July 18, 2010
NACC Beyond A Sermon Series and BEYOND
Ethan Magness reflects on how the BEYOND series challenged Mountain Christian Church to embrace discomfort, renew urgency, and keep following Jesus into places they had never been.
Articles for tag: Spiritual Formation
March 14, 2010
Friendship Matters
Kelly Kastens reflects on why spiritual friendship matters, especially for Christian leaders who need trusted companions marked by honesty, vulnerability, prayer, and a shared desire to become more like Christ.
December 9, 2009
Surrender Comes Slowly
Mark A. Taylor reflects on surgery, health concerns, and the slow lesson of surrendering control to God through uncertainty, waiting, and physical weakness.
March 15, 2009
Spiritual Formation as Leadership Development
Bill Weber urges Bible colleges and seminaries to make spiritual formation intentional, developing Christian character through curriculum, faculty mentoring, spiritual disciplines, and a campus culture centered on discipleship.
Christian College: High Value
Christian colleges report on the value of Bible-centered education, highlighting ministry training, mentoring, affordability, service, spiritual formation, and preparation for lifelong kingdom impact.
March 15, 2009
FROM MY BOOKSHELF: For Presiders, Preachers, Prayers, and Other Leaders
LeRoy Lawson reviews five Christian books on the Lord’s Supper, the Lord’s Prayer, preaching, hermeneutics, and the ministry needs of smaller churches.
February 22, 2009
Just What Is Christian Spirituality?
Neal Windham defines Christian spirituality as a conscious, authentic relationship with the triune God that shapes prayer, practice, formation, and holistic life integration.
Windows of Youth Ministry
Curtis Booher and Phyllis Fox examine millennial students, their generational traits, and why youth ministry must become more holistic, intergenerational, participatory, and rooted in the gospel.
October 19, 2008
It’s Harder to Do than to Talk About
Chuck Sackett reflects on returning to local church preaching and relearning how leadership, change, sermon preparation, and spiritual formation are harder to practice than to teach.
July 20, 2008
Intentional Events
Southland Christian Church’s discipleship approach emphasizes fewer events, deeper relationships, home-based formation, and small groups shaped by shared life, spiritual growth, and service.
July 20, 2008
ONLINE EXTRA: Making Disciples-An Interview with Ethan Magness
Ethan Magness of Mountain Christian Church discusses how churches can resist pandering, pursue deepening faith, and use both large events and small groups to make disciples.
March 16, 2008
Why Go to a Christian College?
A college president and parent explains why Christian colleges matter: strong educational value, a faith-shaped campus environment, and intensive spiritual formation that prepares students for lifelong vocation and service.
January 16, 2008
God’s Word, Our Opportunity
A simple weeknight habit—opening the Bible with your children—can shape a child’s spiritual direction for life. Parents don’t need a complex plan; they can begin by reading Scripture together at home.
December 9, 2007
Creating Environments (Southland Christian Church, Lexington, KY)
A review of Organic Community through Southland Christian Church’s experience with life groups, showing how releasing control helped people connect naturally and grow spiritually.
January 21, 2007
Two Examples of Emerging Worship
Dan Kimball says “emerging worship” is more than new styles—it reflects deeper questions about the church itself. See how two congregations are reshaping weekend gatherings around participation, dialogue, and community.
January 17, 2007
A Nagging Concern
Mark A. Taylor reflects on house churches, silent worship, and interactive services—and urges readers to look past comfort to deeper questions about what best forms worship, obedience, and a meaningful witness to postmodern adults.
July 16, 2006
Churches, Change, and Growth (Part 2)
Starbucks has mastered community, consistency, and customization. Kent Fillinger explores what churches can learn about welcoming people, shaping first impressions, and offering accessible pathways for spiritual growth.
June 18, 2006
Five Books About Spiritual Formation
Tony Twist recommends five trusted classics on prayer and spiritual formation—guides to inner renewal, friendship with Jesus, and a deeper peace shaped by Christ.
June 14, 2006
Quantity, Quality, and Presentation
Mark A. Taylor reflects on spiritual formation and asks whether packed church calendars can mask empty souls. Spiritual progress is a process, not a program—moving beyond busyness toward being formed to please God.
July 31, 2005
CHURCH IN THE CITY 1: Pursuing Partnerships in Indianapolis
In a diverse city, “one size does not fit all.” Jeff Krajewski explains how partnerships help urban churches connect resources to real needs, support spiritual formation, and strengthen unity and accountability across congregations.
