Brian Franks, Author at The Artios Center for Vibrant Leadership

Understanding Gospel Indicatives and Imperatives

Brian Franks2022-08-03T15:42:46-06:00

By Caitlin Meadows “I’d like to be baptized someday but I don’t think I’m ready yet. I need more time.” I’ve heard statements along these lines several times. Those making this sort of statement wrongly believe that they must first be good enough before receiving the salvation that Christ offers them. Some have parents enforcing this false belief. Others grew up in congregations that focused more on how the Bible commands Jesus-followers to live and less (or not at all) on what Jesus Christ has already accomplished on their behalf. In effect, these individuals believe they have to fulfill gospel imperatives without first [...]

Understanding Gospel Indicatives and ImperativesBrian Franks2022-08-03T15:42:46-06:00

Justified by the Law or Saved by Grace?

Brian Franks2022-08-03T15:39:38-06:00

By Mike Wallace “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4). (All Scripture quotations are NKJV unless otherwise noted.) I tried. I tried very hard to get all 1,100 points. I failed. Forty years ago, in college I was a mediocre B- to C+ college student. I never got below a “C” in any class but getting an “A” was a very difficult goal for me to reach, except for history or physical education. Now, 40 years later I am in college again. Time value of growth and [...]

Justified by the Law or Saved by Grace?Brian Franks2022-08-03T15:39:38-06:00

A Visions for Christian Education in the Local Church- Part 3

Brian Franks2022-07-28T15:56:56-06:00

By Amber Riggs You see that three-year-old who can’t sit still during the sermon? The one whose daddy had to take him out of the worship gathering three times last week because he was being disruptive? Yeah…that one. Well, in 15 years he will be 18, graduating from high school and youth group. What if I told you that 18-year-old him can find any verse in the Bible in 8 seconds flat, tell you the author and theme of each book of the Bible, recite several long passages of Scripture, and discuss the many attributes of God at length? And he’s [...]

A Visions for Christian Education in the Local Church- Part 3Brian Franks2022-07-28T15:56:56-06:00

A Visions for Christian Education in the Local Church- Part 2

Brian Franks2022-07-28T15:55:28-06:00

By Amber Riggs Week after week, year after year, students of all ages – infant to elderly – take their seat to engage in some form of Christian education. And at the end of each Sabbath school class or Bible study, we stand up, walk out, and more often than not, quickly forget most of what we were supposed to have learned during that past hour. Is the purpose of Christian education simply to expose people to the Bible and keep their interest so that they leave with a smile on their faces? Or is it something more life altering? A [...]

A Visions for Christian Education in the Local Church- Part 2Brian Franks2022-07-28T15:55:28-06:00

A Visions for Christian Education in the Local Church- Part 1

Brian Franks2022-07-28T15:53:54-06:00

By Amber Riggs Once a year, the kids in my congregation’s Sabbath School classes are called to the front of the sanctuary. With smiles on their faces, they are given certificates and, in many cases, “promoted” to their new classes. On one particular Sabbath several years ago, I watched this ceremony with fear and trembling as it ushered in a new season of my “career” as a Sabbath school teacher. I had taught adult classes, teen classes, elementary school classes, and pre-K/K classes. However, I had most recently taught the 2-3-year-olds. And if teaching 3-year-olds wasn’t intimidating enough, all three of [...]

A Visions for Christian Education in the Local Church- Part 1Brian Franks2022-07-28T15:53:54-06:00

Always More to Learn: An Interview with Karen Stacy

Brian Franks2022-07-28T15:51:59-06:00

By Caitlin Meadows On Sabbath morning you’ll find Karen Stacy in her classroom captivating the group of busy, bustling children around her. Though small in stature herself, she maintains a balance of gentleness and command. Occasionally she’ll throw in a little song to help her students focus as they learn. Her goal? That each child will develop a deeper understanding of who Jesus Christ is and of their personal need for Him. For over forty years she has voluntarily devoted her time, energy, prayers, talents, and passion in this capacity. Children’s education, especially their Christian education, is her calling. Throughout her adult [...]

Always More to Learn: An Interview with Karen StacyBrian Franks2022-07-28T15:51:59-06:00

The Importance of Education

Brian Franks2022-07-28T15:49:56-06:00

By Noe Reyes My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children Hosea 4:6 KJV. This passage is one of the saddest from the Bible. It expresses the profound sadness and raw emotion of a Holy God who desires to be known by His people. From the beginning of time, the omnipotent and only God established the importance of education for his chosen ones. Because of this, he strongly recommended to the [...]

The Importance of EducationBrian Franks2022-07-28T15:49:56-06:00

The Business of Worship: Why Church Administration Isn’t Boring

Brian Franks2022-07-28T15:48:25-06:00

By Amber Riggs Few things are worth packing four children under the age of 10 into a vehicle and driving 2,058 miles across the country…and then back. Amazingly, for my family, four riveting days of – wait for it – church business meetings happens to be one of them. We have this belief that church business meetings are unique – and valuable – experiences of both worship and ministry. Particularly when they involve brothers and sisters in Christ from diverse ethnic, cultural, generational, and geographical backgrounds. Yes, I’m talking about a room full of hundreds of people taking turns at a microphone, making [...]

The Business of Worship: Why Church Administration Isn’t BoringBrian Franks2022-07-28T15:48:25-06:00

3 Keys to Communicating Christ

Brian Franks2022-07-28T15:46:44-06:00

By Caitlin Meadows Do you communicate with someone at least once a day? If so, you are a communicator. Are you a follower of Christ? If so, you are a leader. You are a leader because you were created and re-created to lead. You are a communicator because, well, we are all communicators. Every day you send and receive messages with those around you – your family, co-workers, neighbors, friends, and even strangers. In other words, you communicate. Unless you opt for the hermit life, communication is unavoidable. Through your various communications with those around you, you are leading each person to a conclusion about your life. So, as an influential [...]

3 Keys to Communicating ChristBrian Franks2022-07-28T15:46:44-06:00

What is Real Worship?

Brian Franks2022-07-20T13:40:23-06:00

By Esther Winchell In the life of a Christian, worship is a necessary discipline in developing a relationship with our Maker and Savior. HOW DID I LEARN ABOUT REAL WORSHIP? There were times before taking classes through Artios Christian College (formerly, LifeSpring School of Ministry) when I believed that worship was only what happened at church with the song service and corporate prayers. Boy, was I wrong! In addition to those thoughts, worship songs were slow and praise songs were upbeat because that was what I was taught. Wrong again! When I first began my studies, I could sense that I needed to [...]

What is Real Worship?Brian Franks2022-07-20T13:40:23-06:00

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