February 23, 2026
Since 1995, the National Preaching Summit has focused specifically on preaching. Learn the event’s history, leadership, and 2026 theme, plus details for the March 9-10 gathering at The Creek in Indianapolis.
September 4, 2025
Offering, providing, and even requiring sabbatical is good policy because an investment in our leaders is an investment in the future of the church.
July 3, 2025
The Solomon Foundation is a great illustration of interdependence! We receive investments and put that money to work to build churches—to build the kingdom—all while giving a great return on that investment!
September 1, 2024
There is something right and beautiful about grateful, healthy patriotism, as long as it is always subject to our greater citizenship and its responsibilities.
May 1, 2024
AVERAGE WEEKLY IN-PERSON-ONLY WORSHIP ATTENDANCE Megachurches: 4,499 (37 churches) Emerging Megachurches: 1,088 (43 churches) Large Churches: 591 (38 churches) Medium Churches: 320 (54 churches) Small Churches: 137 (74 churches) Very Small Churches: 49 (68 churches) _ _ _ AVERAGE WEEKLY IN-PERSON + ONLINE WORSHIP ATTENDANCE Megachurches: 6,424 (37 churches) Emerging Megachurches: 1,430 (43 churches) Large Churches: 712 (38 churches) Medium Churches: 370 (54 churches) Small Churches: 162 (74 churches) Very Small Churches: 55 (68 churches) 76% of the churches reported online worship attendance numbers _ _ _ TOTAL ATTENDANCE GROWTH RATES (2022 TO 2023) Megachurches: 12.0% Emerging Megachurches: 25.2% Large:
April 17, 2024
Larry Griffin of Mid-South Christian College (Memphis, Tenn.) has announced he intends to step away from his role as president of MSCC when a suitable replacement is found. Griffin has served as president for 25 years. . . . Also, briefs about Dr. Gerald Dyson of Kentucky Christian University . . . GLCC, RENEW.org, and two Church of Christ institutions.
March 20, 2024
Register today for the RENEW.org National Gathering April 29-30 (prices go up on Thursday). Also briefs from Ozark Christian College and TCM, and sports briefs from Milligan University, Jessup University, and Great Lakes Christian College.
July 1, 2023
By Jeff Faull What makes a good leader? Shouldn’t we who are followers of Jesus and leaders for Jesus want to know? A simple internet search brings up thousands of articles on leadership. Titles like “Five Qualities of a Good Leader,” “The Top Ten Characteristics of a Good Leader,” “Twenty Requirements for an Effective Leader,” and a myriad of similar options appear. Many of those articles lay out the essential components of great leadership. The suggestions are endless. Characteristics like vision, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, creativity, communication skills, decisiveness, empathy, charisma, and others top the lists. All these are
December 5, 2022
e2:effective elders has created a four-part resource designed to empower elders to preach. "The Preaching Elder: Refilling the Preaching Pipeline" was created especially with elders in mind—to offer training through a book and other resources to help with a need that has developed because of a diminishing preaching pipeline.
September 1, 2022
By Jeff Faull Who am I? How do I see myself? How do I want to be perceived? Which aspect of my identity is most important to me? Is there a right way or a wrong way to settle these questions as a follower of Jesus? When considering these questions, some people focus on racial, ethnic, or national identity. Others are consumed with sexual or gender identity. Still others emphasize economic, professional, cultural, social, or even religious identity. With the furor over people, politics, passions, pride, power, perceptions, and pronouns, identity always seems to be an issue and an unceasing
March 1, 2021
A funeral service for Christian preacher and educator George Faull, 80, took place Monday at the Church of Christ at Grissom, Peru, Ind., with his three sons speaking.
