Articles for tag: Thom S. Rainer

October 7, 2019

STARTING SMALL: In Praise of the Smaller Church

This is a repost of an appreciation for smaller churches from Oct. 15, 2006, written by Ben Merold, who was then serving as senior minister with Harvester Christian Church, St. Charles, Missouri. Merold, now in his early 90s, continues to serve Harvester as teaching pastor. (Read our October 2019 issue for articles about challenges facing rural and small churches . . . and possible solutions.) _ _ _ By Ben Merold, Harvester Christian Church, St. Charles, Missouri I have a great appreciation for the smaller church. I was led to accept Christ as my personal Savior in a small church.

November 1, 2009

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Leadership Ministry Training & Education

Read Well to Lead Well

Â by Eddie Lowen Every church leader, especially the primary communicator, the preacher, should fear staleness. Those who listen to us instinctively know whether or not we are digging the well deeper or skimming the surface. When people begin to lip-sync your pet phrases as you speak them . . . when you have to feign enthusiasm for things that should genuinely excite you . . . when you preach old sermons because you can”t imagine improving upon what you wrote several years ago””you are going stale.Â The easiest ways to stay fresh are through reading and discussion. Not every

June 17, 2009

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Growth

Interview with Bob Harrington

By Brad Dupray Bob Harrington has had a front-row seat in the “simple church” arena””as described and advocated in the book Simple Church (Broadman & Holman Publishers). The church where he ministers (Harpeth Community Church, Franklin, Tennessee) has embraced the simple church concept. As director of Church Planting Networks with Stadia East and lead trainer with Church Coaching Solution”s church planter bootcamp, he has trained many church leaders in implementing simple church strategies. And as a student, Bob studied under Thom S. Rainer, coauthor of Simple Church with Eric Geiger. Bob completed his DMin at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in

November 30, 2008

Christian Standard

Discipleship & Spiritual Formation

Form Without Substance?

By James Riley Estep Jr. “Why didn”t I ever hear about this in church?” he asked. I sat there at lunch a little perplexed.Â I was a first-year youth minister, and Matt was a freshman at a nearby state university. We had met the previous summer when I became the youth minister, but with the arrival of fall he moved to the nearby campus and started attending classes. One of these classes was “Introduction to Religion,” wherein he learned much about Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism . . . and of Christianity in a way he had never heard. He said,

February 17, 2008

Christian Standard

Conferences & Gatherings Organizations & Events

2008 NACC: Outside the Program

By Staff The convention program doesn”t contain all the opportunities for those who come to Cincinnati this summer. Below are just a few possibilities for fellowship, learning, inspiration, or fun: Before the Convention Reds Baseball Game (7:15 p.m. Monday) The Cincinnati Reds are playing the Pittsburgh Pirates. Tickets are available at www.reds.com. Big Band Gospel Concert (7:30″“9:30 p.m. Monday) Ralph Carmichael introduces Big Band Gospel””a blend of the matchless message of God”s love with the sounds of swing. The Good Twins will open the evening. Whiz Kids Day (Tuesday morning) The NACC and CityCURE, a Cincinnati urban ministry (www.citycure.org), will