Articles
Reactivating the inactive member
The inactive church member is perhaps the most neglected aspect of the total church program, yet he symbolizes one of the greatest untapped resources for strengthening the local church. Here MINISTRY editor J.R. Spangler interviews Dr. John S. Savage, who as director of LEAD Consultants has developed a successful program to tap this largely overlooked resource.
Preach the Word
Blessing motorcycles, issuing trading stamps, raffling whiskey, or any number of strange innovations can never substitute for the church's clear task. The churches that are growing and healthy are those that are more concerned to follow God's guidelines than to adapt themselves to the feelings and desires of sinners.
Did Jesus Intend to return in the first century?
When the disciples questioned Jesus about the timing of His prediction concerning Jerusalem's fall, He responded with a prophetic discourse that seems to link His second coming with that first-century event. Did He really intend to return that soon? Was He simply mistaken? How are we to understand His words?
Is the moving van coming?
Moving to a new pastorate is never easy, but it can be made much less complicated and traumatic with just a little forethought. Here are some suggestions for making life a great deal simpler for the one who follows you. And you can hope that the one you follow will do the same for you.
Put electronics to work In your church
Recent advances in electronic technology have done more than make it possible for teen-agers to play video games. New devices, as well as improved capabilities for familiar equipment, are opening up all sorts of opportunities for the local church to use. And the cost is often surprisingly affordable.
Elected for life?
Is it in the best interest of the church for a person to remain in a leadership position for decades simply because he has avoided serious mistakes and egregious blunders?
Adventists: heading for schism?
Christianity Today reports that theological differences are moving Seventh-day Adventists closer to a split MINISTRY points out some errors of fact and gives its view of what the issues really are.
The rebuke of the waters
Should Psalm 104:6-9 be connected with the Flood rather than with the Creation event? Some creationists say Yes and others say No. A look at its proper context provides us with the answer.
Shepherdess: Ultimate Priorities
Introducing the Christian faith to one's children is something like a relay race. The most critical time comes at the passing of the baton. Once it has been successfully passed, the runner rarely drops it.