February 27, 2011
Unconditional Compassion
Tom Ellsworth reflects on the Good Samaritan, showing how Jesus challenged prejudice and called his followers to compassion that sees clearly, acts practically, and goes beyond convenience.
Articles for tag: Sherwood Oaks Christian Church
Churches Provide Mission Opportunities at Christmas
Two Indiana churches created Christmas giving opportunities that connected holiday generosity with practical support for local and global mission partners.
November 1, 2010
Fun and Games
Sherwood Oaks Christian Church used Tom Ellsworth’s It’s Your Move books to turn summer board game nights into intergenerational Bible study and welcoming connection.
May 5, 2010
Interview with Bill and Mike Buher
Bill Buher and his son Mike reflect on serving as elders in different churches, passing faith across generations, and holding to biblical fundamentals while methods change.
January 31, 2010
Balance
Tom Ellsworth reflects on career pressure, crowded calendars, material pursuits, and the need to recover a balanced life rooted in Christ’s example and promise of rest.
March 1, 2009
Mexico Family Camp: Families Building Homes, Homes Building Families
Mexico Family Camp helped families serve together by building homes in Mexico, deepening bonds across generations while shaping hearts for missions, generosity, worship, and life-changing service.
February 27, 2008
Interview with Tom Ellsworth
Tom Ellsworth discusses how Beyond Your Backyard calls believers and churches to move beyond comfort zones through relationships and unselfish service, balancing outward community impact with inward discipleship and equipping.
January 13, 2008
Standard’s VBS: More Than Learning, Beyond Fun
Standard Publishing’s 2008 VBS, “God’s Big Backyard,” pairs backyard fun with hands-on community service. Kids learn to serve family, neighbors, and Jesus through daily projects, Bible lessons, and practical ministry tools for churches.
October 21, 2007
Welcome Back! How Some Churches Work to See Visitors Return
Practical follow-up helps first-time guests return and connect. Learn how four growing churches gather visitor information, make personal contact, and invite newcomers into lunches, groups, and serving teams.
August 22, 2007
Can the Church Impact Culture?
Church leaders share how congregations can impact culture by going beyond their walls—serving schools, shelters, and neighborhoods—while keeping disciple-making central, not merely counting how many newcomers were never part of a church.
October 15, 2006
STARTING SMALL: It’s Really Not About Size
Tom Ellsworth shares hard-won lessons from moving from small-church ministry to leading a growing congregation—why attitude, vision, relationships, and serving matter more than size, and how churches can stay healthy as they expand.
August 13, 2006
The Problem of Evil
Why God allows evil is explored through Jesus’ parable of the weeds among the wheat, pointing to an enemy at work, human choice, and the call to choose, serve, and trust God until the harvest.
September 25, 2005
Partners With God
Partnership is often overlooked in kingdom work. Tom Ellsworth reminds leaders that God is the senior partner, and Noah’s story shows how faithful obedience and trust carry us through the storms.
July 24, 2005
Wisdom Is a Good Thing
Reflecting on Ecclesiastes and James, Tom Ellsworth shares how God teaches wisdom through life experiences, relationships, and hard seasons—inviting believers to hold on loosely to this life and keep eternity in view.
June 19, 2005
‘Awe’ Moments
From ocean waves to a helicopter view of the Grand Canyon, Tom Ellsworth explores “awe” moments that point to God’s majesty—and to the greatest awe of all: Christ’s total sacrifice for us.
