December 4, 2023
Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Mo., will host its Preaching-Teaching Convention Feb. 19-21. The gathering, which is designed “to help leaders lead better longer,” will feature main sessions, worship, and workshops. This year's theme: “Among the Lions: Trusting in God When You’re Trapped in Babylon.” . . .
June 28, 2023
Strong winds ripped off part of the back wall of Madison Hills Christian Church in Richmond, Ky., on Sunday night. The winds also blew off a front door. . . . Also briefs about J.K. Jones and Nathan Shedd, and briefs from Kentucky Christian University and ICOM.
October 31, 2022
The theme of seeking God unites sections of Psalms 63 and 105. In strong parallelism and with beautiful pictures, the psalmists told us where God could be found and what that would mean for the whole world.
July 18, 2016
By J.K. Jones Eastview Christian Church, Normal, Illinois, is a church marked by continual encounters with Jesus. I hope that doesn”t sound boastful or bombastic. We regularly witness genuine life transformation in people of all walks and stripes. That long and incomplete list includes police officers, public school teachers, insurance employees, strippers, bartenders, drug and alcohol abusers, self-righteous religious folk, gay and lesbian, black and white, rich and poor, male and female, coaches and athletes, children and elderly, and outsiders and insiders. Some are as intentional and seeking as the pearl merchant described in Matthew 13:45, 46. Others are as
May 16, 2016
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the May 15 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott My close friend J. K. Jones said, “I spent the first 40 years of my life as a child trying to be an adult. I am thinking of spending the last 40 years of my life as an adult trying to be a child again.” There is
February 11, 2016
By Mark A. Taylor Our theology affects all our actions and decisions“”how we live and serve and react and decide. But do most Christians and Christian leaders define their decisions by their theology? Can we do this? How? Why should we try? For answers we talked with four church leaders and Bible scholars: “¢ Ben Cachiaras, senior pastor with Mountain Christian Church, Joppa, Maryland “¢ Frank Dicken, assistant professor of New Testament at Lincoln (Illinois) Christian University “¢ J. K. Jones, pastor of spiritual formation with Eastside Christian Church, Normal, Illinois “¢ Jon Weatherly, dean of the School of Bible
July 30, 2015
We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from Mike Baker, senior pastor with Eastview Christian Church, Normal, Illinois. ________ Two men have helped me think both as a Christian and a pastor for nearly 25 years. Both Cal Jernigan, senior pastor at Central Christian Church of Mesa, Arizona, and J.K. Jones, pastor of spiritual formation at Eastview Christian Church, Normal, Illinois, have impacted my thinking in great ways. J.K.
July 23, 2015
We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from Mark Scott, professor of preaching and ministry, Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. ________ As tempting as it is to name the five members of my family (wife and four children), I will name and give commentary to five thought leaders. Two are older and have mentored me. One is a peer and has walked alongside of me. Two are younger and
July 16, 2015
Lookout Editor Kelly Carr speaks with J.K. Jones, who led morning Bible study sessions throughout the 2015 North American Christian Convention. Jones, pastor of spiritual formation at Eastview Christian Church, Normal, Illinois, talks about his love for books and their importance in his spiritual formation. Listen to their conversation.
