Articles for tag: Kansas City

February 1, 2021

Justin Horey

‘My Story Is for God’s Glory’

After living a life as a criminal and prisoner, David Green has experienced—and now makes known a message of—redemption and reconciliation. In the early morning hours of Easter 1978, just after midnight, a group of adolescent boys entered a 24-hour convenience store in New Orleans’ notorious Ninth Ward, intending to steal alcohol. During the attempted robbery, shots were fired and the clerk on duty behind the counter was mortally wounded. All of the boys managed to flee the scene except one, a 15-year-old known to his cohorts as “Red.” As he tried to escape, a paying customer tripped him and

December 1, 2020

Christian Standard

Raders Persevere in Planting NYC Church During Pandemic

By Jim Nieman The launch of Reunion Church in the heart of New York City hasn’t gone off exactly as planned this year . . . but few things in life have escaped the far-reaching impact of COVID-19.   “There’s no book on how to do what we are doing,” says Russel Rader, who is launching Reunion in the Union Square neighborhood with his wife, Katie, and the help of a core launch team, Orchard Group, and churches from across the country. “On Wednesday, March 11th, our community had an amazing evening of hospitality in our home with a group

December 18, 2019

Christian Standard

ICOM Reports on 2019 Gathering, Makes Plans for 2020 (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon The International Conference On Missions shared some statistics from last month’s gathering in Kansas City, Mo., even as it makes plans for its next annual get-together in Indianapolis Nov. 19-22, 2020. The total attendance of about 8,500 during the Nov. 14-17 Kansas City gathering was on track with ICOM events of the recent past, while the Student ICOM—or SICOM—remained strong with 575 attending. There were 47 colleges and universities represented, along with 42 public decisions to enter missionary service. ICOM set records for its biggest KidZone attendance (585), total number of exhibitors (356),

July 22, 2019

Christian Standard

Let’s Revitalize Our Urban Churches!

By Michael Bowling I have a confession. I have served two inner-city congregations for a total of 35 years, yet I am no fan of urban ministry. Here’s why. The greatest challenges to healthy church communities that are dynamic witnesses to the redemptive way of Jesus have little to do with urban-specific techniques or new resources. Our challenges in urban, suburban, and rural contexts are the same: faithfulness to biblical discipleship, a theology of the church (ecclesiology) informed by the New Testament pattern, and a God-sized view of salvation. An overemphasis on new and innovative practices of “urban ministry” is

January 29, 2019

Christian Standard

How Is ICOM Making a Lasting Impact on the Church?

By Emily Drayne Youth conferences, weeks of camp, training conferences for adults, and mission trips are all mountaintop experiences. Participants come home refreshed, revitalized, and more passionate about the things they spent time focusing on. But life inevitably slows down, the daily humdrum returns, and the fire inside begins to flicker. There is at least one Great Commission-focused event, however, from which there seems to be no post-event letdown: the International Conference On Missions. What makes ICOM different? I’m convinced it’s the on-fire vibe that permeates the conference. People attend ICOM to do something: win the world for Christ, find

August 27, 2017

Jerry Harris

The NACC: Identity, Inspiration, and Ideas

By Jerry Harris Three words describe the core of the mission of the North American Christian Convention: identity, inspiration, and ideas. The convention has been crucial to the unity and vibrancy of the independent Christian church since its inception in 1927. The 2017 NACC in Kansas City, Missouri, June 27-29, was the first time I was tasked with setting up and manning a booth instead of just attending the NACC as a pastor of a local church. Even before the convention started, I was surrounded by many people critical to our fellowship. Identity As my wife and I checked in

April 13, 2017

Christian Standard

My Riskiest Move for God: Kansas? You Want Us to Go to Kansas?

Five Christian leaders tell what God did when they took a surprising step of faith. By Laurie Montague As I sat on the front row ready to take my place as the keynote speaker for the women”s retreat, the director concluded her introduction with these words, “And now, here”s our fearless leader.” Of all the things that could be said of me! I would never describe myself as a “fearless leader.” In fact, at several points in my life, a more accurate description would have included the words “scared silly!” Yet, like many others, I”ve learned that making risky moves for

March 14, 2017

Mark A. Taylor

My Retirement Plan

By Mark A. Taylor Yesterday”s announcement of Jerry Harris as the new publisher for Christian Standard Media includes news of my retirement. I”d like to use my space this week to add a little background. I told Standard Publishing management about 20 months ago, in July of 2015, that I planned to retire after the North American Christian Convention in Anaheim in 2016. But when most of Standard Publishing (but not the magazines) was sold to David C. Cook in December 2015, I changed my plan. We assumed that some new owner would also eventually acquire CHRISTIAN STANDARD and The

February 6, 2017

Christian Standard

Come to the (After) Party!

