Articles for tag: Grace

March 13, 2019

Christian Standard

Inaugural Hayden Lectureship Scheduled March 26-28 (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan will host its inaugural Hayden Lectureship later this month honoring the legacy of former Christian Standard editor Edwin V. Hayden. The lectureship March 26-28 will feature Dr. Dwight N. Hopkins, an eminent African-American and global theologian who is Alexander Campbell Professor of Theology at the University of Chicago Divinity School. Hopkins’s lecture series, “Being Human: Wealth, Leadership and Values,” will include the following three presentations: “Wealth and Faith in Black American Experiences” (11 a.m. March 26), “Black Liberation Theology and Global Cross-Cultural Leadership” (7:30 p.m. March 27), and

March 6, 2019

Christian Standard

The Stories Behind Eight Uniquely Named Churches

By Jim Nieman Church names aren’t what they used to be. Today’s church planters are choosing names that signify movement, evoke an emotion or a feeling, and capture the imagination. Even long-established churches are eschewing “old-style” church names in favor of names that convey something spiritual or otherwise meaningful. We wrote to ministers of a number of uniquely named churches across the country and invited them to tell us how and when their church decided on its name. We asked, “Why did you name your church what you did?” We also welcomed hearing interesting anecdotes about their church name. Eight

March 5, 2019

Christian Standard

How to Have Influence in Dialogue with the Ignorant, Obstinate, and Belligerent . . . and with Those Sitting on the Sidelines

By Michael McCann Let me clarify from the beginning: I am addressing these comments to followers of Jesus who, accordingly, take seriously their calling as disciples to reach out to those who don’t know Jesus and lead them to become his disciples as well. Everything below is slanted toward that end. If you are not committed toward that end, these suggestions will be irrelevant to you. Social media can be fertile ground for toxic conversation, and it often bleeds over into face-to-face encounters. Someone might say, “That is my social media persona, but that isn’t the real me.” Yet Jesus

March 5, 2019

Christian Standard

Spiritual MRI

By Halee Wood  Have you ever had an MRI? An MRI produces detailed pictures of internal body structures. It can assist in diagnosing many things we never want to face: aneurysms, inner ear issues, spinal cord injuries, cancerous tumors, and more. A prescribed MRI makes us cringe because we don’t want anything “bad” exposed, though all the while, in our gut we already know something is wrong or we would not have sought the help of a physician. An MRI can diagnose, but it cannot cure. The physician is who leads you through the healing process. The apostle Paul once

February 24, 2019

Christian Standard

Generosity as Discipleship: Do Campaigns Still Work?

By Julie Bullock I was asked a question by my good friend Jerry Harris (lead pastor of The Crossing in Quincy, Illinois) the first time we spoke on the phone a few years ago: “Julie, do campaigns really still work? I mean, I know you have to say they do because it’s your job to do them, but do they still work? Shoot me straight.” An hour of vibrant conversation ensued as I sat in an airport lounge in Dallas and had the privilege of sharing with one of America’s great pastors why yes, campaigns—or generosity initiatives, as I prefer

February 11, 2019

Mark Scott

Lesson for February 17, 2019: God Is with You in Your Oppression (Joseph)

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 issue no. 2 (weeks 5–8; February 3–24, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ Lesson Text: Genesis 39:1-4, 19-23 Lesson Aim: Be assured that God will never forsake you in times of trouble. ______ By Mark Scott  We sometimes use the expression, “There is light at the end of the tunnel,” when we want to emphasize that good is on the way and that soon our “tunnel experience” will end.

February 4, 2019

Mark Scott

Lesson for February 10, 2019: God Is with You in Blessed Times (Jacob)

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 issue no. 2 (weeks 5–8; February 3–24, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ Lesson Aim: Don’t forget that God is the source of your blessings. ______ By Mark Scott  Long ago Jewish prayers often started, “Blessed be he . . .” Prayer began with blessing God. The irony is that God, who deserves all the blessing, has blessed us (Ephesians 1:3-14). Surely we experience difficult days on this

February 2, 2019

Christian Standard

My Personal Finance Story: We Peek at the Past, We Focus on the Future

By Chris Brown I remember my 11th birthday like it was yesterday. I was sitting on the floor of an empty, roach-infested apartment. There was no food or furniture in No. 217 of the Ocean Breeze apartments at the corner of Edwards and Warner on the wrong side of Huntington Beach, California. I was sitting there scared and confused. I remember staring out the second-story balcony window wishing my birthday could be different. I was hoping for bounce houses, presents, and perhaps some ice-cream cake. But I couldn’t help replaying the last several years of my life. I knew that

February 2, 2019

Christian Standard

Rewritable

By Brian Jennings “Man, I don’t have any rewritable CDs. I don’t think anyone still has rewritable CDs.” My words failed to calm him down. De-escalation seemed impossible. He got louder and angrier. He took a step forward and I was thinking, It’s about to go down—right here, right now. Twenty minutes earlier I’d asked my friend, José, if he wanted to walk from our office to my favorite lunch spot in the neighborhood. I was in the mood for Korean food—I’m always in the mood for Korean food. About a half-mile of worn-out parking lots and side streets separated

February 2, 2019

Christian Standard

How to Fund Your Ministry for the Long Term

7 Numbers that Explain the Benefits of Estate Planning By D. Clay Perkins Could your church or ministry use more money? Financial planning can advance your ministry, of course, but it can also benefit your donors! Effective leaders do the right things consistently. They focus, among other things, on achieving long-term financial health for the ministry they serve. Mission and passion drive leaders to serve, but those alone won’t make them succeed. We serve a heavenly purpose, but each of us faces an earthly reality. Cash flow is “king,” even for faith-based, nonprofit organizations. Positive cash flow can be elusive,

