March 1, 2024
Traders Point Christian Church: 190 Years of Kingdom-Centered Service
Many people assume TPCC is younger than it really is . . .
Articles for tag: John Stott
Authentic Preaching
By Chris Philbeck In a scene from Walk the Line, a 2005 biographical movie on the life of Johnny Cash, Johnny and his band are in a studio with music executive Sam Phillips. The musicians are auditioning a gospel tune, but they are performing with little emotion or conviction. Finally, Phillips interrupts: “Hold on. Hold on. . . . Do you guys got something else?” After some interesting dialogue where the angry singer says Phillips is accusing him of not believing in God, Cash finally protests, “Well, you didn’t let us bring it home.” “Bring it home?” Phillips asks in
August 14, 2017
Lesson for August 20, 2017: Called to Preach (Acts 9:1-31)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the August 13, 2017, issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott The opening line in John R.W. Stott”s book Between Two Worlds: The Art of Preaching in the Twentieth Century is, “Preaching is indispensable to Christianity.” The apostle Paul argues for that truth in Romans 10:14-17 and 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. More specifically it is the message preached that is indispensable. But how can one hear the
December 14, 2016
God Understands
By Jim Tune A friend of mine has a daughter who struggles with an eating disorder. His friends are sympathetic, but found it hard to understand. One day he attended a support group for fathers of children with eating disorders. I”m not alone anymore, he thought. These people know what I”m going through. They didn”t have to say a word. He felt understood and validated. If you”ve ever gone through a hard time””and I know you have””then you know how helpful it is to find others who have been through the same thing. God, of course, is not like us.
December 27, 2015
Advice for Actors . . . and Preachers
By Al Serhal Years ago I saw an old interview with legendary actor James Cagney. He was asked his best advice for aspiring young actors. His answer really stuck with me. He said, “Learn your lines . . . plant your feet . . . look the other actor in the eye . . . say the words . . . mean them.” Cagney”s advice for actors is actually good advice for preachers, too! Learn your lines. Know your message! Read through it and preach it aloud several times before actually bringing it to the pulpit on Sunday. Some have
Chuck Sackett’s Thought Leaders
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 Chuck Sackett, preaching minister with Madison Park Christian Church, Quincy, Illinois. ________ Slavic Prochavska was a preacher in Prague, Czech Republic, who died a few years ago. I first met Slavic on the platform at the train station in Praha (Prague). Slavic was a leader in the days when Communist leaders punished him for being a preacher by withholding his asthma
January 9, 2015
A Healthy Church Helps Make a Healthy Community
The gospel’s purpose is restoration—and churches can reflect that future by confronting local bad news with good news solutions. From serving schools to true mission “with” neighbors, this article urges generosity without an agenda.
December 10, 2012
Lesson for December 16, 2012: Part of One Body in Christ (Ephesians 4:1-16)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone When we become discouraged in today”s hostile religious environment, it helps to remember what it was like for the first-century Christians back when the church began. In pagan Ephesus, few people knew anything about Jesus Christ, even less about who or what a “Christian” was. There of all places, it was important for members of the church to stand together as one, representing their Lord to the world. Called to Unity Ephesians 4:1-6 Paul challenged
How Long Should a Sermon Be?
By Mark A. Taylor The question came to me when I discovered Peggy Noonan”s On Speaking Well at a $5 book table. The very first piece of advice from the most famous of President Ronald Reagan”s spreechwriters? “No speech should last more than 20 minutes.” I remember all the sermons I”ve heard””and delivered””that have been way longer than that. And I wonder if Noonan”s advice should apply to sermons too. Her rationale: Reagan . . . knew twenty minutes is more than enough time to say the biggest, most important thing in the world. The Gettysburg Address went three
December 29, 2011
I Have a Family
By Jim Tune My father died just a few months ago. It hasn”t been easy, and I feel the loss keenly. His death has prompted a desire to know more about my dad, his extended family, and his heritage. As a godly father and a devoted worker for Christ, he has also marked me with a legacy””one I intend to celebrate, embrace, and pass on. No one would expect any less. The Family I Chose From a faith perspective, I also have a family. I didn”t join it as the result of a father”s will or by accident. I
Eternal Suffering or Eternal Destruction?
By Stanley J. Grenz The traditional teaching of the church””that the lost will suffer unending conscious torment in Hell””has repeatedly been challenged by “universalists” since the third century. They believe that in the end, all will be saved. After the Reformation, a third viewpoint, annihilationism, emerged as a minority position. The doctrine of annihilationism appeared in the 1660 confession of the General Baptists, and among the Seventh-day Adventists and several other Evangelical groups in the 19th century. Since 1960, several prominent British Evangelicals, as well as Canadian theologian Clark Pinnock, have embraced this view. John Stott has likewise expressed sympathy
October 27, 2010
Read a Book!
By Matt Proctor I love books. As a kid, I read everything””westerns, science fiction, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and J.R.R. Tolkien. Most kids think Disneyland is “the happiest place on earth,” but for me it was the public library. I was such a bookworm that, when I got in trouble at home, my parents would ground me . . . from reading! It wasn”t until I enrolled at Ozark Christian College that I discovered reading books could actually be a spiritual discipline. Growing up, books were entertainment””a way to feed my imagination, but I had never considered that the right books
What Is a Sermon? A Survey of Scripture . . .
By Mark Scott A preacher mounted the pulpit and began, “I have so much to say, where should I begin?” A young boy from the back said, “How about somewhere toward the end?” Most churchgoers like sermons, especially “toward the end.” Defining the Word What is a sermon? That depends on whom you ask. John Stott said it is a bridge from the biblical world to the modern world. Fred Craddock said it is a short interpretative story. Haddon Robinson said it is a big idea extrapolated from a text. Bryan Chapell said it is Christ addressing our fallen condition.
September 6, 2009
Why Plant Churches?
 by Tom Jones Recently, I”ve been thinking quite a bit about my home church. I have a special place in my heart for that little church, located on the corner of Penn and Neville streets, in Follansbee, West Virginia. Do you know what a sure sign of a home church is? It”s when you are 49 years old and the good folks still call you “Tommy Jones.” I have so many fond memories of my home church, like when I was 11 years old and stole Communion grape juice from the church refrigerator with my best friend Randy Weaver.
January 4, 2009
Life for the Average Christian
Doug Priest reflects on the changing face of global Christianity and argues that mission includes evangelism, justice, environmental stewardship, and care for the poor.
December 31, 2006
Looking for Church Leaders
Jesus chose imperfect people and shaped them into leaders. This article explores the qualities he modeled and sought—humble service, compassion, discernment, prayer, action, delegation, and courage—for leaders serving the local church today.
August 13, 2006
My Epiphany
A chance encounter with a northern bobwhite reignites a forgotten hobby—and opens a doorway to seeing God through creation. Doug Priest reflects on bird-watching, Scripture, and Christian stewardship of the environment.
