Think Outward
Every church will tell you they have an outward focus because they know that's Jesus' Great Commission, but the truth is that many are not.
Articles for tag: Easter
January 1, 2026
Succession: The Things You Need to Know but Others Won’t Tell You
We need to start thinking and planning for succession earlier rather than later, knowing that the stakes are high, the process takes time, and that we are following a biblical mandate.
January 1, 2026
Retirement, Ministry, and Learning to Let Go: A Pastor’s Wife’s Perspective
Retirement doesn’t mean ministry is over. It just means it looks different. The way we influence and serve may change, but God still uses us.
January 1, 2026
Bridging the Leadership Gap: Essential Steps for Church Succession
Elders and pastors need to intentionally work to identify and develop future pastors and leaders, viewing this as both a calling and a priority.
January 1, 2026
Serving in the Shadows
If your main motivation is to please other people, and your self-worth depends on others’ approval, you will be frustrated and disappointed.
January 1, 2026
Pastoral Transition: Succession or Interim?
When done with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, succession and an intentional interim create the smoothest path to pastoral transition.
November 6, 2025
Love’s Persuasive Power
Love has persuasive power. Compassion makes our arguments more convincing, but without love, our arguments sound hollow.
April 21, 2025
Our Opening Day
It may renew and encourage us when we take Communion to think back to the day of our baptism into Christ, when we came forth from our own tomb and our own record of sins was wiped clean.
March 2, 2025
Never the Same Again: How a Personal Encounter with the Resurrected Christ Changes Us
Because of the resurrection, the dark clouds of every sinner’s guilt, shame, and regret part making way for the bright rays of reconciliation, renewal, and restoration to burst through.
March 28, 2024
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Easter Church Attendance’ (1949)
"This Lord’s Day will find nearly all the churches having the largest crowds of the year," editor Burris Butler wrote in 1949. "It has become almost proverbial that many people attend church on Easter Sunday who never come at any other time" . . .
March 1, 2024
History and Hope
Christian Standard will be focusing on the Restoration Movement over the next several months . . .
March 1, 2024
The Resurrection: A Personal Encounter
By Renee Mitchell In the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection, nobody had more fascinating experiences (in my opinion) than Mary Magdalene. Not only was she the first person to see the risen Lord, but we can model our walk with the Lord today on her personal journey with Jesus. JESUS AS HEALER Mary Magdalene is first mentioned in the Gospel of Luke as one of the women accompanying Jesus on his travels throughout various cities and villages. We see an example of Jesus’ healing power in Luke 8:2 which says he cast seven demons out of Mary; his first relationship with
March 1, 2024
Living Hope and Unquenchable Joy: Celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus
Why does it matter that some guy died on a cross and rose again many years ago? . . .
April 8, 2023
Easter Meditation 6: The Centurion
In his sixth and final devotion for the week leading up to Easter, former editor Mark A. Taylor shares thoughts about the centurion . . . "Struck by the Truth" (Matthew 27:45-54).
April 6, 2023
Easter Meditation 4: Mary, the Mother of Jesus
In his fourth of six devotions in the week leading up to Easter, former editor Mark A. Taylor shares thoughts about the anguish that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, suffered . . . "Overwhelmed by Grief" (John 19:25-27).
April 4, 2023
Easter Meditation 2: Two Crucified with Christ
In his second of six devotions in the week leading up to Easter, former editor Mark A. Taylor shares thoughts about the two men crucified with Christ . . . "Hardened and Desperate" (Luke 23:32-43).
April 3, 2023
April 9 | Application (‘But Some Doubted’)
"All four Gospels mention there were doubters after Jesus rose from the dead," David Faust writes. "Still today, when we gather on Easter to celebrate the resurrection, doubters mingle with the worshipers. . . ."
April 3, 2023
April 9 | Discovery
Questions for group discussion for use with this week’s lesson titled “All Nations Are Invited” (Mark 16:9-20).
March 1, 2023
Why the Resurrection Matters
By Steve Wyatt His name was Cleopas—and he felt hopeless. So did his friend. These two friends had gone to Jerusalem to join up with Israel’s latest, greatest world-changer—another prophet, this time from Nazareth, who was rumored to be the one who would forever end Rome’s tyrannical reign. But instead? Although they had left hopeful, they were returning hopeless. Have you ever been there . . . hopeless? • Yes, these guys were believers. • Yes, they had grown to deeply love Jesus. • Yes, they had dropped everything to follow him. Here’s the problem: Jesus was trapped behind a huge stone, and
What Is This Year’s Easter Message?
Veteran Preachers Share Plans for Their 2023 Resurrection Sermons
