December 2, 2020
50 Things I’ve Learned in 50 Years of Preaching
Victor Knowles recommends you ask yourself these questions as you preach or prepare to preach.
Articles for tag: Francis Chan
August 10, 2020
Lesson for August 16, 2020: Stop the Spiral (Judges 2:10-19)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the August 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ Lesson Aim: When God disciplines, repent. ________ By Mark Scott Judges may well be the ugliest book in the Bible. Perpetual sin was creating a union with death among God’s people. “There was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25, English Standard Version; cf. 17:6; 18:1;
June 22, 2019
Considering Robert Coleman
By Jerry Harris Some people we cross paths with in life leave an indelible mark. Robert Coleman is such a person for me. A few years ago, I was part of a group of leaders who were preparing the speaking lineup for that year’s Exponential conference. The focus that year was on discipleship and its relationship to church planting. Jim Putman, a preacher whose life and ministry have been devoted to relational discipleship, was chosen as a featured speaker and also selected to help write that year’s accompanying book. He and Bobby Harrington were looking for a third person to
September 25, 2015
The Best Sermon I’ve Ever Heard (3)
By Arron Chambers Christian leaders, some of them preachers themselves, tell us about a sermon they can”t forget””and maybe you won”t either. Interestingly, this month”s submissions include two sermons delivered at the same church but by different speakers, and two sermons by fathers of the contributors. Enjoy! Jennifer Farber Jennifer is executive director of the KORE Foundation. She works with the Small Holder Poultry Project in Haiti and oversees stateside operations. Jennifer”s Best Sermon: The best sermon on reaching, serving, and helping people to live better lives by Dennis Bratton (Jennifer”s father). This sermon was delivered at Journey Christian Church
June 29, 2015
9 Recommended Discipleship Materials
By Michael C. Mack While discipleship is more than a program or curriculum, a number of tools can be helpful in your discipling process. Here are nine resources recommended by ministers and elders across the country: 1. The Pastoral Epistles (especially 1 & 2 Timothy) 2. Thoroughly Equipped (available at www.thoroughlyequipped.org) 3. The Truth Project, Del Tackett (www.thetruthproject.org) 4. Seven Keys to an Effective Ministry, Rick Warren (www.pastors.com/7keys) 5. Multiply, Francis Chan (www.multiplymovement.com) 6. Becoming a Disciple-Maker / A Call to Joy, Billie Hanks Jr. (www.ieaom.org) 7. Real-Life Discipleship Training Manual: Equipping Disciples Who Make Disciples, Jim Putman (amazon.com, among
March 14, 2014
Ships in the Night?
By Darrel Rowland Churches across the country are shedding denominational names, and well-known Evangelical leaders, such as Francis Chan, are expressing the importance of biblical baptism. Are the heirs to the Restoration Movement headed in the other direction? “I find that denominational preachers are really finding an interest in our doctrine and our stand,” says Ben Merold, minister-at-large with Harvester Christian Church in St. Charles, Missouri. “At about the time they”re kind of coming our way, we”re not making much of our doctrine and our Restoration Movement stand.” Victor Knowles, founder of Peace On Earth Ministries, remarked, “It is more
June 20, 2013
A Conversation with Jeff Faull
Meet Our Contributing Editors: This month we begin a series of interviews with CHRISTIAN STANDARD”s contributing editors. What they have to say about the church, the ministry, our fellowship of churches, and anything else on their minds will challenge and interest our readers. Their insights and questions amply illustrate why each of these volunteers is such a valuable part of the CHRISTIAN STANDARD team. Interview by Jennifer Johnson QUESTION: You and I both sit in on these conversations about the future of the Restoration Movement, and it seems many times they rehash the same topics and complaints. Let”s go
January 10, 2013
Quality People, Challenging Content
CHRISTIAN STANDARD”s contributing editors will enjoy their annual retreat January 16-18, a meeting that is a highlight of the year for many of us who attend it. The discussions each meeting focus on the magazine”s and this website”s content and appearance. What are the topics and who are the writers that must be included in coming issues? Which are the events and trends that our readers want to read more about? This is all very serious stuff, but in the midst of it there”s plenty of laughter, an abundance of good-natured kidding, and the brand of hilarious true stories that
September 22, 2012
The Culture of Celebrity Pastors
By Brian Mavis Joel Osteen, Rob Bell, Francis Chan, John Piper, T.D. Jakes, Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Billy Graham, Dwight L. Moody, Charles Spurgeon, George Whitefield, John Wesley, John Calvin, Martin Luther, Augustine, Origen, Polycarp. Celebrity pastors are nothing new. So what”s new and what”s next? Putting ourselves first is as old as day one (I mean, day six). The difference today is that the ability to reach the fruit, feed that temptation, and be applauded for it has never been easier. Just consider these low-hanging branches: YouTube, MySpace, iTunes, iMac, iPod, iPad, and iPhone. “I, me, mine . .
