Articles for tag: Standard Publishing

August 31, 2008

Christian Standard

Everyone Connected: Relational Strategies to Get Your Whole Church Involved

By Michael C. Mack Two of the most common questions I hear church leaders ask is, “How do we connect people? What is the best method for assimilation?” I”ve given those questions a lot of thought and study, and I have been frustrated trying to figure out what methods the early church used to assimilate the 3,000 believers baptized on the Day of Pentecost (as well as all those who continued to be added to the church). We know what their values were and some of what they did together. We know they met in homes and the temple courts.

August 24, 2008

Christian Standard

Life-Influencers

By Sam E. Stone When we read Paul”s list of greetings near the end of his letter to the church in Rome, we may be tempted to skip over the names (Romans 16:3-15; 21-24). Although we don”t know the people, each must have played an important role in the apostle”s life. He saw each one as he wrote the name. Remembering those who made a positive difference in your life can be valuable. Let me tell you about a few Christians who contributed to mine. They may remind you of folk who influenced you over the years, as well as

July 13, 2008

Christian Standard

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

July 13, 2008

Christian Standard

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

July 2, 2008

Christian Standard

Interview with Leonard Wymore

By Brad Dupray Leonard Wymore served as convention director of the North American Christian Convention from 1964 to 1986. His expertise in leading such a large venture was developed in his organizing of National Christian Education Conventions for Standard Publishing, beginning in 1956. When the NACC”s Convention Committee asked him to become convention director, their purpose was to combine the forces of the two conventions in order to broaden the appeal of the NACC. Leonard is a graduate of Manhattan (Kansas) Christian College. He and his wife of 63 years, Thelma, attend Hopwood Christian Church in Milligan College, Tennessee. How

June 22, 2008

Christian Standard

What Is an Elder”s Most Important Job?

By Arron Chambers Who is an elder supposed to be? The Bible makes it clear Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God”s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall

June 11, 2008

Christian Standard

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

June 8, 2008

Christian Standard

Great Small Groups Need Shepherds

By Michael C. Mack READ THE MAIN ARTICLE: “Good to Great Groups” READ THE SIDEBAR: “God’s Word on Great Shepherds”     Great small groups require great leaders, and great small group leaders are shepherds””spiritual guides for the group God has entrusted to their care. But not everyone believes that. To get more people into small groups, some churches are launching hundreds of groups at a time with “facilitators” or “hosts” rather than shepherd-leaders. An attitude of “anyone will do” prevails today when looking for people to start new groups. Some churches use slogans such as “If you have a

June 8, 2008

Christian Standard

Small Group Resources that Make a Big Impact

By Dale Reeves There is more than small talk today about small groups. There are churches with groups, churches composed of groups, and churches that are groups (i.e., the house church movement). In his book Creating Community, lead pastor Andy Stanley says of Northpoint Community Church, “Small groups are not an appendage to our ministry; they are our ministry. We think groups. We are driven by groups.” According to The Barna Group, approximately 11 million people, or 55 percent of America”s 20 million evangelicals, participate in some kind of small group each week. More than two-thirds of American churches use

April 23, 2008

Christian Standard

Available Only from Us

By Mark A. Taylor This information isn”t available anywhere else. That was the comment one reader made about the expanded Christian college issue CHRISTIAN STANDARD published March 16. The same is true for this week”s issue. Hidden on the computer hard drives of several campus ministers, the directory we publish annually tells our thousands of readers about these ministries. Keep this issue or send it to college-age students you know. Or find the directory at our Web site and bookmark it for future reference. Hundreds of Christian students on secular campuses across the country are making life-changing commitments to God

April 6, 2008

Orrin Root

public prayer

Public Prayer

What does it mean to lead a congregation in prayer? This classic piece urges leaders to pray clearly and specifically, awaken shared gratitude and need, and prepare thoughtfully so the congregation can truly say “amen.”

February 3, 2008

Christian Standard

How a Visit to a Country Church Changed Many Lives

By Ruth M. Groover My father said “yes” reluctantly, but I would have done the same thing under the circumstances. My parents, Ernest and Ila Miller, were born in rural Georgia. My father knew how to raise corn and cotton, and he planned to make a living as a farmer. My mother was quite happy with life on the farm. But things changed. Walter S. and Civilla D. Martin are remembered primarily for their work as Christian musicians. Harvard-educated, Dr. Martin”s strength was writing music. Mrs. Martin wrote the words. The beautiful hymn “God Will Take Care of You” is

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