Choosing My Focus, Protecting My Ministry
Ministry burnout reveals the need for spiritual health among church leaders. Anne Jackson’s counsel reminds servants of the church to keep God—not work, calling, or success—at the center.
Articles for tag: Opinion
May 17, 2009
The Point of Christianity 2: Racial Reconciliation
Douglas A. Foster calls Christians to confront racial division, examine unconscious attitudes shaped by culture, and pursue reconciliation in the church as part of the gospel.
A Christian Civics Lesson
 By Rod Roberts On January 9, 2007, the newly elected speaker of the Iowa House gaveled the 82nd General Assembly into session. True to the traditions of the Iowa House, the speaker invited a special guest pastor to bring the invocation that morning. To the surprise of many, the guest invited to pray for the General Assembly was a Des Moines-area Muslim imam. The gesture was, in part, recognition of the election of Iowa”s first Muslim state legislator, who was from Des Moines. In fact, the state Capitol in Des Moines is located in this legislator”s district. The imam
May 18, 2008
New Church, New Elders: One Church’s Process
John E. Wasem outlines Suncrest Christian Church’s careful process for developing elders through prayer, teaching, nomination, confirmation, orientation, and ongoing congregational reaffirmation.
Turn Up the Quiet (How I Learned to Enjoy Solitude)
Jan Johnson reflects on solitude as a spiritual discipline—found on canyon walks and retreat days—where inner “committee” voices are quieted, God is heard, busyness loosens its grip, and we learn to be better with others.
November 30, 2005
Your Opinion Can Help Our Ministry
Standard Publishing invites you to take a simple survey about a new ministry available soon—focused on digital downloadable resources and how you look for them. Click through to share your input today.
November 30, 2005
Your Opinion Can Help Our Ministry
Standard Publishing invites readers to take a simple survey about a new ministry launching soon. Share how you search for digital downloadable resources and help shape what’s coming next.
October 30, 2005
INTO A MOVEMENT: It Was Way Cool!
An unusual series of events led to Bert Crabbe’s baptism and ordination as part of the Christian church movement—sparked by a church planting assessment center, local-church interviews, and shared convictions about reaching lost people.
July 10, 2005
Reflections of Two Vagabonds (Part 2)
After a 20-month RV tour across America, LeRoy Lawson shares several “druthers” for the church—hopes for growth in leadership, worship practices, ethnic outreach, missions giving, and Scripture-centered preaching and teaching.
June 5, 2005
Demonstrating Love, Discovering Community
Mark Deakins reflects on how worship music choices can unintentionally exclude people and argues that unity amid diversity is possible when love, humility, and God-centered worship shape the congregation’s approach.
