Articles for tag: Innovative Ministry

September 1, 2012

By Jennifer Johnson I like Matthew Barnett“s philosophy of serving: “Find a need and fill it.” For Barnett, founder of The Dream Center in Los Angeles, the motto has worked well. Since its launch in 1994, the center has served millions of poor, addicted, homeless, and broken people. Thousands of volunteers lead ministries ranging from residential rehab to “Adopt-A-Block” teams in 35 locations across the city. I also like their story: Pastor Matthew”s outreach to the gangs surrounding the church”s iconic building, the organic growth of ministries developed by members, and its identity as “the church that never sleeps.” But

March 12, 2011

Christian Standard

Mission & Evangelism

Sharing the Stories of Martyrs

By Jennifer Taylor Trent Renner, lead pastor at Parkway Christian Church (Surprise, Arizona), read about hundreds of Christian martyrs as part of his morning devotions in 2010. When planning for 2011, he knew these stories would inspire and challenge his church. “The accounts of persecution and the way these heroes faithfully endured it for Christ really affected me,” he says. “It changed my perspective and made me more grateful for the freedom in our country.” At the beginning of the year, Renner invited church members to share the story of one martyr in one service on one weekend. “We have

January 31, 2011

Christian Standard

Ministries & Nonprofits Organizations & Events

Cookson Hills Adds An Equine Program

by Jennifer Taylor Cookson Hills Christian Ministries (Kansas, Oklahoma), a ministry to abused and neglected children and their families, has added an equine program””and it”s much more than just riding horses. “In counseling, horses can be used to assess a client”s current mental status, stress, emotional tolerance level, problem-solving and survival strategies, and self-concept,” the organization writes. “The human responses elicited in the first equine assisted psychotherapy session can reveal truths about a client that normally would take 20 or more “˜talk therapy” sessions.” In addition to their therapy program, Cookson Hills provides opportunities for horsemanship classes, trail rides, and

November 16, 2010

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Community Outreach

The Buddy System

By Jennifer Taylor Central Church of Christ (Mount Vernon, Ohio) is committed to serving people with special needs. Five years ago the church launched its “Very Important Persons” class for community members with Down syndrome. Each participant is matched with a “buddy” who becomes a special mentor and meets on Wednesday afternoons for Bible lessons, singing, trips, restaurant outings, and more. “An outgrowth of the ministry has been clowning,” says associate minister Don Linn. “The group rides in parades and visits nursing homes together. Not only is it fun for them, but we”ve discovered people treat them differently. Kids approach

November 1, 2010

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Teaching

Fun and Games

By Jennifer Taylor Sherwood Oaks Christian Church (Bloomington, Indiana) doesn”t usually offer midweek programming during the summer, but this year it tried something new””and discovered a program adaptable to any church at any time of the year. SOCC developed the approach around Tom Ellsworth”s new It”s Your Move books, which connect the fun of popular board games to Bible study and real-life application. Ellsworth, senior minister at the church, wrote the books for small group use but found the material translated well to a larger gathering. “We spent the first half hour or so playing the game together around tables;