July 1, 2023
One Expression at a Time
How We, Like Jesus, Can Meet People at Their Point of Deepest Need
Articles for tag: Evangelism
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Why I Encouraged My Son to Be a Minister’ (1942)
More than 80 years ago, several Christian fathers wrote on the topic, “Why I encouraged my son to be a minister.” Today, we dust off and share two of those responses. The first is from Victor E. Hoven, father of Ard Hoven. The second is from R. C. Foster, father of Lewis Foster.
April 10, 2023
April 16 | Discovery
Questions for group discussion for use with this week’s lesson titled “Sinners Are Invited” (Mark 2:1-17).
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
How Do We Talk About Grace with a Generation That Feels No Guilt?
By Tyler McKenzie As generations of young people emerge who are more different than ever imagined, how should our presentation of God’s grace change? Millennials (those born 1981–96) are assuming leadership. Gen Z (born 1997–2012) is entering the workforce. The youngest of those from Generation Alpha (about 2013–25) are upon the age of accountability. They are the new mission field. From Guilt to Shame One of my hypotheses is that evangelists of the future will shift from presenting grace through a guilt framework to a shame framework. Guilt is, “I did something bad.” Shame is, “I am bad.” While guilt
March 1, 2023
An Example Worth Following: A Tribute to Ben Merold
Ben Merold, 96, a beloved minister in Christian churches and churches of Christ for almost three-quarters of a century, died November 16, 2022. _ _ _ By Doyle Roth Ben Merold lived his life fully committed to Jesus. He served God by serving many churches over his ministry career and touching the lives of millions of people. Ben truly was a man of God. Don Sanders, leadership development pastor at Harvester Christian Church and director of The Merold Institute, said this about Ben when he introduced him at a graduation ceremony not long ago: Ben is a church consultant, a
The Resurrection and the Afterlife: What Do We Believe?
By Kent E. Fillinger In Bible college, I encountered this simple but powerful two-question outline to discuss the resurrection of Jesus: What proves the resurrection? And what does the resurrection prove? I don’t have the space to unpack the answers to these questions, but I do want to explore what people believe about the resurrection of Jesus to help you consider the array of beliefs you might encounter in your church (and with your family) this Easter. I also want to examine current beliefs regarding the afterlife—heaven, hell, and reincarnation. Views on the Resurrection The 2020 Lifeway Research State of
March 1, 2023
What Is Grace?
By Mark E. Moore Question: What do we have to do to be saved? Every religion has its own answer to this question. Some encourage sacrifice; others, service; others, rituals of purification or meditation. What all (but one) have in common is some human effort to achieve favor with God. This may include knocking on doors with pamphlets, giving away wealth, self-flagellation, or confession and restitution. The common thread, however, is human effort to reach God’s height. Grace Is God’s Salvation Christianity alone moves in the opposite direction. Rather than us climbing upward, Christianity asserts that God moved downward. Salvation
February 16, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘When Every Preacher Was an Evangelist’ (1920)
“Brief word pictures [by evangelist J. Vincent Coombs] of a few of the men [John T. Johnson, ‘Raccoon’ John Smith, J. M. Canfield, L. C. Warren] who have typified the character of our evangelism at various stages of the history of the Restoration Movement. May every preacher be an evangelist.”
January 1, 2023
Truth and the Bible Worldview
By Bobby Harrington and Daniel McCoy This article could well have been only a paragraph long. We could simply have written this: A “worldview” is your overall view of the world. Having a biblical worldview means that the teachings of the Bible fill in your answers to the big questions about reality. For example: Why do we exist? If you have a biblical worldview, your answer will include how God created us to bear his image and rule over his creation. What’s the source of our deepest problems? According to the Bible, our misery stems from our decision to mistrust
Class Goes On: A Tribute to the Life and Teaching of Dr. Jack Cottrell
After a long battle with cancer, Jack Cottrell, 84, passed from earth to heaven September 16, 2022. Dr. Cottrell was a respected professor of theology at Cincinnati Christian University for 48 years, from September 1967 to December 2015. He wrote more than 40 popular theological books and countless magazine articles. Several days after Dr. Cottrell’s passing, Tom Claibourne wrote the following tribute, which appeared on our website. This version, adapted with minor edits, appears in our January/February 2023 print edition. _ _ _ By Tom Claibourne During my final time around a table with Dr. Jack Cottrell at the Christian
November 1, 2022
The Sons of Issachar, the Church at Sardis, and Our Leadership Teams
By David Roadcup The sons of Issachar are widely noted in church leadership circles for having the ability to read their circumstances and respond in wisdom: “Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command” (1 Chronicles 12:32). This text comes at a time when Israel had divided into Israel and Judah. The nation needed to reunite under the leadership of David. The sons of Issachar knew it was time for this to happen for the sake of
November 1, 2022
How to Be a ‘Cheerful Giver’ (and How to Develop More of Them at Your Church)
By Megan Rawlings I first heard of Chuck Lane from my husband’s time at Alliance Defending Freedom, where they worked together. Chuck mentored me in development (sometimes referred to as fundraising). He taught me everything I know. Fundraising is all about relationships and not being afraid to ask. It is a ministry to teach people how to be cheerful givers. Chuck’s insight was unrivaled, and his warmth was immeasurable. We talked a couple of times a month until his untimely death last year. So, to honor his legacy, I want to share with you several thoughts about giving that have
October 10, 2022
October 16 | Rooted in Repentance
What do you do with a prodigal king? You allow him the privilege of repentance. . . .
September 20, 2022
Class Goes On: A Tribute to the Life and Teaching of Dr. Jack Cottrell
Tom Claibourne writes: "Since Dr. Jack Cottrell's passing last Friday, I’m sure some have expressed dismay that we have lost not only a good man of God, but a strong, biblical voice still so desperately needed in the Restoration Movement and the wider church world. But is the voice of a truly great teacher ever completely silenced? I think not . . ."
July 4, 2022
July 10 | Endurance Inspired by Faith
It’s been said that the Christian life is not a sprint but a marathon. . . . One thing hindering the Thessalonian believers from enduring the race was confusion about the end times and return of Christ. Confusion about the future caused them uncertainty in the present.
July 1, 2022
How to Measure Church Health
By Jim Estep I hate going to the doctor. The first thing they ask me to do is step on the scale. Then, they take all the standard measurements: blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and oxygen level, among others. Finally, they ask, “So why are you here? How are you feeling?” I describe my ailment (while trying not to sound like a whiner). Doctors evaluate a person’s health based on some very objective (quantitative) measures as well as verbal (qualitative) descriptions. A church’s health should be evaluated the same way. We need to remember the church is an organism, not an
June 10, 2022
‘A Focus of Prayer’: Compass Celebrates Baptism Rebound in a Visual Way
A wall at Compass Christian Church in Chandler, Ariz., tells the story of the rebound in baptisms the megachurch has experienced thus far in 2022.
June 9, 2022
Throwback Thursday: Issues Facing the Restoration Movement (1982)
Forty years ago, Christian Standard's editor polled readers on the "most crucial" issues facing the Restoration Movement. He promised to steer editorial content toward the themes considered most important. The results were announced June 13, 1982 . . .
A Passion for John 17: The Legacy of Don DeWelt
By Chris DeWelt Sometimes a cataclysmic event can sharpen one’s focus. Sometimes a difficult trial can give new meaning to all the pieces in one’s life. Sometimes suffering is the key in finding clarity of vision. My father, Don DeWelt, possessed a passion for the body of Christ to live out the prayer of Jesus for his followers: I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in
