Articles for tag: Innovative Ministry

September 1, 2012

Both Approaches Can Be Successful

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

Jennifer Taylor

Church & Ministry Community Outreach

The Buddy System

Central Church of Christ in Mount Vernon, Ohio, serves people with Down syndrome through its VIP program, pairing participants with buddies for Bible lessons, outings, parades, and gospel outreach.

November 1, 2010

Jennifer Taylor

Church & Ministry Small Groups

Fun and Games

Sherwood Oaks Christian Church used Tom Ellsworth’s It’s Your Move books to turn summer board game nights into intergenerational Bible study and welcoming connection.