They Deserve Our Support!
A reflection on the enduring value of Christian colleges and seminaries—forming faith, scholarship, and future leaders—while honestly naming pressures and questions that deserve cooperation and thoughtful support.
Articles for tag: Megachurches
February 28, 2007
More Important than Trans Fat
A reflection comparing fast food to shallow spirituality, urging churches to keep the “flavor” while improving the “content.” The goal isn’t just pleasing crowds, but pursuing the long-term health of the audience.
December 10, 2006
The Restoration Movement: Its Vitality, Quirks, and Needs in the 21st Century
LeRoy Lawson reflects on the Restoration Movement’s quirks and strengths, then points to key needs ahead—renewed purpose, celebrated diversity, deeper cooperation, and relevance to the pre-Christian world.
October 15, 2006
The Megas Were Minors
Knofel Staton reflects on what megachurches can offer—and why small congregations matter just as much. He traces how “minor churches” nurture faith and leaders, and calls both large and small churches to value each other’s role.
May 14, 2006
3 WOMEN IN MINISTRY: ‘I’m Glad I’m a Megachurch Pastor’s Wife’
Susan Wilson shares how God called her to ministry too—and how that calling has shaped her life as a megachurch pastor’s wife through rapid growth, new challenges, and the joy of seeing lives changed.
May 14, 2006
The Ministry of the Minister’s Assistant
Four administrative assistants to senior pastors share what they’ve learned about access, communication, staff structure, and trust. Their candid insights offer practical principles any church can apply as it grows.
Everybody”s Challenge
Mark A. Taylor reflects on serving a fellowship of churches ranging from rural “mini churches” to megachurches, and why stewardship questions—especially how we spend and give—matter for every congregation.
April 23, 2006
Our Colleges in Historical Perspective
A survey of how Restoration Movement colleges moved from the margins to the mainstream—through accreditation, expanded curricula, shifting campus influence, and changing loyalties—while facing financial pressure and renewed questions of mission and distinctiveness.
April 9, 2006
MEGACHURCHES: A Mega-Summary of Our Churches
A statistical snapshot of emerging megachurches and megachurches in Christian churches and churches of Christ, highlighting 2005 attendance trends, baptisms, multisite growth, staffing ratios, and facility and finance benchmarks for churches of every size.
April 9, 2006
MEGACHURCHES: Facts & Figures
Core 2005 statistics for megachurches and emerging megachurches in the Christian churches/churches of Christ, including attendance totals, growth rates, fastest-growing churches, baptism rates, and a state-by-state snapshot.
Calling All Leaders, Announcing All Megachurches
By Mark A. Taylor When we say CHRISTIAN STANDARD is a magazine for leaders in the local church, immediately we create a problem. Just who is a leader? At no time is that question more clearly answered than when we consider the Leaders in Christian Service program cosponsored by Milligan College and Standard Publishing. Leaders in Christian Service recognizes men and women who have discovered the beauty in the paradox presented by Christ: “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26, New Living Translation ). Those who have received this reward in the past
February 22, 2006
Healthy Churches Come in All Sizes!
Energizing Smaller Churches Network (ESCN) is launching four “Healthy Churches Come in All Sizes” conferences on Christian college campuses, encouraging leaders of smaller congregations through worship, workshops, and practical ministry support.
November 30, 2005
What Kind of Church Are You?
“Can your kind of church change your kind of world?” Drawing from a profile of 113 megachurches and emerging megachurches, this piece highlights growth trends and indicators to help leaders improve church health and effectiveness.
November 30, 2005
We’re Down to Two Brands, so Keep Voting!
The contest is down to the final two church logos. Cast your vote for the “BRAND CHAMPION” before the championship round closes at 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, and explore more Christian Standard features while you visit.
October 2, 2005
House Calls: A Vanishing Form of Ministry
A minister reflects on the disappearing practice of pastoral house calls—and what is lost when leaders stop entering people’s homes, where the “visual clues” of ordinary life can open deeper care and connection.
September 14, 2005
Their Leadership”“and Mine
Mark A. Taylor reflects on Henri Nouwen’s In the Name of Jesus, confronting divisiveness, performance pressure, and power in ministry—and realizing the book’s sharpest challenge is personal.
September 4, 2005
Ambushed by an Open Door
A professor’s classroom story becomes a warning and a guide: cultural change has made communication harder, and church technique shifts can carry hidden trade-offs. Hold tight to what endures while evaluating change with wisdom.
July 3, 2005
Reflections of Two Vagabonds (Part 1)
LeRoy Lawson reflects on a 20-month RV journey and the remarkable revival he’s witnessed among independent Christian churches—through megachurch growth, church plants, community engagement, expanding schools, and healthier leadership and unity.
July 3, 2005
Megachurches and Their Leaders – Big and Bad?
Eddie Lowen addresses common criticisms of megachurches, pointing to the New Testament church’s large beginnings and offering observations about what healthy large churches can look like in practice.
June 29, 2005
Looking Again at the Badge of “Big”
Church conversations often treat size as a badge of credibility. A Catholic case in Spain raises a harder question: can a smaller, purer church have deeper impact than cultural Christianity that has lost its “saltiness”?
