Articles for tag: Restoration Movement

Interview with Ken Idleman

By Brad Dupray Ken Idleman served on the faculty and administration of Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri, for 34 years””27 as president. In 1992, he became the youngest man ever selected to serve as president of the North American Christian Convention. For the past year Ken has been serving as senior pastor of Crossroads Christian Church in Newburgh, Indiana. He holds graduate and postgraduate degrees from Lincoln (Illinois) Christian College and Seminary and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Milligan College in Tennessee. He and his wife of 40 years, Kaylene, have three grown children and 11 grandchildren. As

First Steps Toward Mending Broken Relationships

By Mark A. Taylor When I”m convinced I”m right and you”re wrong, I can find many justifications for refusing to give you a call. The first step toward mending a broken relationship is sometimes the most difficult. This is especially true when it comes to religion. It”s not just that I feel those folks in the church building down the street are mixed up. I”ve got chapter and verse to prove it. Unfortunately, nowhere has this been more evident than between some in each of the three “streams” of the Restoration Movement. But would it be possible to focus on

Interview with Doug Wood

By Brad Dupray Doug Wood spent the last five years as executive pastor at Florence (Oregon) Christian Church. During that time, Doug led the church on a search for its purpose and provided direction to achieve that purpose. As a result, God transformed a traditional church with one full-time pastor into a dynamic, community-based church with a ministry staff of 10. Doug recently accepted a call as colead minister at Craig (Colorado) Christian Church, where he is helping Christians embrace a first-century growth environment. Doug has a bachelor”s degree from Hope International University, Fullerton, California, and a master”s degree from

INTRO: Does the Restoration Movement Matter?

By Staff Who cares about the Restoration Movement? We”ve been asking that question with different groups in different ways, and this week we”ll share what we”ve been hearing. For starters, follow the links below to see how certain individuals answered. (Note from webmaster: We will try to relink these after the archiving process is completed.) We wrote one set of questions and sent them to six leaders in our fellowship. (One of them passed the list on to her son for an additional perspective.) They sent us their answers without consulting with each other, and we”re sharing most of what

Restoration Movement Q&A 1

Answers from Gene Carter, Becky Ahlberg, and Eric Ahlberg Does the Restoration Movement Matter? Answers from Gene Carter, Becky Ahlberg, and Eric Ahlberg Gene Carter is retired in Playa del Rey, California, after 55 years of ministry, 25 in the Midwest and 30 in Southern California. Becky Ahlberg is worship and neighborhood engagement minister at Anaheim (California) First Christian Church and a CHRISTIAN STANDARD contributing editor. Eric Ahlberg is a member of Anaheim First Christian and a forensic structural engineer at Exponent Corporation in Irvine, California. Do you feel as strongly about being a part of the Restoration Movement today

Restoration Movement Q&A 3

Answers from Brian Lowery Does the Restoration Movement Matter? Answers from Brian Lowery. Brian Lowery works with Christianity Today International, where he serves as managing editor for Preaching Today. Do you feel as strongly about being a part of the Restoration Movement today as you did fifteen years ago?  What, if anything, has changed? Fifteen years ago I was 15 years old. I can really only recall feeling strongly about pizza, getting my driver’s license, and whether or not “that one girl in math class” liked me. The Restoration Movement wasn’t exactly on my radar yet. However, I can say that

Restoration Movement Q&A 4

Answers from Pat Magness Does the Restoration Movement Matter? Answers from Pat Magness. Pat Magness is professor of humanities and English at Milligan College in Tennessee and a member of the Publishing Committee at Standard Publishing. Do you feel as strongly about being a part of the Restoration Movement today as you did fifteen years ago?  What, if anything, has changed? Yes, I remain strongly committed to the Restoration Movement and even more deeply involved in a variety of ministries. In addition to the connections in my local congregation, I feel increasingly connected to the Restoration Movement through my work on

Restoration Movement Q&A 5

Answers from Ethan Magness Does the Restoration Movement Matter? Answers from EthanMagness. Ethan Magness is spiritual formation pastor at Mountain Christian Church, Joppa, Maryland. Do you feel as strongly about being a part of the Restoration Movement today as you did fifteen years ago?  What, if anything, has changed? My interest in and commitment to the Restoration movement has steadily grown.  Fifteen years ago I definitely took the Restoration movement for granted.  Having been raised inside the movement, I saw its flaws more clearly than its strengths.  I have come to be more and more committed that the Restoration movement is

Survey Says: We Want to Stay Connected!

By Mark A. Taylor How do leaders in Christian churches and churches of Christ feel about staying connected with others like themselves? After hearing from more than 1,200 of them in a survey conducted this spring, we feel confident of one conclusion: Leaders in our fellowship highly value their connections with each other. Seeking Connection Almost half (545 respondents, or 44 percent of the total) said it is “Very Important” to be connected with other leaders in Christian churches/churches of Christ. Another 21 percent (253 respondents) said it is “Critical.” That totals almost two-thirds of respondents, while only 11 percent

What Will Keep Us Together?

By John Derry Christian churches have long resisted being identified or referred to as a denomination, preferring instead to be called a brotherhood or fellowship. In many cases we emphasize our local autonomy by adding the word independent when describing who we are. Our perspective is such that we object to any form of bureaucracy or hierarchical structure that would impose limitations on how we choose to function. The Bible is all we need to inform our doctrinal positions, church governance, and mission. Denominational churches may find security in having a regional or national office establish operational policies and assist

A New Movement and the Choices We Must Make

By Greg Taylor There”s a new Restoration Movement on fire and spreading in the United States and the world. For those of us who have passionately believed in Restoration principles of wearing Christ”s name alone, who see Scripture as our only rule of faith and practice, and who are imperfectly living out a dream of being the church Jesus wanted, we have a decision to make. We can continue with the little pickup stickball game outside the World Series stadium, or we can realize the larger Christian world is singing our song and playing our game in the arena. A

Hoping to See You in Cincinnati!

By Mark A. Taylor Here at Standard Publishing we”re pleased to welcome the North American Christian Convention to our hometown. If you”re coming to Cincinnati in a few weeks, we hope to see you at our expansive, attractive display in the center of the convention”s exhibit hall. But, in addition to this, we are sponsoring several other opportunities to serve you and get acquainted that week. Tuesday, July 1, 8:30 a.m.: Restoration Heritage Tour   Visit places where Restoration Movement history happened, including the site of the Campbell-Owen debate, the founding place of the American Christian Missionary Society, the sites

Second Thoughts About Mission Giving

By Sam E. Stone As Joan Rivers used to ask, “Can we talk?” We have some issues in Restoration Movement churches that need to be discussed. Many worthy missionaries and church-related organizations who have received generous gifts through the mission giving of local churches are facing serious challenges. Over the years I”ve talked with many missionary leaders around the world. They know more about the subject than I do””but it wouldn”t be prudent for one of them to write this article. You might dismiss their comments by simply declaring, “Well, they have a vested interest in this.” I don”t. But

Restoration Movement identity

Your Opinion About Our Unique Identity

CHRISTIAN STANDARD invites readers to complete a survey about connection and identity within the Restoration Movement. The article highlights encouraging growth and influence, while raising concerns about drifting from the movement’s unique plea.

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