May 7, 2015
By Jennifer Johnson A look at how some growing churches are growing in ways difficult to measure but vital to achieve. ____ Jason Yeatts Executive minister, adults The Creek, Indianapolis, Indiana In our movement, I think the habits of the early 19th century are ingrained””that discipleship means giving people the right material or sermon. At The Creek, we have made an intentional shift from “informational discipleship” to a relational model. Four years ago we started a series of four classes called “Life on Life.” The idea was you”d move through them””from Belong to Grow to Serve to Engage””and be ready
February 21, 2015
By J.K. Jones Whether five eager beavers show up or 500, I will be prepared to teach morning Bible study at the 2015 North American Christian Convention. Teaching puts a smile on my face. I wholeheartedly embrace the morning and I cherish Bible study. More than anything, I hunger to know Jesus and make him known. So, consider this brief article an official invitation. The NACC morning Bible study time is a perfectly splendid way of devouring and ruminating upon President Mike Baker”s theme, “We Speak.” On three successive mornings, Wednesday through Friday, June 24-26, the study will come from
February 5, 2015
By J.K. Jones I admit I am no authority on Henri Nouwen, though I’ve read his writings extensively and prayerfully. The one aspect I want to talk about in this article is Nouwen’s struggle with same-sex attraction. I believe he offers help and hope for anyone struggling with their sexual identity. A brief biographical sketch is a good starting place. Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen was born January 24, 1932, in Nijkerk, Netherlands. The oldest of four children, his earliest memories were those of wanting to become a Catholic priest. His educational journey included the study of theology and psychology. He
January 1, 2015
TUESDAY, JUNE 23Â 8:30 a.m.”” Cane Ridge Adventure Tour (tickets required) 9:00 a.m.”” PROPEL Pre-Lab Event (information on page 50) 1:00 p.m.””Logos Bible Software Training (tickets required) 6:45 p.m.””Evening Main Session (Mike Baker speaking) 8:30 p.m.””College Fair 8:30 p.m.””President”s Reception WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24 7:30 a.m.””Ministry Networking Breakfast (tickets required) 8:00 a.m.”” Ministers” Wives” Breakfast (tickets required) 8:30 a.m.”” Bible Study with J.K. Jones 9:45 a.m.””Morning Main Session (“Next Generation” preachers and LeRoy Lawson speaking) Noon””Seniors” Luncheon with John and Bob Russell (tickets required) 2:00 p.m.””Seminars/Workshops 3:30 p.m.””Performance by Michael Jr., Christian comedian 5:00 p.m.”” President”s Banquet (tickets required) 6:45
January 16, 2014
By J.K. Jones It is a plague that seeks to devour our churches, a spiritual disease as old as Adam and Eve. It is a sickness of the soul. It is a sleight of hand, a slick replacement of God with something that resembles him but is not him. Consumerism of the Christian kind is a making of God into our own likeness, wanting him on our own terms. At its most crass level, clearly evident in the North American Christian landscape, consumer Christianity is taking and never giving in return. It is a worldview, a way of living out
February 11, 2013
By J.K. Jones Jr. I”m grateful for our emphasis on logic and reason, but I believe the Holy Spirit is larger than something we can capture or fully understand. But starting with the words of Scripture, we can begin to grasp the Spirit”s role in the life God has planned for us to enjoy. Some things are so big they nearly resist explanation. Consider the way of an eagle in the sky. I”ve watched our national bird soar over the Mississippi River, gliding effortlessly on waves of unseen air currents, then dive at light speed to scoop breakfast from the
June 16, 2012
By Mark A. Taylor The best way to avoid conflict about worship styles is to leave things the way they are, right? Not according to a survey conducted by Faith Communities Today* (FACT). FACT has surveyed religious congregations of every kind, Jewish and Muslim and others as well as Protestants, Evangelicals, Catholics, and Orthodox. When it comes to worship, these groups, diverse as they are, have some things in common. One of these is conflict. One set of questions in the FACT surveys surrounded worship change and conflict. Most of the congregations (60 percent) that introduced “a lot of change”
June 14, 2012
By J.K. Jones Jr. “Rah-Rah” for the CHRISTIAN STANDARD! This is so unlike me to want to lead a cheer for a 146-year-old magazine (founded in 1866 by Isaac Errett), but here I am acting the fool. Those who know me could attest that I prefer a quiet life outside of the public eye. I tend toward encouraging others to stand up and speak out, but at least in this one instance, I find myself uncontrollably vocal. I”d like to take a few minutes and tell you why I”m imitating King David who “was dancing before the Lord with all
April 5, 2011
By J.K. Jones God longs for us to know him, so he uses ordinary words to reveal his extraordinary self. And the written Word of God, Old and New Testament Scripture, was fleshed out and made known through the Living Word of God, Jesus. Many of us have heard all the arguments and defenses about words not really mattering. We can recall some of the more famous lines from our childhood: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” “It is not what you say that counts but what you do.” “Talk is cheap.” In
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