January 30, 2019

Christian Standard

John Derry to Step Down as HIU’s President (Plus News Briefs)

Hope International University President John L. Derry has announced his retirement. Derry will step down on Aug. 15 after 15 years as Hope’s president, HIU said in a news release. “Over the past several months, Jane and I have been praying and considering when would be the best time for us to transition to retirement,” Derry said. “A decision like this is certainly not easy and in no way reflects on our confidence in the future of the university.” The Derrys have grandchildren in Texas and Ohio and hope to spend more time with them. Since becoming president of HIU,

January 29, 2019

Christian Standard

Becoming Postmodern Wells

Demonstrating the Wild, Open-Hearted Love of God in Las Vegas   By Mel McGowan  I have been studying a story from the Bible that speaks directly to my heart—the story of the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. She was getting water, doing chores, going about her day. Then Jesus came to her in the midst of her daily activities. It offers a powerful picture of how the people of God should function as the church—loving people right where they are. We must be the well, inviting people who are going about their daily lives, from all different backgrounds, to come

January 29, 2019

Christian Standard

Q. Should Women Be Involved in Church Leadership and Preaching Roles? (A. YES)

By Lorelei Pinney Nij   It is incredible the modern church remains mired in the centuries-old debate of the role of women in ministry. In the late 1970s, when I was a senior at Dallas Christian College, one of my professors challenged me to examine this topic using only Scripture as my prooftext. It was enlightening and empowering to discover the principle limitations on women were not divinely inspired but were placed on them by men.   Jesus’ View of Women I explored this question first: “How did Jesus treat women and what did he teach about women?” It is

January 29, 2019

David Roadcup

The Ultimate Goal: Spiritual Transformation

By David Roadcup   This month I want to stir the church leadership pot with three pertinent questions: 1. What does God want from us with regard to shaping the lives of church members? In other words, what is to be the ultimate outcome of our ministry? Someone might say, “Why, evangelism, of course!” Evangelism is absolutely critical in God’s plan, but we need to go deeper. Someone else might say, “Discipleship and nurture.” Also true. Evangelism and discipleship are the two engines that drive us to fulfill God’s plan for his people. But God’s ultimate goal for his church

January 29, 2019

Christian Standard

My Life Story . . . from Gang Member to Church Planter

By Gonzalo Venegas as told to Christian Standard   I was sitting in a prison cell, serving time for crimes I had committed as the leader of a street gang, when God spoke to me: “My children, my children—take care of my children.” I sensed his radical love. It is the only time I have ever heard from God in such an amazing way, and I cried because I knew exactly what he meant. God wasn’t talking only about young children, but all of his children. He was calling me to be a pastor.   My Life on the Streets

January 29, 2019

Christian Standard

Q. Should Women Be Involved in Church Leadership and Preaching Roles? (A. NO)

By Dale Cornett No, I’m neither a chauvinist nor a misogynist. Yes, I realize how unpopular the “traditional” position I’m about to defend has become. I admit that my wife and two daughters are smarter than me. I recognize women’s capabilities. I want them to become all they can be. But I also want to be true to the Word of God. What I am about to say about women leaders in the church is simply my best effort to be faithful to God and his design for men, women, family, and the church. I must admit, here at the

January 22, 2019

Christian Standard

Meaning of the Cross

By Randy Gordon What does the cross mean to you? The question is simple enough, but I fear few of us give it much thought. Maybe it’s because we see the cross in so many places. We see it on necklaces, bracelets, and pendants. We see it painted on the sides of train cars. We see it on the roadside after terrible auto accidents. We might even hang it on the wall of our home. Christians have embraced the cross, but in Jesus’ day, the cross represented capital punishment. In fact, execution on a cross was the Romans’ primary form

January 21, 2019

Mark Scott

Lesson for January 27, 2019: God Is Pleased with Faithful Obedience (Abraham—Genesis 12:1-7; 22:15-19)

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 issue no. 1 (weeks 1–4; January 6–27, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ Lesson Aim: Faithfully obey the Lord and experience his rich blessings. ______ By Mark Scott  Faith in God is like a muscle in the body. It has to be stretched to be strong. Each of the Old Testament people we have studied this month had their faith stretched. Abel stretched his faith with his sacrifice.

January 3, 2019

Christian Standard

Amazing Grace: How One Sunday in a Small, Dying Iowa Church Changed My Life

By Rick Chromey   “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me.” I’ve been singing that hymn my whole life, yet never captured what it truly meant until one frigid Sunday morning. I was a student at Nebraska Christian College. For extra money, I’d occasionally preach for churches in need, and this particular weekend, I agreed to speak for a small church about two hours from school. It was a brutally cold Sunday. The tiny, white, clapboard and steepled church was miles from the nearest town, saddled by snowbanks, and guarded by Iowa cornfields. Only a

January 3, 2019

Christian Standard

IN THE ARENA: Is It Fitting for Christians to Drink Alcohol in Moderation? (A. What If Abstinence Is the Stumbling Block?)

In the Arena In the arena of ideas and opinions, we offer a place for Christ-centered and Christ-honoring debate on nonessential issues. This month, Ken Idleman and Zach Spiering give us two opinions on a common hot-button issue among Christians: public drinking. Tell us what you think on this issue by leaving a comment below. (Also . . . tell us what other debatable issues we should discuss “In the Arena.”) _ _ _ By Zach Spiering During the time I taught at a Restoration Movement Bible college, I enjoyed the opportunities to work with wonderful, godly men and women

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