Articles for tag: Conventions

Care & Counseling

Facing the Darkness as Children of Light

By Paul E. Boatman The words pierced even though they were not a surprise. “Mrs. Boatman, you have persistent and pervasive memory loss of an Alzheimer”s type.” Alzheimer”s! We did not want to hear the “A” word. Alzheimer”s has a dark, hopeless sound to it. My wife, Mary, had been exhibiting patterns of memory loss for a couple of years. The symptoms were occasionally amusing, frequently frustrating, and increasingly intrusive.Â Our initial pursuit of answers was not taken seriously. “We all have forgetfulness as we age.” “Maybe some of your drugs are having adverse side-effects.” (With a history of surgeries

April 6, 2014

Worship Worship & Prayer

Does Everyone Worship?

By Ken E. Read “Want to see the next trend in worship?” It was a decade ago. My daughter started the video halfway through the song, with the camera sweeping across the crowd. They were certainly enthusiastic (“filled with God”), raising their arms and swaying as they pressed up near the stage and sang along with the contemporary band. Thousands of people in the crowd were singing full-voiced, their faces turned upward, arms extended skyward, and waving in united praise, their eyes gazing off into space while they sang. The camera changed to show the performers on the stage. I

January 23, 2014

Church & Ministry Church Leadership

A Conversation with Randy Gariss

Interview by Jennifer Johnson Last time we talked, you”d just finished a sabbatical. How has it changed you and the church? We decided on my six-months sabbatical partly to give me prep time for the next five to eight years, because all leaders need some extended time to study and refill the well. But the other reason is no congregation accidentally gets younger. There are four of us on staff who had been here 25 years or longer, and that wasn”t setting us up for the future. Clearly, we”re not a “throw-out-the-old” type of church. But you only get younger

March 27, 2012

Organizations & Events Colleges & Seminaries

Christian churches and churches of Christ colleges

Considering the Question of Them and Us and Ours

As colleges and ministries rooted in Christian churches and churches of Christ broaden their reach, Mark A. Taylor considers what changing support and participation mean for the institutions that help preserve a movement’s heritage.

August 3, 2011

Mark S. Krause

Theology & Bible Bible Study

An Embarrassment of Riches (Part 2: Four Popular Translations)

Mark S. Krause compares four popular English Bible translations, examining the NASB, The Message, HCSB, and ESV through their translation philosophies and their treatment of key biblical passages.

April 15, 2011

LeRoy Lawson

Reviews Book Reviews

Trying to Keep Up with Books by “˜Us”

LeRoy Lawson reviews five books from Christian church writers, including reflections on Superman, devotional poetry, Stone-Campbell meditations, missions in Ukraine, and ministry amid pornography’s destructive reach.

February 22, 2011

We Have Met the Enemy

Mark A. Taylor reflects on the NACC’s changing role and argues that mission, unity, and spiritual equipping still make the convention valuable for churches today.

October 1, 2010

Culture & Public Square Race

We Have a Dream

By Dudley C. Rutherford At the midway point of Martin Luther King”s famous “I Have a Dream” speech on the footsteps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963, he mentioned the white people in attendance that day. Most are not aware there were many white people who participated in that momentous march on Washington, D.C., and others are even less aware that King addressed that segment of the crowd in his memorable monologue. In the midst of this poetic oration he says, “For many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize

September 22, 2010

Darrel Rowland

2010 NACC: We Cant Say We Weren’t Warned

At the 2010 North American Christian Convention, Ben Cachiaras and other speakers challenged attendees to go “beyond” comfort toward deeper discipleship, compassion, diversity, and mission.

September 21, 2010

Church Leadership Eldership

Special for Many Reasons

Mark A. Taylor reflects on the 2010 North American Christian Convention, where the “Disturb me” theme, prayer gatherings, fresh programming, and guest voices challenged attendees to move beyond comfort.

March 28, 2010

Bob Russell

Building Bonds Between Elders and Ministers (Part 2)

Bob Russell explains how elders can help preachers succeed through Christlike leadership, encouragement, protection, spiritual nurture, practical support, and faithful prayer.

September 9, 2009

Brad Dupray

Family & Relationships Parenting

Interview with Lorraine Dupray

Lorraine Dupray reflects on motherhood, grandmotherhood, Scripture, and a lifetime of faithful service through women’s ministry, youth ministry, and the local church.

February 1, 2009

Ziden Nutt

The Honeymoon Express (A Sojourn with the National Missionary Convention)

Ziden Nutt reflects on the National Missionary Convention, the “honeymoon express,” and decades of relationships, commitments, and mission service shaped through those gatherings.

December 31, 2008

Restoration Movement History Biographies

Obituaries from 2008

A 2008 alphabetical obituary listing remembering Christian ministers, missionaries, educators, church leaders, and faithful servants connected with churches, colleges, missions, and ministries across the Restoration Movement.

September 21, 2008

Justin Horey

NACC Viewpoints: It’s All About the Mission

Justin Horey reflects on the NACC’s attendance challenges, exhibitor value, and need for a clearer mission that draws the right people—not merely larger crowds.

July 2, 2008

Organizations & Events Ministries & Nonprofits

Let’s See More Stories Like This One

Mark A. Taylor reflects on CMF and FAME’s cooperation in AIDS ministry and urges churches and parachurch ministries to work together for the cause of Christ.

February 10, 2008

Ken E. Read

Worship & Prayer Worship

Every Tribe, Every Tongue, Every Nation

Ken E. Read describes how learning global musical “heart languages” helped the World Music Worship Ensemble lead multicultural worship at the National Missionary Convention—and how such worship prepares the church for heaven’s diverse song.

December 10, 2006

LeRoy Lawson

Restoration Movement History

The Restoration Movement: Its Vitality, Quirks, and Needs in the 21st Century

LeRoy Lawson reflects on the Restoration Movement’s quirks and strengths, then points to key needs ahead—renewed purpose, celebrated diversity, deeper cooperation, and relevance to the pre-Christian world.

May 10, 2006