Articles for tag: Phil Allen

December 28, 2015

Christian Standard

Rapper God?

By Jeff Walling Someone asked me why I like using hip-hop poetry, sometimes called “spoken word,” as sermon illustrations. I answered, simply, “Because God is a hip-hop artist.” Before you brand me a heretic, consider this: God is the original spoken word artist. From the first introduction of God in the Scriptures, the creator of all things seems to love using words to create art. He could have made the universe with a snap of his fingers or a nod of his head, but instead he spoke it into existence. And it”s not just any words he prefers, but poetic

October 8, 2013

Mark A. Taylor

Keeping Them Connected

By Mark A. Taylor Those concerned about millennials and their relationship to the church can be encouraged by research reported by the Barna Group in September. Although the news release, titled “Five Reasons Millennials Stay Connected to Church,” minced no words about “the harsh realities of Millennial Faith,” it also offered research to show why many 18- to 29-year-olds stay connected to God by being connected to a local church. But first the bad news: 59 percent of millennials raised in Christian churches eventually leave them. In the last decade, according to this research, the number of unchurched millennials has

August 18, 2013

Christian Standard

They Need to See Faith

By Phil Allen Discipleship is the foundation for all I believe God has called me to do as a pastor. My own experience as a new Christian tells me every Christian needs someone to show and not just tell how to honor God with his or her own life. This is why discipleship is the foundation for what we do at The Vine college/young adult ministry at Shepherd of the Hills Church. When I say discipleship, I am talking about life-on-life, transparent and genuine, not-afraid-to-get-messy mentorship. A professor of mine said, “How can you change something that you”re afraid to

July 2, 2013

Christian Standard

40 Under 40: Phil Allen

PHIL ALLEN Vine pastor, (young adult ministry), Shepherd of the Hills Church,  Porter Ranch, California When I think of Phil Allen, I think of the word powerful. There is a special rhythm, dynamic, and power in the way he speaks. It”s very captivating, especially among twentysomethings and thirtysomethings. It”s because of his giftedness to speak to this generation, as well as his unwavering commitment to the truth, that I am convinced he will be a key influencer in ministry in Christian churches in the coming year. Phil possesses a calling from the Lord to communicate with passion and conviction. In

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