November 2, 2019
Children’s Ministry Curriculum Chart
This chart accompanies Kelly Carr’s “Children’s Ministry Curriculum Decisions” article in our December 2019 issue.
Articles for tag: Kelly Carr
November 2, 2019
Children’s Ministry Curriculum Decisions
Our Recent Survey Reveals What Christian Churches Are Using Today to Teach Our Children . . . and How They Are Adapting Them By Kelly Carr Caring for the youngest in our churches is no small feat. There are many moving parts to manage: volunteers, lesson plans, parent communication, volunteers, safety strategies, worship services, volunteers, engaging activities, biblical instruction. And did we mention volunteers? To equip those volunteers and provide for your young churchgoers, you need the right curriculum. Yet finding resources for your children’s ministry can be a series of trial and error decisions as you seek the most
August 22, 2019
SPOTLIGHT: Christ’s Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.
By Kelly Carr Christ’s Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a congregation built on rebirth. “Our motto is, ‘It’s OK not to be OK,’” said Jason Kemerly, lead pastor. “Jesus comes to all who are broken and weary, and we’re all broken. But we tell people Jesus doesn’t want you to stay that way. He wants you to find healing and hope.” Every week, Kemerly and his ministry team challenge people to take the next step in their faith. For many, that next step is baptism. Christ’s Church has seen 40 to 45 baptisms per year during the last four
Restoration House Ministries: A Light in Dark Places (New England)
By Kelly Carr “We cannot ignore going to where the people are.” That is Eric Lee’s succinct summation of the current urban church-planting focus of Restoration House Ministries in New England, where he is executive director. A focus on urban areas was not a stated goal when RHM started, Lee notes. When former executive director Dan Clymer founded RHM in 1996, the aim was simply to plant where there was a dearth of churches. It’s estimated that only 5 percent of the just under 15 million people living in the six states that comprise New England—Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts,
June 22, 2019
SPOTLIGHT: Jessamine Christian Church, Nicholasville, Kentucky
Baptism Is Only the Beginning By Kelly Carr Kentucky native Lee Faust stepped into a beautiful ministry this year. He heard that Jessamine Christian Church would need a new lead pastor when Wally Rendel retired, and when he visited JCC, he discovered a body of believers filled with history and maturity who wanted to reach out, disciple new believers, and draw people into deeper relationships. That lined up perfectly with Faust’s passions and experience. He started with the church in March. “My 2019 goal has been to learn the heart of the people and let all ages know I am
Kendall Grace Kemerly: Founder, Kendi’s Cows of Grace
This teenager who started a nonprofit ministry at age 8 continues to make a difference in the world By Kelly Carr “God’s teaching me that we’re not promised tomorrow, so we have to put forth our best today, every single chance we get. I need to listen to him and follow through what I’m being called to do, no matter what.” These wise words come from Kendall Grace Kemerly, who has been following the Lord in ministry since she first dreamed of making a difference at age 8. Now 16, she has spent 8 years overseeing Kendi’s Cows of Grace,
November 9, 2018
The Silent Struggle of Suburban Poverty
By Kelly Carr Grocery shopping can be a tedious task rather than a joyous undertaking—but stepping through this market’s doors in Parker, Colorado, you are immediately welcomed with encouraging smiles. A personal shopping assistant steps forward to guide you among the shelves packed to the ceiling with delicious options. Turning the corner, the refrigerated section has dairy, eggs, and every cut of meat you could want. The most colorful moment comes when you reach the back aisle—there before you lies a rainbow of beautiful, mouth-watering produce. It sounds like a typical visit to Whole Foods or a local farmer’s market—a
September 29, 2018
No Small Measure
The statistics from four small-town churches stood out in our 2017 Christian Standard survey. But numbers never tell the whole story. What were the real reasons for their growth in baptisms, attendance, and giving? By Kelly Carr “Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes—how do you measure, measure a year?” These are lyrics from “Seasons of Love,” a song from the Broadway show Rent. Church leaders may find themselves asking the same question when they reflect back on a year of ministry at their church: How do you measure a year or season of ministry? You often measure ministry
SPOTLIGHT: Real Life Church, Sheridan, Wyoming
Three-year-old church in least populated state overcomes obstacles. By Kelly Carr After a decade as associate pastor with North Point Christian Church in Spearfish, South Dakota, Ryan Charest was inspired to become the lead planter at Real Life Church in Sheridan, Wyoming, the newest church plant of the Northern Plains Evangelistic Association (see “Planting Churches in ‘Flyover Country”). “I kept reading and researching . . . understanding what we did right and wrong and what we could do differently,” Charest said. “God worked in me to prepare me to have the desire to try and do it again.” Real
Planting Churches in ‘Flyover Country’
By Kelly Carr You take in the gorgeous sights—calming lake waters surrounded by verdant fields and purple mountain majesty. After a few minutes of awe, you pull down the window shade, sit back, and sleep the rest of your flight. Ah yes, many of us have experienced some of God’s greatest wonders from a bird’s-eye view only. The nickname “flyover country” came out of the camaraderie of folks who felt their heartland was overlooked by those who focused only on the coasts. But, if we’re being honest, when it comes to Restoration Movement congregations, have we adopted a similar attitude?
