December 31, 2024
Thoughts on Leadership
There's no shortage of people wearing the leadership badge, but are they true leaders? Without a leader casting a vision, a church can find itself in turbulent waters.
Articles for tag: Jerry Harris
October 31, 2024
Mary In the Middle of the Mess
Thankfulness and gratitude are choices, and Mary demonstrated great strength in making her choices, which must have been at least one reason why God favored her. Thankfulness and gratitude are choices for us as well.
October 31, 2024
The Laws of Giving and Receiving
John 4 tells the story of a divine appointment that began with a woman far from God, but ended with many coming to know Jesus as the Savior of the world.
September 11, 2024
Re-becoming a Child of God
What is a child of God? I certainly identified myself this way, but I defined it through my service and leadership in the church. But what happens when the titles are transferred? What happens when the gift set has no place to be plugged in? How can I be a child of God without the things that I’ve used to define me as one?
July 1, 2024
Evangelism and Discipleship . . . Evangelism Comes First
The word "evangelism" seems to have fallen out of favor with many in church circles these days and been replaced with the word "discipleship." . . .
July 1, 2024
Foundation Stones of the Restoration Movement
I told my friend about the foundation stones of our movement: truth, unity, and evangelism. . . .
May 1, 2024
The Restoration Movement Today
Where is the Restoration Movement today and why do I even need to know this? . . .
The Solomon Foundation: Investing in a Movement and a Future
The Solomon Foundation is absolutely committed to the churches of the Restoration Movement. . . .
The Solomon Foundation’s Impact
A bottom line measured in outreach, church attendance, and baptisms . . .
March 1, 2024
Story
We all have a story, and so do our churches and movement. . . .
January 1, 2024
Avoiding Leadership Burnout
By Jerry Harris All church leaders are dealing with stress right now. Stress can come from every area of our lives. You might be under pressure, facing big changes, feeling a lack of control, shouldering heavy responsibility, or feeling uncertain about the future. You might be facing multiple issues simultaneously or feeling the effects of past experiences. Your stress might be triggered by illness, injury, parenting, infertility, bereavement, abuse, marriage, divorce, relationships, or caregiving. You might have lost your job, or be seeking a new job, or just started in a new role. Perhaps you retired recently. You might be
November 1, 2023
The Lies and the Truth About God’s Love
By Jerry Harris This is the time of year for thankfulness, celebration, joy, and love, but it also can be a time of loneliness and longing, discouragement and depression. We may think this is a product of our own minds and circumstances, but something more sinister is at work. In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Paul described a constant spiritual onslaught that is happening behind the scenes; it’s a battle for our hearts and minds that must be defended with the truth of God’s Word, especially as the enemy tries to rob us of that which God has richly provided. First Corinthians
September 27, 2023
Shawn McMullen Named Editor of Christian Standard
Shawn McMullen has been named the 13th editor of Christian Standard, succeeding Michael C. Mack, who died unexpectedly Aug. 24. McMullen has served previously as editor of The Lookout. “When I think about Christian Standard’s 157-year history, its impact on our churches, and its legacy of godly editors, I view this as a sacred trust,” McMullen said . . .
September 1, 2023
A Hard Lesson in Hope
By Jerry Harris Some years ago, a church member phoned and asked me to make a hospital call on their distant relative who was dying in the hospital. This relative had a terminal brain tumor and no relationship with Jesus. I had not been invited by the immediate family and so I figured it was going to be a bit awkward. I stepped into the hospital room with complete strangers and introduced myself. I wasn’t greeted warmly. The person in the bed was Benny Robertson, and he appeared to be close to death. He was in a half-seated position and
August 26, 2023
Mike Mack, 63, Was Always Willing to Step Out in Faith
Christian Standard editor Michael C. Mack, who died Thursday, wasn’t afraid to step out in faith. He switched from Catholicism to New Testament Christianity in his early 20s, gave up his business career to enter seminary, left his full-time job to launch a Christ-centered website, and became editor of a magazine for Christian leaders after two decades focused on small-group ministry. . . .
August 25, 2023
Remembering Our Editor, Mike Mack (1960–2023)
"It’s very hard to put into words my feelings upon hearing of the passing of Christian Standard editor Mike Mack on Thursday, Aug. 24," publisher Jerry Harris writes. "I am grieving the sudden loss of a friend and coworker even as I rejoice in his being welcomed to glory." . . .
July 1, 2023
It’s Not About How Much Faith You Have
By Jerry Harris When I came to The Crossing in Quincy, Illinois, 25 years ago, I fashioned a mission statement of helping people find “an intimate personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” The thought that a real relationship with Jesus was even possible was a game changer for many in our church and community, and it shaped our impact on the world around us. If I understand that the “what” of my faith is defined in my relationship to Jesus, and if a relationship is what I want, then the next logical step is the “how.” I think the “how” of
July 1, 2023
What the Restoration Movement Should Learn from Bud Light
By Jerry Harris Earlier this year, it seemed the whole country was caught up in the cancellation of Bud Light, America’s best-selling beer. The turmoil resulted from a promotion that connected the brand to Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender TikTok influencer; Bud Light sent personalized beer cans to Mulvaney celebrating both March Madness and Mulvaney’s yearlong transition to identify as a woman. Mulvaney’s videos on social media triggered a backlash that caused many Bud Light beer drinkers to reject the iconic brand. In just a few weeks, Anheuser-Busch lost $5 billion in market value, 17 percent in sales, and 21 percent
May 1, 2023
The Need for Unity
By Jerry Harris Unity is central to the biblical message. Something special rises up when people from different circles get to know each other by learning, sharing, playing, and worshiping together. Sociologists call it “emergence.” It’s when a group becomes more than the sum of its parts. The Holy Spirit works in that unity, that oneness. We are called to be one. The church is the hope of the world, and we can do far more together than we can apart. God has repeatedly shown us how unity can empower us to accomplish things that seemingly are impossible for individuals.
May 1, 2023
A Movement Away from Denominationalism: What’s It Mean for Us?
By Ben Cachiaras When asked about the key to his success, Dick Clark, of American Bandstand fame, replied, “I don’t set trends. I just find out what they are and exploit them.” Worrying about trends can get you into trouble. So can ignoring them. At the least, it seems wise for church leaders to strive to be like the men of Issachar “who understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles 12:32). In this spirit, I was asked to consider how we might understand and respond to the rising trends noted in “A ‘Postdenominational’ Era: Inside the
