Articles for tag: Mars Hill

March 12, 2020

Christian Standard

Wayne Smith’s NACC Message to Preachers (Part 1)

Wayne Smith helped start Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1956 and served as her senior minister until 1995. He died in 2016. Still today, many list Smith as their all-time favorite preacher. This article from 1985 was actually Smith’s manuscript from his keynote sermon at the North American Christian Convention in 1977, the year he served as president. Smith’s topic, preaching, was the subject about which he was perhaps most passionate. This is long, and so we will break it into two parts. This week focuses on “The Summons—Preach,” and part two next week will explore “The Subject—Christ”

September 5, 2011

Christian Standard

Cease-Fire: Rethinking the Culture Wars

By Kelly Boyd The alignment of Christians with political conservatism is a recent phenomenon rarely questioned these days. Conservatism, it seems, simply is understood as the biblical position, but the results have been mixed at best, from a cultural standpoint. In fact, it can be predicted with confidence that gay marriage will be legal in all 50 states in our lifetime. How can this be, when Paul says, “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31)? I propose that it”s time for a cease-fire in the culture war and a closer examination of the church”s calling

June 20, 2010

Christian Standard

Crimes and Misdemeanors (a Parable)

By John Castelein Some movies arrest our imagination the same way parables do. For instance, when I saw Groundhog Day in the theater, I immediately experienced it as a profound parable of repentance. Other movies that have similar parabolic dimensions for me are Amadeus, Forrest Gump, and The Truman Show. Almost as many parables are presented in cinemas today as in sanctuaries. If Christians can use these movies as parables of our shared humanity, hopes, and fears, powerful bridges of communication with nonbelievers can be built. Are you able to use such teachable moments? The movie Crimes and Misdemeanors can be seen as

October 29, 2006

Christian Standard

Confessions of a Compulsive Adventurer

By Paul Boatman “Grandpa, my friends don”t know I”m this kind of girl.” Six-year-old Allison was reflecting on our day of hiking in the canyons of Indiana”s Turkey Run State Park. “What kind of girl do they think you are?” “They think I”m a girly girl, but I”m an adventure girl!” Adventure! The term is a dominant theme in contemporary culture. I receive winsome advertisements for “adventure travel.” So-called reality television shows contrive adventures for their casts of exhibitionist participants. Interactive Internet adventure games invite virtual participation in activities ranging from mysterious to obscene, all intended to stir a sense

October 8, 2006

Christian Standard

Praying in the Public Square

By Michael A. Bigelow “Air Force discourages public prayer.”1 “Navy chaplain conducts hunger strike outside White House to pray in Jesus” name.”2 “Military Culture War: Armed services debate prayer in Jesus” name.”3 Over the past two years, a debate has raged throughout the military services about evangelicals claiming they were pressured to make their prayers more inclusive. Some chaplains allege they have faced retribution for praying “in Jesus” name.” In the name of pluralism, they insist their own religious rights were trampled. The controversy has wider impact than the military. It shapes the debate about the place of prayer in

Secret Link