January 1, 2026
Succession and the Church
Few churches handle lead minister succession well, but there are four steps for an effective succession PLAN (Prepare, Look Ahead, Assess, Navigate).
Articles for tag: Health
September 2, 2025
What I Learned in My African Internship
God can use me despite my weaknesses, and he can use my weaknesses to give me a better picture of how much I need him.
December 21, 2024
The Last and the First
Matt Branum, a church planter and minister, tells the story of a Christmas that turned out to be both a last and a first.
April 15, 2024
April 21 Application | ‘Unselfies’
“In the past,” a friend pointed out recently, “when people were outside enjoying nature, they photographed the scenery. . . . Now, we turn the camera the other direction and take pictures of ourselves.”
March 26, 2024
GLCC Meets with Accreditor to Discuss Its Financial Health
Hopes are high this week at Great Lakes Christian College as it meets with its accreditor to discuss its financial condition—and possibly emerge from a painful probationary period. . . .
November 1, 2023
Never Alone: The Power and Importance of Oneness
By Osharye Hagood I am one of seven siblings and grew up in densely populated Los Angeles. Even in a family and city so large, it’s easy to feel alone. My late brother Hussin was only 14 months older than me, but he was my hero. No, he was my superhero. We shared an unbreakable bond. Even when we were apart, I felt I was never alone. I mean this both emotionally, but also, in a way, tangibly. For example, a school bully once targeted me. The bully saw me by myself and assumed I was vulnerable. When he approached,
October 23, 2023
October 29 | Discovery
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Peter Serves in Lydda and Joppa” (Acts 9:32-43), by Mark Scott.
October 16, 2023
October 22 | Discovery
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Philip Preaches in Samaria” (Acts 8:4-24), by Mark Scott.
April 10, 2023
April 16 | Application (‘The Messiness of Ministry’)
Do you ever shake your head and sigh, 'Why is this world such a mess?'” David Faust asks. "Do you wish everyone would just get their act together and do what they’re supposed to do? . . ."
July 1, 2022
The Rhythms of a Well-Lived Life: Being Healthy Is Your Responsibility
By Alan Ahlgrim Too many times in my life my “stinkin’ thinkin’” and substandard theology led me to patterns that failed to improve my well-being. A few examples: I once determined to read the entire Bible out loud over the course of a year. That drained me more than blessed me. I once committed to a schedule that included both evening appointments and early morning meetings. Burning the candle at both ends left me flamed out. I was depleted by weariness and self-pity. I once adhered to a daily jogging regimen in all weathers. That led to injuries, especially when
January 10, 2022
Jan. 16 | Application
Something in the human spirit wants to push back and assert our independence. When Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, Peter refused at first. On the surface his objection appeared humble, but in reality, pride was at work.
October 12, 2021
Milligan Takes Steps to Support, Protect Student-Athletes
Milligan University athletic director Christian Pope has announced a series of initiatives to bolster the well-being of student-athletes at the Tennessee institution.
November 16, 2020
Discovery Questions for November 22, 2020
COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Nov. 22, 2020: Be Devoted to Doing Good (Titus 3:1-11) “Good for You” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What struggle or trial did you face over the past week? 2. As you interacted with people in your spheres of influence last week, how did you make the gospel “attractive”? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Titus 3:1-11 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the passage as if sharing the teaching
September 22, 2020
The Financial Impact of COVID-19 on Christian Churches
By Kent E. Fillinger As I write this in late June, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to morph daily as it impacts the world, economy, and church in innumerable ways. During the week of June 7, I conducted a COVID-19 Church Impact Survey to take a “snapshot” of how churches fared during the initial three months of quarantine (March to May) and what they anticipated would be happening over the next three months (June to August) as many started to regather for in-person worship services. A total of 334 church leaders from 39 states responded, providing a balanced cross-section of all-sized
September 22, 2020
Beyond the Pandemic: How the Church Can Respond to Three Urgent Needs in Their Communities
By Kent E. Fillinger The full impact of COVID-19 goes well beyond the number of confirmed cases, the death toll, and the unemployment rate that many are tracking. The pandemic has exacerbated several preexisting problems like anxiety, depression, suicide, child abuse, drug abuse, and others. These often overlooked “killers” are affecting scores of Americans today, and some experts say these conditions have reached epidemic proportions. Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, assistant U.S. secretary for mental health and substance use, said in late May, “The increase in the number of suicides, fatal drug overdoses and instances of domestic abuse will be broad, deep
COVID-19 Causing Children’s Minister to ‘Rethink Everything’
By Chris Moon In her 20 years in children’s ministry at Fairview Christian Church in Carthage, Mo., Angie Fewin has never seen anything like COVID-19 and the effects it has had on the local church. “We’ve had to rethink everything,” she said. Just as senior pastors and church elders across the country have been working out how to reestablish in-person worship services as government stay-at-home orders are lifting, so children’s ministers are trying to figure out how to return their ministries to some semblance of normal—or at least to a new normal. And there’s no time to lose. Summer—the highlight
May 22, 2019
Misfitbit
From After Class Podcast It’s time Christians stop obsessing about fitness and start focusing on more important things in life—like sin. This is why we’ve developed an innovative, always-on-call spiritual healthcare consultant. The Misfitbit Sinful Activity Tracker is a technologically advanced wristband that monitors your morality 24/7. Its advanced voice-recognition software detects all verbal indiscretions, including, but not limited to, swearing, yelling in anger, and taking the Lord’s name in vain. The “Super Saint Setting” can also sense white lies and white curses like “darn,” “shoot,” and “heck.” Its übersensitive microphone detects when you are listening to inappropriate music, hanging
February 27, 2019
News Briefs for Feb. 27, 2019
Ken Idleman will speak at the Mississippi Christian Convention March 29 and 30 at the Coliseum Civic Center in Corinth, Miss. “Dream Small” is the theme. Go to www.midsouthchristian.edu or contact Chuck Hassell at jt*********@*****ok.com for more information. _ _ _ The School of Business at Kentucky Christian University will host its ninth annual Leadership Conference April 4 in Grayson. The conference allows students and area business professionals to learn the art of leadership from a variety of leaders. Participants will include retired minister Bob Russell, Amazon launch and expansion manager Cassie Kiser Brodie, and Center for Disease Control public
January 2, 2019
‘Pastor’s Project’ Offers Help to Struggling Ministers
By Chris Moon Dick Creek has been busy lately—and it’s the result of having knee surgery. A year and a half ago, he launched The Pastor’s Project, an initiative to help struggling pastors. The effort has grown since then to include a “Rapid Response” ministry for pastors who find themselves in crisis and a “Rural Church Initiative” to connect thriving churches with those that might be struggling, in hopes of sparking a revitalization. And all of this emerged from the time Creek was stuck in his chair, healing up from knee replacement surgery. “I had a lot of time on
June 20, 2017
3 Things that Make a Worship Leader Great
By Chuck Dennie It was a beautiful spring day when I pulled into the long driveway of a church that had a large property. The pastor had asked me to spend time with the church”s worship leader. As I approached the building, I saw beautiful landscaping, a well-manicured pond, and someone mowing the grass. I was about an hour early, and the pastor greeted me at the offices. I asked if we could get started early and if he would introduce me to his worship leader. He pointed outside to the guy mowing the grass and said, “There is my worship
