Brian Franks, Author at The Artios Center for Vibrant Leadership

Our Work and Our Worship: Labor Day Reflections for Committed Disciples

Brian Franks2023-08-23T15:58:38-06:00

By Whaid Rose Talk of Floyd Martin, a Georgia mailman, filled the air as some 300 people gathered for the surprise block party planned to mark his retirement! Floyd was retiring after 35 years with the Postal Service, and the people celebrating him lived along the downtown Marietta route Floyd worked for the last 20 of those years. To these folks, Floyd was much more than a mailman. Each day he delivered positive energy and encouragement, even feeding the birds and animals as he did his work. So they decorated their mailboxes, raised money for Floyd’s getaway trip to Hawaii, and [...]

Our Work and Our Worship: Labor Day Reflections for Committed DisciplesBrian Franks2023-08-23T15:58:38-06:00

A Compelling Case for Contemporary Worship Songs

Brian Franks2022-07-11T10:07:37-06:00

By Israel Steinmetz I grew up singing old traditional hymns. I loved to worship singing them as a child and I love to worship singing them now. Few things draw me as quickly or closely to God’s presence as the simple, heartrending Near the Cross or the poetic strains of Be Thou My Vision. Yet I also love many of the contemporary songs being composed today. Sadly, people’s love for traditional or contemporary has often resulted in conflict and division within the Church. “Worship wars” rage on as people tout their tastes and preferences and all too often we act as though we are [...]

A Compelling Case for Contemporary Worship SongsBrian Franks2022-07-11T10:07:37-06:00

Why We Keep Singing Together: A Collective Response of Love to God

Brian Franks2022-07-11T10:03:18-06:00

By Andrea Slawson When I was in elementary school, I attended church with a friend quite often. I now know that she attended a Pentecostal church, totally flamboyant and outwardly charismatic! To me, a child around the age of 10 or so, this church was both fascinatingly addictive and terrifying all at the same time. They danced in the aisles, laid hands on you and prayed, probably even spoke in tongues (but I had no idea what that was back then). I was always scared that the minister was going to walk down that red carpeted aisle and point me out [...]

Why We Keep Singing Together: A Collective Response of Love to GodBrian Franks2022-07-11T10:03:18-06:00

Why We Keep Singing Together: A Timeless Act of Worship

Brian Franks2022-07-11T10:00:49-06:00

By Richard Palmer Why do we keep singing together? To provide a clear answer we must explore two fundamental aspects of worship: why we sing and why we assemble. Robert Webber states that “The first act of worship is to assemble the people. This is no mere human act lacking in theological significance. Rather, it is an act of divine initiative through which God calls the people to gather and in which the worshiping community is actualized.” 1 The Bible uses imagery in the Old and New Testaments showing God as a gatherer and shepherd of His people. Music was a vital part of [...]

Why We Keep Singing Together: A Timeless Act of WorshipBrian Franks2022-07-11T10:00:49-06:00

Why We Keep Singing Together: The Heart of Worship

Brian Franks2022-07-11T09:59:03-06:00

By Jason Brown Matt Redman penned these powerful opening words to the song, The Heart of Worship, in the late 1990s. These lyrics reflect what our attitude should be regarding worshiping together today: When the music fades All is stripped away And I simply come Longing just to bring Something that’s of worth That will bless your heart I’ll bring you more than a song For a song in itself Is not what you have required You search much deeper within Through the way things appear You’re looking into my heart… 1 When I think of worship, I immediately envision a congregation standing together [...]

Why We Keep Singing Together: The Heart of WorshipBrian Franks2022-07-11T09:59:03-06:00

Why We Keep Singing Together: Building Each Other Up

Brian Franks2022-07-11T09:57:23-06:00

By Loren Gjesdal My local church’s worship team is really tremendous. Vocals, drums, guitars, piano—all very talented. Yet they just can’t quite measure up to my favorite worship band and they rarely play any of the songs on my faves list. Don’t get me wrong, I like our pastor (oh, wait, I am the pastor) but he just can’t hold my interest like Louie Giglio. To experience the most impactful Sabbath worship I choose to stay home and view worship concerts on YouTube and stream the latest Giglio sermon on Facebook. It’s so restful! Isn’t that the purpose of the Sabbath anyway? Maybe this isn’t [...]

Why We Keep Singing Together: Building Each Other UpBrian Franks2022-07-11T09:57:23-06:00

Why We Keep Singing Together: Examining Our Approach

Brian Franks2022-07-11T09:56:01-06:00

By Michael Mancha Growing up in the current American Christian landscape, there are so many things that become staples of church and faith. They are so ingrained into the fabric of one’s faith that they are often inseparable from what is truly faith and what is a religious tradition. Singing corporately can become such a tradition that it tears away from its meaning and its tie to faith. This is the crossroads where we find ourselves. How do we navigate a universal function of the corporate body that our culture is slowly viewing with lessening fervor? Is singing in a church [...]

Why We Keep Singing Together: Examining Our ApproachBrian Franks2022-07-11T09:56:01-06:00

Baptism Debates: Worthwhile Questions to Consider — Part 2

Brian Franks2022-07-11T09:46:03-06:00

By Israel Steinmetz Water baptism has been consistently practiced by the Church throughout the entire history of the Christian faith. It is practiced by the vast majority of those who call themselves Christians—whether Protestant, Roman Catholic, or Eastern Orthodox. However, the method, subject, formulas, agent, effect and meaning of baptism have been issues of debate throughout Christian history, particularly since the time of the Protestant Reformation. If one seeks to understand or explain what baptism means they find themselves perplexed by a host of other questions that influence—to varying degrees—their answer to the question. In this two-part series we will explore six primary [...]

Baptism Debates: Worthwhile Questions to Consider — Part 2Brian Franks2022-07-11T09:46:03-06:00

Baptism Debates: Worthwhile Questions to Consider — Part 1

Brian Franks2022-07-11T09:43:44-06:00

By Israel Steinmetz Water baptism has been consistently practiced by the Church throughout the entire history of the Christian faith. It is practiced by the vast majority of those who call themselves Christians—whether Protestant, Roman Catholic, or Eastern Orthodox. However, the method, subject, formulas, agent, effect and meaning of baptism have been issues of debate throughout Christian history, particularly since the time of the Protestant Reformation. 1 Who may be baptized? Believers only, or infants as well? Who may baptize? Clergy or laity? What does baptism effect, that is, is it salvific or symbolic? Should the one being baptized have water sprinkled [...]

Baptism Debates: Worthwhile Questions to Consider — Part 1Brian Franks2022-07-11T09:43:44-06:00

The Church and Mental Health

Brian Franks2024-02-21T15:07:55-07:00

This webinar explores the ways an isolating event like COVID-19 have pushed mental health needs to the forefront in our culture. Join us as our panel of mental health professionals discuss topics of mental health such as: how leaders can move past the stigmas of mental health in their selves and those they serve, how to thrive and flourish in challenging circumstances, how to respond to serious mental health trauma and more. This webinar includes a downloadable handbook as well. You can register to view this webinar for free at: https://my.artioscollege.org/en/resources/23#resource *This webinar was made possible by donors who recognize [...]

The Church and Mental HealthBrian Franks2024-02-21T15:07:55-07:00

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