November 4, 2025
Ending Your Search … For Significance (Psalm 8)
Your search for significance will never be completely realized here on earth unless it is realized in Jesus Christ. You can never earn what God wants to give you.
Articles for tag: purpose
November 4, 2025
Wake Up!
This is the fifth in a series of weekly articles based on Christ’s letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation. This week’s church is Sardis.
July 1, 2024
July 7 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “She Found Favor” (Esther 2:5-20), by Mark Scott.
June 10, 2024
June 16 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Looking in Amazement” (Daniel 3:1, 4-6, 8-28), by Mark Scott.
March 22, 2022
Estep Named Dean of Lincoln Christian Institute
Dr. James Riley Estep Jr. was announced as founding dean of Lincoln Christian Institute last week by Lincoln (Ill.) Christian University president Silas McCormick.
December 3, 2018
The ‘Perfect’ Christmas Tree
By Max Lucado The Christmas tree hunt is on. Families are entering tents and patrolling sidewalks. They lift limbs and examine needles. They measure. They ponder. They consider. They barter. The tree can’t be too tall or too short. It needs to fit the room and the budget. It must be full yet not dense, mature but not dry. A noble fir for some. A Douglas fir or Virginia pine for others. The preferences are different, but the desire is the same. We want the perfect Christmas tree. And, oh, the special moment when we find it. When we lash
July 14, 2018
Knowing Where You’re Going Pays Off
By Kent Fillinger I love quotes and short sayings. A favorite of mine is, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there,” from Lewis Carroll, author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger adapted it slightly as, “If you don’t know where you are going, every road will get you nowhere.” But the best mutation of the saying comes from baseball icon (and celebrated linguist) Yogi Berra: “If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.” Regardless of which version you prefer, here’s the point:
The Best Sermon I”ve Ever Heard (24)
By Arron Chambers Christian leaders tell us about a sermon they can”t forget””and maybe you won”t either. David Mehrle David Mehrle serves as lead pastor with Southwest Christian Church in Fort Worth, Texas. He became a Christian while he was in junior high. He has served the church in student ministry and as a lead pastor for more than 22 years. He graduated from St. Louis Christian College and received his master”s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. David”s Best Sermon: The best sermon I have heard is “Speak! Against Culture” by Dr. Shane Wood, professor of New Testament at Ozark Christian
November 11, 2015
The Secret-Driven Life
By Jim Tune (This column was first posted November 5, 2014.) To be real is to risk. I know many preachers who feel a deep reluctance (often well-founded) to reveal who they really are to those they lead. Henri Nouwen suggests that pastors are the least confessing people in the church. The expectations demanded of pastors in our Western culture are often unattainable, unsustainable, and soul-withering. I admit that I have sometimes allowed my own fear of vulnerability to push me into hiding. The trouble with life in the shadows is the double life it promotes in the shadow dweller.
Read Well to Lead Well
 by Eddie Lowen Every church leader, especially the primary communicator, the preacher, should fear staleness. Those who listen to us instinctively know whether or not we are digging the well deeper or skimming the surface. When people begin to lip-sync your pet phrases as you speak them . . . when you have to feign enthusiasm for things that should genuinely excite you . . . when you preach old sermons because you can”t imagine improving upon what you wrote several years ago””you are going stale. The easiest ways to stay fresh are through reading and discussion. Not every
June 21, 2009
How to Communicate with Excellence
By Tony Jeary  Who”s a Presenter? YOU Are! Tony Jeary”s new book, Purpose-Filled Presentations, will show you how to lead a small group, make a presentation to a committee or class, or share your faith with someone next door. Tony, acclaimed by corporate leaders and motivational experts as “Mr. Presentation,” explains how any Christian can communicate more effectively to anybody, anytime, anywhere! You”ll enjoy his practical, step-by-step approach. You”ll learn how to use his simple “Seven Steps to Effective Presentations” (the first four are highlighted in this article): 1. Clarify Objectives 2. Define Your Audience 3. Gather Content 4.
May 20, 2009
Interview with Tony Jeary
By Brad Dupray “Mr. Presentation” Tony Jeary has spent 25 years perfecting the art of the presentation. He has coached CEOs in a variety of industries, including leaders of Wal-Mart, Qualcomm, Samsung, and New York Life, to name a few. Having coached people the world around to develop their presentation effectiveness, Tony takes a strategic approach that works not only for “captains of industry,” but also for average Christians who want to communicate their message to a small group or one-on-one. Standard Publishing has published Tony”s 38th book, Purpose-Filled Presentations, designed to help any Christian communicate more effectively in and
December 18, 2005
Readers Tell How They Spend Time With God (published)
Christian Standard readers share practical, lived-in habits for reading Scripture and praying—using plans, journaling, hymn singing, prayer lists, and prayer walks to build consistent time with God.
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.
