Think Outward
Every church will tell you they have an outward focus because they know that's Jesus' Great Commission, but the truth is that many are not.
Articles for tag: Throwback Thursday
January 1, 2026
Succession: The Things You Need to Know but Others Won’t Tell You
We need to start thinking and planning for succession earlier rather than later, knowing that the stakes are high, the process takes time, and that we are following a biblical mandate.
January 1, 2026
Retirement, Ministry, and Learning to Let Go: A Pastor’s Wife’s Perspective
Retirement doesn’t mean ministry is over. It just means it looks different. The way we influence and serve may change, but God still uses us.
January 1, 2026
Bridging the Leadership Gap: Essential Steps for Church Succession
Elders and pastors need to intentionally work to identify and develop future pastors and leaders, viewing this as both a calling and a priority.
January 1, 2026
Serving in the Shadows
If your main motivation is to please other people, and your self-worth depends on others’ approval, you will be frustrated and disappointed.
January 1, 2026
Pastoral Transition: Succession or Interim?
When done with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, succession and an intentional interim create the smoothest path to pastoral transition.
November 6, 2025
Love’s Persuasive Power
Love has persuasive power. Compassion makes our arguments more convincing, but without love, our arguments sound hollow.
February 27, 2025
“The World Outlook: Leadership”: A Christian Standard Article from 1919
The January/February edition of the Christian Standard has been dedicated to the development of Christian leadership. The concern for leadership within our churches is nothing new. Over 100 years ago, on July 12, 1919, M. M. Boteler addressed the subject of developing Christian leaders in the pages of the Christian Standard.
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘When Is a Church Not a Church?’ (1967)
"When is a church not a church?" an Iowa preacher wrote in 1967. "A church is no longer a church when it becomes a club. . . . A church is no longer a church when it becomes a bank." . . .
THROWBACK THURSDAY: Thistle’s ‘Seven Multisyllabic Mistakes in Preaching’ (1990)
In this "Epistle from Thistle," the columnist and correspondent describes (in his own unique way) "seven multisyllabic mistakes, or 'speaking faults,' preachers or, I suppose, any public speaker can make." . . .
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Barton W. Stone—Champion of the Word’ (1962)
Sam Stone wrote in 1962, "If the early leaders of the Restoration movement are like men engaged in a race, it might be said that Barton Warren Stone took an early lead, but was later passed by Alexander Campbell." Sam Stone contended that Barton Stone was deserving of greater appreciation . . . and he did so by presenting this "survey of his life." . . .
May 2, 2024
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘What Makes a Good Church Leader?’ (1968)
"God’s Word provides some rather explicit instruction concerning the basis for choosing church leaders," Sam E. Stone wrote in 1968. "Four basic principles are outlined in the opening verses of 1 Timothy 3." . . .
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Cloned in God’s Image’ (1984)
"In one sense Christians are clones," Virgil Felton wrote in 1984. "We are cloned in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). We are cloned by a new birth (John 3:5). We are cloned as new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). . . ."
April 18, 2024
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Isaac Errett as Author’ (1934)
When Isaac Errett [1820–1888] came into leadership in the Restoration movement there was need of a new type of literature. . . . His writings were more Scriptural and less theological, more practical and less philosophical. . . .
THROWBACK THURSDAY—’The Restoration Movement: Its Vitality, Quirks, and Needs in the 21st Century’ (2006)
The Restoration Movement is "not liberal, not really evangelical, not fundamentalist—as a group we are generally conservative, but not consistently so," LeRoy Lawson wrote in 2006. "In fact, critics could accuse us of not being consistently anything" . . .
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Prayers at the Table’ (1984)
"Is there a church that has no story to tell about prayers at the Lord’s table?" William S. Boice asked in 1984. "We of the New Testament order often find ourÂselves criticized by our denominational brethren of a more liturgical custom who find our somewhat casual approach to Communion to be nearly offensive. It bears thinking about." . . .
March 28, 2024
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Easter Church Attendance’ (1949)
"This Lord’s Day will find nearly all the churches having the largest crowds of the year," editor Burris Butler wrote in 1949. "It has become almost proverbial that many people attend church on Easter Sunday who never come at any other time" . . .
March 21, 2024
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘The Birth of the Restoration’ (Part 3; 1924)
"Not 1804, not 1809," Ira M. Boswell wrote in 1924, "but that day in January, 1832, when the union between the Disciples of Christ and the Christians was consummated, is the greatest date in religious history between Pentecost and now" . . .
March 14, 2024
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘The Birth of the Restoration’ (Part 2; 1924)
"Their [the Restoration pioneers'] troubles were many. There were enemies without and within," Ira M. Boswell wrote in 1924. "I shall not have time to notice them all, but will give my attention to those which prevailed before the union between the disciples of Christ and Christians" . . .
March 7, 2024
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘The Birth of the Restoration’ (Part 1; 1924)
"The nineteenth century dawned on an America that was far from Christian. Unbelief was prevalent and popular," Ira M. Boswell wrote in 1924. "The Bible was considered a dead book and the gospel powerless to save. Speaking to sinners concerning personal salvation was objectionable to pious believers, and looked upon as a personal interference with the plans of God." . . .
