Church Life Archives - Page 5 of 10 - The Artios Center for Vibrant Leadership

Why be a Leader in the General Conference?

Brian Franks2022-08-03T16:17:18-06:00

By Jacquelyn Scott Why Be a Leader in the General Conference? Read more to find out why. When I first started taking classes through LifeSpring School of Ministry (now Artios Christian College), my main motivation was to learn more about the Bible. After the first semester, I realized that I could be a support to the leaders of my local church and of assistance to others in the congregation if I took more classes. People were coming to me for advice, so I decided that I needed to be better equipped in knowledge and spirituality. EVERY MEMBER IS A POTENTIAL LEADER Now, after taking [...]

Why be a Leader in the General Conference?Brian Franks2022-08-03T16:17:18-06:00

Restored and Re-Storied: An Interview with Mary DeMuth

Brian Franks2022-08-03T15:59:30-06:00

By Caitlin Meadows Recently, I discovered a woman named Mary DeMuth. She is an author (of 31 books, so far), a public speaker, and the host of a podcast. Her message is simple but profound: Jesus Christ has taken her broken past and restored her to Himself. In doing so, He has also re-storied her, showcasing His beauty and might through her former heartache and suffering. God has restored and re-storied her and He is eager to do the same for the rest of us. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new [...]

Restored and Re-Storied: An Interview with Mary DeMuthBrian Franks2022-08-03T15:59:30-06:00

Why be a Leader in the Church?

Brian Franks2022-08-03T15:57:34-06:00

By Daniel Aleman When you answer the call to be a leader in your church denomination, you will find your place among others who serve Christ. This article is focused on the denomination of the General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh Day) or COG7, but the points of the article that focus on serving in your church and the challenges Christian churches face today may be applied to all Christian denominations. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,”[1] are words many Christians have heard throughout their years attending worship services. Most could even recite the words of Jesus [...]

Why be a Leader in the Church?Brian Franks2022-08-03T15:57:34-06:00

How Can Our Church Serve Our Community at this Time?

Brian Franks2022-08-03T15:54:51-06:00

By Janna Wiley EIGHTY-SEVEN. OCHENTA Y SIETE. OCTOGINTA SEPTEM. KANAWALUKUMAMĀHIKU. That number is meaningful in my Family. That number keeps growing. It represents the number of days my family has been sheltering in place, selectively going outside, and starting the social distancing of what is the “new normal” in our country. But, there is another number that I want to talk about today. How can our church serve our community at this time? TWENTY-SEVEN No, it’s not my age, it’s not a birthday, nor a code. This number is the total number, so far, that my local church has delivered care [...]

How Can Our Church Serve Our Community at this Time?Brian Franks2022-08-03T15:54:51-06:00

It’s Not Okay for Kids to be Bored in Church

Brian Franks2022-08-03T15:52:44-06:00

By Israel Steinmetz I baptized my three oldest kids in 2015. It’s incredible to watch them worship together with the local body of Christ they’ve become a part of. I love worshipping with my kids. Whether at home or with our church, there’s something awesome about joining them in song to our Creator and Redeemer. Last week in service I held my four year old’s hand as we sang together. I looked across the aisle at three of my other children as they praised alongside their friends. My middle school daughter stays through the entire service, taking copious sermon notes and [...]

It’s Not Okay for Kids to be Bored in ChurchBrian Franks2022-08-03T15:52:44-06:00

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 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

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