10 ways they”re different. Family Systems Therapy has found a number of characteristics, behaviors, ideals, and other factors are passed down from
September 20, 2014
Advice for Volunteers and Those Who Recruit Them
By Susan Lawrence Change affects people differently. Some people thrive and others struggle. Change excites some and paralyzes others. But ministry and service are not about us or our comfort level. If we”re volunteering to serve and honor God, we need to yield to him. When we yield, we grow. When we grow, we change, and that change includes our service. But when should we change, and how can we change in healthy ways? What questions do we need to ask? WHY ARE YOU SERVING? Ask yourself . . . “¢ What is the purpose of the ministry I”m