September 25, 2011
What a Wonderful Convention!
By Darrel Rowland A blur of scenes from the 2011 North American Christian Convention in Cincinnati . . . “¢ A pair of preachers, leaders of churches totaling about 30,000 in weekly attendance, breaking down in tears at 1 a.m. in their hotel””then taking pizza to the homeless . . . “¢ Two women riding one step apart on the escalator cackling when they realize they had worn identical blouses that day . . . “¢ Noisy protestors””including one toting a sign saying “Your Pastor Is a Liar”””occupying all four corners of the intersection just outside the main entrance to the
July 26, 2011
Read It for the Stories
By Mark A. Taylor I”m reading Unleashed, Dudley Rutherford”s brainchild and Standard Publishing”s new release based on the sermons at this summer”s North American Christian Convention. And I”m a fan. I expected the book to be full of solid scriptural teaching. But I didn”t expect the book to draw me in so that I didn”t want to put it down. I didn”t expect it to make me laugh out loud or fight back tears. Unleashed will be purchased for many reasons, but my advice is, get the book for its stories. You”ll share them with your spouse. You”ll use
May 17, 2011
More than Teacups . . . a Plea for Biblical Literacy
Megan Gariss urges older Christians to help younger believers move beyond spiritual dependency by teaching them how to study Scripture, discover truth, and walk faithfully with God.
February 18, 2011
The Dynamic NACC Message in a Challenging New Book
Dudley Rutherford introduces Unleashed, a Standard Publishing book rooted in Acts and calling the church to boldness, Spirit-empowered witness, and renewed participation in the Great Commission.
February 16, 2011
Unleashed: A Preview of the 2011 North American Christian Convention
Dudley Rutherford previews the 2011 North American Christian Convention in Cincinnati, highlighting its “Unleashed” theme, Acts-focused message, and speaker lineup.
February 16, 2011
Through the Week at the 2011 NACC
The 2011 North American Christian Convention meets July 5-8 in Cincinnati, with main sessions, workshops, luncheons, tours, receptions, and affiliated events scheduled throughout the week.
September 22, 2010
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.
July 11, 2010
Risky Faith
Stephen Bond reflects on 34 years of risk-taking faith, from seminary and Chilean missions to Midwest ministry and church planting in Sparks, Nevada.
February 14, 2010
NACC: Jesus Calls Us to Go BEYOND
Ben Cachiaras previews NACC sessions in Indianapolis focused on discipleship, racial reconciliation, global mission, ministry health, community outreach, and surrendering self-reliance to follow Jesus beyond familiar limits.
February 14, 2010
NACC: A Blend of the Fresh and Familiar
Ben Cachiaras previews the 2010 NACC, including special guests, worship, Bible studies, new workshop tracks, Family Night, and opportunities for connection in downtown Indianapolis.
February 14, 2010
NACC: The Week’s Schedule
This NACC schedule lists July 6–9 events, including exhibit hall times, main sessions, Bible studies, workshops, student sessions, meals, and featured speakers.
