November 21, 2014
Mike Schrage, president of the 2016 International Conference on Missions to be held in Lexington, Kentucky, talked about the work of Good News Productions, the impact through the decades of the missionary conference, and his plans for 2016. See the video interview with Editor Mark Taylor, from the exhibit floor of the 2014 ICOM, here.
July 16, 2014
By Wayne B. Smith (From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I”ve Ever Received.”) I was saved at 10 years of age in a revival at the Church of Christ in Delhi, in western Cincinnati, Ohio. Two years later an elder asked if I would like to attend Northward Christian Assembly, a Christian church camp, near Williamstown, Kentucky. It was a life-changing experience. On Friday night, after a moving message at vespers, an invitation was extended for anyone willing to accept the challenge of specialized Christian service. I responded, with the understanding that someday I would be a preacher.Â
July 11, 2014
By Dave Stone (From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I’ve Ever Received.”) The best advice I ever received was this: “The best way to be a good father is to be a good husband.” It was given to me by Chuck Lee, a former staff member, who shared it with me soon after the birth of our first child. Dave Stone serves as senior pastor with Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky.
June 2, 2013
By Jennifer Johnson In 2005, the leadership team at Southland Christian Church, Lexington, Kentucky, read The Externally Focused Church and believed God was calling them to more intentionally move their ministry into the community. The church began hiring new staff, starting new initiatives, and beginning the long-term process of changing the church culture. Since then, in many places missional has become a buzzword for everything from the occasional community service day to a total rethinking of the church”s purpose. At Southland, however, the mission is clear; over the last eight years it has developed significant goals, determined specific geographic and
January 2, 2013
By Jennifer Johnson In April 2011, Alabama was hit by more than 170 tornados””one of the largest outbreaks of tornadic storms in the area”s history. Although Huntsville (AL) Christian Church“s building wasn”t affected, its community was. “People went without power for weeks, and we used part of our building as a huge food pantry,” says associate minister Andrew Ellingwood. “We get tornadoes every year, and people always pull together. But this was so big we all needed help. Churches across the country sent food and water, and mission teams visited to participate in the cleanup efforts. Every week there was
March 8, 2012
International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES) is working with churches around the country to help victims of last week”s tornadoes. “We are encouraging Christian churches and churches of Christ to hold a moment of prayer this coming Sunday to pray for the victims and the volunteers and to take up a love offering for IDES,” the ministry shares. Make donations online or mail checks/money orders marked “U.S. Disasters” to P.O. Box 60, Kempton, IN 46049-0060. In southern Indiana, IDES will be setting up a base camp to help with disaster relief. Although it does not yet know if it will be
April 28, 2011
By Kent E. Fillinger When Don Hill started a new church in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, he wanted it to appeal to ordinary people. Hill wanted people to remember that before Jesus was the Messiah, he was an ordinary carpenter. This concept was reflected in the new church”s name””The Carpenter”s Christian Church. Carpenter”s began with a core group of 30 people and held its first worship service in the show barn at Anderson Circle Farms in March 1999. In its early days, the church met in rented facilities throughout Mercer County. In August 2003, when Greg Warren became the church”s second senior
April 7, 2011
Our annual megachurch chart is one of CHRISTIAN STANDARD”s most popular features. This year there are more than 100 churches listed as megachurches (those with 2,000 or more in weekly attendance) or emerging megachurches (those with average attendance of 1,000 to 1,999). Click here to look at the chart of the 2010 Megachurches and Emerging Megachuches.
March 10, 2011
By Jennifer Taylor This past weekend Bob Russell, previous senior minister at Southeast Christian Church (Louisville, KY), shared the pulpit with Dave Stone, the current senior minister. Stone invited Russell to preach with him so he could surprise and honor him midservice by sharing a letter from the bank. “Because of God”s provision and your prudent leadership,” Stone said, “and because of the overwhelming generosity of these good people at all three campuses, every inch of land and buildings on over 100 acres at the Blankenbaker campus has been paid in full.” After burning the note, Stone also shared that
March 24, 2010
By Mark A. Taylor “What”s not to like when you see the values expressed in Restoration Revolution?” Ben Cachiaras asked the rhetorical question in a February presentation to Cincinnati ministers. Most rhetorical questions go unanswered, but this one deserves a response. My reaction is twofold. First: All of us can agree with the lofty visions cast by those promoting Restoration Revolution, a 10-year project that kicks off at this year”s National Missionary Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, November 18-21. The goals are contained in an easily remembered acrostic: Almighty is an invitation to prayer. Restoration Revolution challenges Christian churches around the world to
February 15, 2009
By LeRoy Lawson Wendell Berry, The Way of Ignorance and Other Essays (Shoemaker and Hoard, 2005). Sometimes when life gets too complicated you just need to sit a spell with somebody who doesn”t need to keep up, who looks askance at modern society”s frenetic pace and, drawing a grateful breath of unpolluted air, simply can”t be bothered trying to be cool. That someone is Wendell Berry. This Kentucky gentleman farmer/poet/philosopher and author of more than 30 books is a hayseed”s hayseed. His fictional Port William, Kentucky, like William Faulkner”s fictional Yoknapatawpha County and Garrison Keillor”s fictional Lake Wobegon, reminds me
April 13, 2008
Baptisms reveal whether churches are reaching the lost or just shifting believers. This article examines megachurch baptism ratios, giving-per-baptism figures, and why retaining new disciples matters for long-term growth.
Cincinnati Christian University senior Justin Bilyeu explains his call from pre-med plans to ministry, what Bible college has taught him, and why experience in preaching and internships matters for future leaders.
March 25, 2007
Bob Russell explains how churches can preach on stewardship without sounding self-serving. Learn why timing matters, why total stewardship beats fundraising, and how mission-focused motivation can grow generosity.
September 3, 2006
A successful attorney senses God calling him to become a pastor and start a church. After a mission trip to Ghana and practical ministry training, Adventure Christian Church grows from a living room gathering to a thriving congregation in Louisville.
July 23, 2006
As a single father in ministry, Kevin Jett recounts divorce, a prayer for peace, and God opening doors to preach again. He also shares how his daughter Kasey became a vital part of pastoral care and servanthood.
March 19, 2006
After 35+ years in local ministry, Phil LeMaster surveys how busyness, shifting church “brand” loyalty, worship changes, staffing growth, and bigger facilities have reshaped preaching—while reminding us people still need Jesus.
November 30, 2005
A lighthearted guide to pronouncing Louisville like a local, plus a tour of the city’s arts, museums, riverfront landmarks, sports, family attractions, and a few memorable claims to fame.
August 17, 2005
Mark A. Taylor reflects on low attendance at this year’s NACC regional conferences, arguing regionalization weakened connection and “all or nothing” registration discouraged partial attendance—raising fresh questions about the value of a national gathering.
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