March 25, 2019
By Jeff Faull Scripture urges church leaders to lead with humility and confidence. These two qualities are not mutually exclusive. Timidity is not humility, and confidence is not pride. The boldness of the apostles was often displayed and noted. Young Timothy was encouraged by Paul to abandon timidity and to lead with power. Yet, so often as leaders we fail to exhibit the spirit of power and discipline God has given us, and we exchange it for a posture of fear and hesitancy. Consequently, we cripple the opportunity to lead well. Why do we sometimes lack confidence in ministry? Why
February 27, 2019
By Jeff Faull âThe elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teachingâ (1 Timothy 5:17, New American Standard Bible). Church leaders are often called to work hard at preaching and teaching. One of the most challenging aspects of that responsibility is finding and developing sources of relevant, interesting, and compelling illustrations. Here are a few simple suggestions for finding fresh illustrations for sermons, meditations, or Bible studies. SCOUR THE NEWS, ESPECIALLY THE WEIRD NEWS The news provides illustrations from real life that are instantly documented, perennially
By Jeff Faull “Look to the rock from which you were hewn and to the quarry from which you were dug” (Isaiah 51:1, New American Standard Bible). The Old Testament prophet Isaiah was not writing about church leadership or the Restoration Movement, but his words could easily be appropriated for Restoration church leaders. It is both refreshing and profitable for us to “look to our quarry” and gratefully consider the noble and admirable beginnings, underpinnings, and the future of our Restoration heritage. But could we start with an admission? Some inherent pitfalls come with our simple plea and its accompanying
June 20, 2017
By Jeff Faull Attitudes toward the Restoration Movement from within the movement are greatly varied. They range from a blind, unquestioning loyalty to the movement””its founders, champions, and slogans””to a lack of interest and an assessment that our historic plea and positions are irrelevant, all the way to an overt disdain and intentional distancing from our heritage and history. Myriads of articles have been written about the ongoing decline of denominational loyalty. The editors of Christianity Today even put a tombstone under the headline “Are Denominations Dead?” on their June 2010 cover, highlighting a piece on waning tribal commitment by
April 2, 2017
By Jeff Faull It”s difficult to find a follower of God in Scripture who did not take big risks. Look at those who brought Jesus into the world. Look at the first church and the ministry of the apostles. How can our ministries and personal lives follow their example? Famous psychologist Abraham Maslow is best known for his hierarchy of needs pyramid. According to Maslow, the most primal needs we have involve our bodily activities, like breathing, eating, or drinking. Second only to those needs is the basic human desire for security and safety. We are driven by the desire
January 12, 2017
By Jeff Faull One of the most beautiful and reassuring scenes in Scripture is found in the opening pages of Revelation. It focuses on the all-holy, all-seeing, all-powerful Jesus walking among the seven candlesticks or lampstands. And with unmistakable clarity John declares, “the seven lampstands are the seven churches” (Revelation 1:20). Incredible! In all of his love, majesty, and insight, Christ has the church as his overriding concern and passion! He moves among the candlesticks. As church members and church leaders, we frequent this place of beauty””immersed in, obsessed by, and saturated with visions of the church in Scripture. Some
February 7, 2016
By Jeff Faull The Book that Made Your World suggests that the Bible provided the framework that orders most of Western society today. Whether we realize it or not, most of us think theologically. The things we believe or fail to believe about God and his will shape our worldview and how we react to situations in life. Author Vishal Mangalwadi is so attuned to this concept that he published an entire volume entitled The Book that Made Your World with the subtitle How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2012). His thesis is that
October 10, 2015
By Jeff Faull Stephen M.R. Covey calls it “the one thing that changes everything.” When you have it, you can move forward quickly, confidently, and positively. When you don”t have it, your enterprise, organization, or endeavor is hindered and even paralyzed. According to Covey, trust is what changes everything. In fact his New York Times best seller on the subject is titled The Speed of Trust. Covey contends the commodity most overlooked and underrated in organizational health and efficiency is the trust factor. No, he isn”t longing for a return to the days of deals sealed with a simple handshake
August 6, 2015
By Randy Gariss “Sacred cows” exist in far more places than just India; you may find them in our culture”s views about family and home. Some of our most committed believers lack a biblical view of family, hurting both themselves and the church. Jesus said some pretty shocking and “unfamily things” about family. An example might be, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters””yes, even their own life””such a person cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). Hate your family? Surely understanding the original Greek word softens this, right? No, sorry,
April 7, 2026
John B. Penrose Jr
April 7, 2026
David Faust
March 27, 2026
Rick Cherok