Think Outward
Every church will tell you they have an outward focus because they know that's Jesus' Great Commission, but the truth is that many are not.
Articles for tag: LeRoy Lawson
January 1, 2026
Succession: The Things You Need to Know but Others Won’t Tell You
We need to start thinking and planning for succession earlier rather than later, knowing that the stakes are high, the process takes time, and that we are following a biblical mandate.
January 1, 2026
Retirement, Ministry, and Learning to Let Go: A Pastor’s Wife’s Perspective
Retirement doesn’t mean ministry is over. It just means it looks different. The way we influence and serve may change, but God still uses us.
January 1, 2026
Bridging the Leadership Gap: Essential Steps for Church Succession
Elders and pastors need to intentionally work to identify and develop future pastors and leaders, viewing this as both a calling and a priority.
January 1, 2026
Serving in the Shadows
If your main motivation is to please other people, and your self-worth depends on others’ approval, you will be frustrated and disappointed.
January 1, 2026
Pastoral Transition: Succession or Interim?
When done with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, succession and an intentional interim create the smoothest path to pastoral transition.
November 6, 2025
Love’s Persuasive Power
Love has persuasive power. Compassion makes our arguments more convincing, but without love, our arguments sound hollow.
July 1, 2024
A Time for Hope: A Bright Future for the Restoration Movement
In my old age, a question persists: Is there hope for the Restoration Movement? . . . Over the decades my answer hasn’t changed much. It is yes. And no.
THROWBACK THURSDAY—’The Restoration Movement: Its Vitality, Quirks, and Needs in the 21st Century’ (2006)
The Restoration Movement is "not liberal, not really evangelical, not fundamentalist—as a group we are generally conservative, but not consistently so," LeRoy Lawson wrote in 2006. "In fact, critics could accuse us of not being consistently anything" . . .
March 8, 2024
About Suicide: I’m Still Learning from My Son’s
LeRoy Lawson writes that his book about his son's suicide "contains both sides of a conversation three decades long; [Lane] talks first in his final communication to us. Then I answer him. He writes with confidence, at peace with his decision and comfortable with his reasons for it. I am not so sure of myself, either as father or as minister . . ."
March 29, 2023
News Briefs for March 29
News briefs about Boise Bible College's Spring Conference (May 11-12), Northwest Christian Network's women's retreat (April 14-15), Pressing On: A Conference of Encouragement for Ministries and Missionaries (May 9-11), the Women's Spring Celebration at Great Lakes Christian College (April 28), and more . . .
March 8, 2023
SCJ Conference Set for April 14-15 (Plus News Briefs)
This year's Stone-Campbell Journal Conference is set for April 14-15 at Johnson University in Knoxville, Tenn. (Register in the next week for the lowest rates.) Also briefs from Team Expansion, Ozark Christian College, Central Christian College of the Bible, First Christian Church (Columbus, Ind.) and more.
January 17, 2023
‘Pressing On’ Conference Planned for ‘Seasoned’ Ministers, Missionaries
Kairos Benevolence Fund and International Conference on Missions are combining to “jointly power” Pressing On: A Conference of Encouragement for Ministers and Missionaries, set for May 9 to 11. The conference's goal is to encourage ministers to do what Paul describes in Philippians . . . “press on.”
News Briefs for April 6
Briefs from Seymour Heights Christian Church in Seymour, Tenn., Northwest Christian Network, Compass Christian Church in Chandler, Ariz., Calvary Christian Church in Swartz Creek, Mich., and more . . .
January 19, 2022
Sun & Sands: Minister Glad He Answered Call to Serve in Hawaii
When Bryan Sands answered the call to serve with Kaimuki Christian Church in Hawaii, he was following two ministers who served a combined 57 years. Sands hasn't regretted the move . . .
January 1, 2022
Looking Back: How Christian Colleges Have Responded to the Need for Preachers Over the Past Century
Fifty years ago, most pulpit ministers in Christian churches and churches of Christ were products of our Restoration Movement colleges. It had been that way for some time, and it likely remains that way today . . . though probably to a lesser extent. [See related article, “The Ministry Pipeline,” by Chris Moon] A survey of pertinent articles appearing in Christian Standard between 1969 and 1974 and a review of James B. North’s Restoration Movement history book, Union In Truth, indicate that most of the colleges producing ministers for Christian churches and churches of Christ were started in the 1920s
October 28, 2020
OCC’s Mark Scott Planning Transition to Church Ministry (Plus News Briefs)
By Jim Nieman Mark Scott, longtime professor of preaching and New Testament with Ozark Christian College, has announced he will conclude his full-time service with the school on May 31, 2021, so he can focus on ministry with Park Plaza Christian Church in Joplin, Mo. In a memo to Ozark faculty and staff, Scott wrote, “I cannot put in words or quantify what it has meant for us to serve at OCC. When you cut us, we bleed OCC blue. How can I thank you for the privilege of serving with you for these 35 years? Thank you, OCC, for giving
Who Will Fill Their Shoes?
By Jeff Green His size 9½, wingtip leather shoes sit in a glass case in the library named for him. L. Palmer Young, the third president of Kentucky Christian University, was a preacher first. He followed in his dad’s footsteps, preaching for more than 69 years. The shoes serve as a reminder of the need for more preachers. Wally Rendel, who preached Palmer’s funeral, asked, “Who’s going to fill his shoes?” Where will the next generation of preachers come from? The Situation The church has constantly been challenged to find replacements in vocational ministry, especially in preaching. A forensic expert
May 19, 2019
What Are You Doing Now?
Compiled by Mark A. Taylor _ _ _ Alan Ahlgrim Retired: Founding pastor with Rocky Mountain Christian Church, Niwot, Colorado, March 2013 What are you doing now? Continues to encourage and mentor church leaders. Director of Covenant Groups with the Center for Church Leadership. Thoughts on retirement: âThe best is yet to be for every kingdom leader. I jokingly say if I had known this season would be so fulfilling, I would have started with this first and stuck with it! Iâ™ve traded unrelenting responsibility for a soul-enriching opportunity.â _ _ _ Dick Alexander Retired: Senior minister, LifeSpring Christian Church,
Updated Listing of Christian College Enrichment Activities
Christian colleges have been offering numerous opportunities for fellowship and spiritual enrichment throughout the spring. We found some additional activities being offered over the next several weeks that weren’t part of the original list we posted Feb. 6. Below is an updated chronological listing of events yet to happen. “Love Your Story . . . Embrace His Glory,” the Lincoln (Ill.) Christian Women’s Conference, is scheduled for April 24. Featured speakers will include Debbie Strater Sempsrott and Sheila Walsh. Learn more at lincolnchristian.edu. Great Lakes Christian College, Lansing, Mich., will host a Women’s Spring Celebration at 6:30 p.m. April 26.