February 9, 2018
Ben & Pat Merold: Still Having Fun After 68 Years
By Kelly Carr Ben and Pat Merold—most folks seldom say one of their names without the other, and that’s just fine with them. When they talk, you hear their love for one another, the joy they feel together, and the immense pride they have about the other’s ministry. One could easily declare that Ben and Pat Merold are who we all hope to be when we grow up! Ben and Pat share their story of a lifelong love for serving the Lord and for each other. Jumping into Ministry The year was 1948. Pat, a freshman at Johnson
November 22, 2017
The Night Before Christmas
By Kelly Carr “Twas the night before Christmas, when all through church houses, every creature was stirring, all the staff and some spouses. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, but peek inside the church building””you”ll find everyone there. While others are restful, sugar-plums in their heads, on Christmas Eve church leaders are busy instead. Ministers across the country confirm what you already know: Christmas Eve is one of the best attended services of the year. Large and small congregations, suburban, rural, and city locations all welcome folks who rarely darken the doorway of a church building other
August 10, 2017
Rejuvenate Your Ministry
By Kelly Carr I was in the throes of my job editing The Lookout. The weekly nonstop pace provided a rhythm to my work, yet by the spring of 2016, two and a half years in, my freshness was waning””I just hadn”t realized it yet. Around that time, I was invited to attend the Catalyst leadership conference and interview some of the featured speakers for The Lookout. Although I intended solely to mine material for the magazine, I unexpectedly unearthed something from the sessions””rejuvenation in my own leadership. GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES After my positive experience last year, I recently attended Catalyst
March 14, 2017
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
New Owners for Christian Standard Media
Parker, Colorado February 13, 2017 The Solomon Foundation (TSF), a church extension fund serving the Christian churches and churches of Christ with headquarters in Parker, Colorado, has acquired Christian Standard Media, according to TSF chief executive officer Doug Crozier. Christian Standard Media consists of The Lookout and Christian Standard magazines. “Christian Standard and The Lookout, so important to the Christian churches and churches of Christ for 15 decades, are now residing where they belong,” Crozier said, “with a ministry also committed to the congregations in this fellowship.” “We’re delighted by this opportunity to grow in our service to the churches,”
July 24, 2016
An Interview with Jeff Vines
Jeff Vines explains to Kelly Carr, editor of The Lookout, why church leaders must focus more on apologetics and why he believes all evangelism must be one-on-one. See this interview, from the 2016 NACC in Anaheim, here.
July 20, 2016
An Interview with Christine Caine
Kelly Carr, editor of The Lookout, talked with Christine Caine at the 2016 North American Christian Convention about how shame drives many leaders and how individual Christians can make a difference with the big problems in our world today. See the exclusive interview here. For more information about Christine Caine”s ministry, go to http://christinecaine.com.
July 16, 2015
A Conversation with J.K. Jones
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.
July 14, 2015
A Conversation with Jodi Hickerson
Jodi Hickerson, programming director with Mission Church in Ventura, California, talks about her journey and how God has opened doors for her to serve his church. See the exclusive interview with Lookout Editor Kelly Carr here.
July 2, 2015
A Conversation with Mike Baker
North American Christian Convention President Mike Baker interrupted his duties to speak with The Lookout Editor Kelly Carr about his 20-year ministry at Eastview Christian Church and how his perspective on the Restoration Movement has broadened.
