Articles for tag: Paul the Apostle

July 26, 2013

Christian Standard

We Carry a Heavy Load

Healthy, active churches need healthy, active leaders. Only a balanced life equips a person to handle the burdens of leadership. By Aaron Wymer “I don”t think so, Elzie. It”s just easier to be a Christian when I”m not an elder.” With these words, or words very much like them, Wayne told my father he wasn”t willing to become an elder at my home church. My dad”s eyes twinkled a little when he told me what Wayne said, but the rest of his face frowned. I could tell dad agreed with him, but couldn”t bring himself to refuse his call to be

March 30, 2013

Christian Standard

The Alternative Story

By Joe Boyd I want to change the world. I”m obviously not alone. Protestors, politicians, pastors, parents, and beauty pageant contestants””we all love to talk about changing the world. Just stick a microphone in front of one of us and we”ll gladly poetically drone about change and hope and the power of possibility. Except for a few fringe extremists, everyone I know genuinely desires world peace. We want to see the hungry fed, the endangered children saved, and the abandoned elderly dignified. It isn”t too hard for us to imagine a better world without slave traders, child abusers, and hatemongers. We want

January 21, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 27, 2013: Standing Firm in Christ (Philippians 3:12–4:1)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone In his personal letter to the church family at Philippi, the apostle Paul emphasized the importance of doing everything for the sake of Christ (Philippians 3:7). In addition to warning against false teachers, he spoke candidly about spiritual maturity, encouraging every Christian to remain faithful. Today”s text provides guidance for believers living in a hostile world.   Don”t Dwell on the Past Philippians 3:12, 13 It is not wise to think that one has “arrived,” having

January 8, 2013

Christian Standard

How Do You Define Your Leadership? Natalie Puljung

By Natalie Puljung My leadership is defined by whom I follow. It is easy to become consumed by leadership books and talks, and forget that Jesus is the ultimate example of leadership. Every leader needs to follow someone, and it would be foolish to think I can be the sole leader of myself. I define my leadership by following Christ. If I find myself reading more leadership books than the Word of God, then who am I actually following? If I claim to be a follower of Jesus, yet use his words only to supplement my leadership, then am I

April 8, 2011

Christian Standard

Numbers Matter

By Edward Sanders While I was in school, I paid the bills by selling men”s suits. At the end of my shift, it was rather easy to see whether we had a good day selling. Every night at closing, someone would count the suits. A dozen fewer suits meant we were successful and our efforts had paid off. I no longer sell men”s suits. I work at a church. One Monday I was sitting at my computer when the attendance and offering numbers for the weekend services came through. I opened the document and tried to grasp the trend for

January 27, 2008

Christian Standard

Worship/Service: A Conversation Between Paul and David

By Mandy Smith Last year I started a new job that means I will never get to worship, or so I have been told. It is my responsibility every Sunday to help others worship by overseeing the sound board, musicians, PowerPoint, seating, bulletins, and Communion cups. No time for singing or sitting or listening. No worship for me. As part of this new job, I got a subscription to Worship Leader magazine and, while flipping through it, I became convinced of something we already know: “worship leader” has come to be synonymous with “music minister.” Of the 51 advertisements in

December 26, 2007

Christian Standard

Change: How to Accomplish the “˜Impossible”

By Mark A. Taylor “Why don”t you just talk with them?” I suggested. She and I were discussing a married couple in the church whose attitudes would probably slow down progress on our ministry project. “Because it won”t do any good,” she answered quickly. “I”ve discovered through the years that talking to people about some way they need to change seldom results in making the change happen.” Even though I”ve forgotten the details surrounding this conversation, I still wrestle with this Christian leader”s conclusion. Don”t talk to people about change? But isn”t the church in the change business? Hasn”t Paul

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