John S. Dickerson warns that mission drift can take root over time and calls the Restoration Movement to prioritize spiritual and intellectual formation. His Youth Worldview Initiative aims to help students “hold to” Jesus’ teaching across generations.
The Youth Worldview Ministry of Connection Pointe Christian Church
November 1, 2021
A Letter from a Fellow Preacher
July 28, 2021
Today is David Faust’s 25th anniversary of writing a weekly column focusing on God’s Word and Christian faith. On this date—July 28, 1996—Faust’s first column appeared in the pages of The Lookout magazine. "I view writing as an extension of my ministry," Faust says.
October 24, 2020
When the pandemic suspended their short-term mission trips indefinitely, churches responded at home and abroad. Here are three alternatives they’ve discovered. By Justin Horey Just weeks into the new year, Riley Weaver sensed that 2020 might be an unprecedented year for his ministry. He didn’t have a premonition about the pandemic—quite the contrary. Early in the year, Weaver thought 2020 could be the first year on record that he didn’t have to cancel, postpone, or reschedule a single short-term mission trip. It was an exciting thought for Weaver, the global and local impact minister at Plainfield (Indiana) Christian Church. Plainfield
April 1, 2020
Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon Fox59 News in Indianapolis interviewed John Dickerson, lead pastor with Connection Pointe Christian Church, Brownsburg, Ind., about “ways to keep faith during the [coronavirus] pandemic.” “What you focus on becomes much bigger,” Dickerson said, using the above photo as an example. (Rest assured, the Eiffel Tower really is bigger than the man’s hand). “The reality is if we focus just on the virus and our fears and our anxiety and the economy,” Dickerson said, “if we focus only on those negative things—we do have to be aware of them—but if we fully focus
May 19, 2019
Compiled by Mark A. Taylor _ _ _ Alan Ahlgrim Retired: Founding pastor with Rocky Mountain Christian Church, Niwot, Colorado, March 2013 What are you doing now? Continues to encourage and mentor church leaders. Director of Covenant Groups with the Center for Church Leadership. Thoughts on retirement: âThe best is yet to be for every kingdom leader. I jokingly say if I had known this season would be so fulfilling, I would have started with this first and stuck with it! Iâ™ve traded unrelenting responsibility for a soul-enriching opportunity.â _ _ _ Dick Alexander Retired: Senior minister, LifeSpring Christian Church,
April 27, 2018
By Steve Reeves A survey of Christian church/church of Christ ministers from September 2016 found that 43 percent of the 500 responders were seriously considering leaving the ministry. In addition, Tim Wallingford with the Center for Church Leadership (CCL) says attrition among ministers in our churches might be as high as 70 percent. Here are some additional findings Wallingford shared with me when I began volunteering with the CCL: 74 percent of ministers have debt. The school debt among many couples, upon their graduation, is as high as $75,000. 54 percent of churches offer no retirement benefits; 47 percent offer
January 1, 2018
By Steve Reeves A survey of Christian church/church of Christ ministers from September 2016 found that 43 percent of the 500 responders were seriously considering leaving the ministry. In addition, Tim Wallingford with the Center for Church Leadership (CCL) says attrition among ministers in our churches might be as high as 70 percent. Here are some additional findings Wallingford shared with me when I began volunteering with the CCL: 74 percent of ministers have debt. The school debt among many couples, upon their graduation, is as high as $75,000. 54 percent of churches offer no retirement benefits; 47 percent offer
Johnson University, with campuses in Tennessee, Florida, and online, is launching Johnson University ExtendEd. Through ExtendEd sites, the University will provide Christian education opportunities to more students on a localized basis. Initial launch locations include Indianapolis, IN; Phoenix, AZ; Louisville, KY; and Knoxville, TN. Starting in August 2016, Johnson University ExtendEd will offer affordable, local business and ministry degrees at partner locations around the country. Partners include Southeast Christian Church in Louisville; Christ”s Church of the Valley in Phoenix; Knoxville Interdenominational Bible Institute in Knoxville; and Connection Pointe Christian Church, Greenwood Christian Church, Indian Creek Christian Church, Park Chapel Christian
August 24, 2015
By Steve Reeves A megachurch minister with decades of experience explains why and how staff members” spouses and children””including his own son””serve together with him. I have been lead pastor at Connection Pointe Christian Church, Brownsburg, Indiana, for almost 29 years. When my wife and our three preschoolers moved here in July 1986, there was a paid youth minister and a church secretary. It proved to be a wonderful place to minister and an encouraging environment in which to raise our family. Life, church work, and family matters were much simpler when we arrived, although my wife probably wouldn”t use
July 26, 2014
By Steve Reeves (From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I”ve Ever Received.”) I have been very fortunate to have Max Hickerson as my mentor in ministry. He has given me much practical advice over the years. While in seminary, he gave these “Notes to Help You Immerse Others into Christ: If you are ever called on to baptize in a creek or river, always have the candidate lie back in the water against the current. Let the current help raise the candidate from the water. Always go into the water of rivers, creeks, or lakes by yourself first
June 6, 2012
By Steve Reeves As I reflect upon my 26 years at the congregation I serve, I am so grateful God and the church have allowed me to stay for 2.5 decades. I understand we each have unique callings to ministry, but I would appeal to local preachers that staying put in one congregation for a long period of time is the best course, if possible. Here are my top 10 reasons why. 10. Personal Family Stability Our children were 5, 3, and 2 when we began, and as my son, who is now on our staff, told me today,
October 3, 2011
By Steve Reeves My wife and I spent Cinco de Mayo in a Midwestern city watching a wide variety of Americans dancing and celebrating. The event commemorates the Mexican army”s defeat of the French on May 5, 1862. I noticed that, generally, it took two to tango, but there were a few who tried to do the tango by themselves. So, understanding that there are two sides to every story, and it usually takes two to tango, I want to discuss a disturbing pattern among churches of all sizes. Here”s how it works . . . A preacher goes on
April 9, 2008
Kent Fillinger explains how megachurch metrics can become meaningful for smaller congregations, why adaptability matters, and how leadership transitions and succession planning may shape the movement’s future.
August 22, 2007
Church leaders share how congregations can impact culture by going beyond their walls—serving schools, shelters, and neighborhoods—while keeping disciple-making central, not merely counting how many newcomers were never part of a church.
March 18, 2007
Since spring 2003, Connection Pointe Christian Church’s Military Support Group has sent care packages, cards, and encouragement to American military personnel. Volunteers meet for planning and prayer while helping families waiting at home.
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David Faust