By Chris Moon Something new! Something free! Something fun! It’s for EVERYONE! It was like a banana split without the whipped cream. Or hot chocolate without the marshmallows. Or a Thanksgiving Day meal without the pumpkin pie. Something was missing. That was the thinking among the leadership of the North American Christian Convention following the final night of programming at the 2016 convention in Anaheim, California. Everything went so well. Bob Goff was the keynote speaker. The Christian rock band For King & Country put on a concert. The atmosphere was electric. “People were just up in the clouds””excited,” says

February 5, 2017

Christian Standard

10 Reasons Why Everyone Will Love Kansas City This Summer!

By Greg Montague 10. KC Streetcar. This fun new travel option ferries people between downtown restaurants, art galleries, and shopping areas””for FREE! http://kcstreetcar.org 9. The Power & Light District. Folks can dine in style or on a budget at dozens of restaurants within three blocks of the convention center. www.powerandlightdistrict.com 8. BBQ. Kansas City is known for some of the finest barbecue in America! My personal favorite? Jack Stack Barbecue, just south of the convention center in the Freight House District. www.jackstackbbq.com 7. The College Basketball Experience and National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Sports fans will LOVE this tribute

January 27, 2017

Christian Standard

How Residencies Prepare Emerging Church Leaders

By Dave Ferguson and Warren Bird How and why residencies have become standard operating practice for all of NewThing”s new church planters. When you think about a residency program, you might envision doctors in training, honing their craft under the tutelage of seasoned physicians. For NewThing (www.newthing.org, an international church-planting network birthed out of the Chicago-based Community Christian Church, www.communitychristian.org), a 9- to 12-month residency is required for any emerging leader who wants to start a church in NewThing”s network. It”s standard operating procedure for all of their new church planters. “For us, residency is the chute before you launch

August 9, 2014

Christian Standard

The Elder Serves the Younger

By Teresa Schantz Williams Robert Stanfill is a slight, unassuming man with a weak heart that doctors thought would have failed him years ago. So he was as surprised as anyone to find himself launching a ministry to international college students.  Robert Stanfill and his wife, Linda, both in their 60s, had no special aptitude for work with college students from distant lands. No cross-cultural experience. And though Avila University”s campus was just a mile from their south Kansas City home, college students weren”t exactly their “crowd.” They were veteran Christians, faithful members of the Red Bridge Church of Christ,

January 3, 2014

Christian Standard

Less Is More: A Suburban Mom Resists Consumer Culture to Increase Her Generosity

By Janet McMahon “I”ve been thinking we should give away our Yukon.” My husband spoke these words early on a Saturday morning. My heart sank and soared at the same time. We had been driving that GMC Yukon for the last eight years. I loved that Yukon, but the truth is, we no longer needed a vehicle that big. With two of our three kids grown and mostly out of the house, we rarely needed a vehicle that could transport all five of us at the same time. Sell it, yes, but give it away, now that was an idea

August 15, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Aug. 21, 2011: Empowering the Needy (Ruth 2:8-18)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for August 21) is written by Janet McMahon, community life director with Restore Community Church, Kansas City, Missouri. ____________ Empowering the Needy (Ruth 2:8-18) By Janet McMahon It started with this challenge from my friend John: “Why don”t you do something for someone who can never repay you?” Wow, that was a challenge for sure. Serving my friends and family was easy and natural for me most of the time””and often they would serve me in return. But finding someone who could never repay me was something new. Shortly after that

October 12, 2008

Christian Standard

Helping People Find Their Way Back to God in Kansas City

By Troy McMahon I was sitting on a park bench at Ozark Christian College, next to the young woman who would soon become my bride, when I made the decision. I was going to live a life without regrets.  I had just attended the National Youth Leaders Conference where I heard Tony Campolo speak. He shared some statistics about people in their 90s. When asked what they would do differently in their lives if they had to do it all over again, three themes emerged. First, they would take more risks; second, they would reflect more; and third, they would

September 23, 2007

Christian Standard

NACC: Timely, Memorable, and Helpful

By Allan Dunbar, NACC Executive Director Our flight into Kansas City was late again. But the North American Christian Convention events all during that first week in July were both on time and timely. The “It”s Time” theme permeated every moment of this annual gathering. The NACC staff works all year to meet deadlines . . . and they met all of them. About 800 volunteers from area churches showed up on time for their assignments . . . and did such a great job. Workshops started on time . . . and were extremely well attended. Worship services started

September 19, 2007

Christian Standard

Interview with Troy McMahon

By Brad Dupray Troy McMahon has taken the nontraditional route to becoming a church planter. After a stint as a technical manager in the Navy, and then as a manufacturing manager for General Mills, Troy joined the staff of Community Christian Church outside of Chicago. Having served in several roles on that church staff since 1996, he is now facing his biggest challenge as he and his family move to Kansas City to launch a new church. Troy and his wife, Janet, have been married for 20 years and are blessed with three children, Jacob (16), Mitchell (13), and Judiann

August 8, 2007

Christian Standard

NACC: Blessings and Disappointments

By Mark A. Taylor Maybe it”s the hugs I remember most: grown men on city streets embracing as though they were at a family reunion. Which, of course, is exactly what we call the North American Christian Convention. It”s the connecting place, according to NACC publicity, and for many the meetings outside main sessions are the most important part of the week. It was true this year, July 3-6 in Kansas City, as much as any other. But the week was about far more than just fellowship. This year”s convention lifted up the need for church planting and promised a

June 13, 2007

Christian Standard

Connecting with You in Kansas City

By Mark A. Taylor The North American Christian Convention meets in Kansas City in just a couple of weeks. Standard Publishing is pleased to help sponsor this one-of-a-kind connecting place””it”s a unique opportunity to fellowship with Christians from around the world and share with them in a week of inspiration, worship, and learning. It”s not too late for you to make your plans to attend at least a day of the convention, July 3-6. Get all the information you need at www.nacctheconnectingplace.org. Meanwhile, we want to tell you about some special events and experiences Standard Publishing is hosting. We hope

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