Articles for tag: Shepherding

June 8, 2008

Christian Standard

Good to Great Groups

By Michael C. Mack READ THE SIDEBAR: “God’s Word on Great Shepherds” READ THE SIDEBAR: “Great Small Groups Need Shepherds” Good small groups are the enemy of great small groups. Jim Collins opens Good to Great (HarperCollins, 2001) with similar words: “Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great.” God promises to make us into something great (i.e., Genesis 12:2). Yet countless small groups settle for good. They acquiesce to ordinary and adequate rather than pursuing an abundant, transformational ministry. In his book The Relational Way,

June 8, 2008

Christian Standard

God’s Word on Great Shepherds

By Michael C. Mack READ THE MAIN ARTICLE: “Good to Great Groups” READ THE SIDEBAR: “Great Small Groups Need Shepherds” God”s Word is rich in its discussion about shepherding. Here are just a few passages that describe the great shepherd-leader”s role. “Be shepherds of God”s flock that is under your care” (1 Peter 5:2). The apostle Peter addressed his appeal to elders in the first-century church. These leaders were called to shepherd the groups in a particular city or churches that met in specific homes. This passage also applies to what small group leaders are called to do in today”s

February 27, 2008

Christian Standard

We Can Agree on Some Things About Elders

By Mark A. Taylor The elders described by Bob Wetzel and Roy Lawson this week seemed sure about what they were supposed to be doing. They didn”t need a Greek scholar to explain shepherd. They didn”t argue about who was “in charge” of their church; they just served it. They didn”t wait to define differences between elders” and the preacher”s role before they encouraged the preacher and interceded for him. Without fanfare or pretense they simply tended the flock of God because they loved the Lord and they loved the flock. The elders described here were a humble lot, like

January 30, 2008

Christian Standard

Ministers: The Happiest Workers in America

By Mark A. Taylor According to Time, members of the clergy are the happiest workers in America. The magazine”s November 26 feature, “One Day in America,” included a chart rating the happiest people, by job, in the country; 67 percent of the clergy surveyed said they”re “very happy.” In 12 pages of photos and commentary, Time failed to examine or explain this finding. Firefighters were the second-happiest workers on the chart, and Time published a photo of a fireman lounging in front of a big-screen TV between calls. But there were no pictures of ministers preaching or studying or interacting

Help Keep Christian Standard Free & Accessible with a Tax Deductible Donation

We can do more together!

Every gift makes a difference!

No, thank you.
100% secure transactions - receipts provided.
Does Your Church Want to Support Christian Standard?

Would your church consider including support for Christian Standard in its annual missions budget? Your support would help us not only continue the 160-year legacy of this unifying ministry, but also expand the free resources, cooperative opportunities, and practical guidance we provide to strengthen churches in the U.S. and around the world.

We can do more together!

Every gift makes a difference!

No, thank you.
100% secure transactions - receipts provided.
Secret Link