How Churches of Christ responded when the 1918 ‘Spanish flu’ killed millions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nashville saw its first case of the “Spanish flu” in late September 1918. By November, 1,300 had died — 1 percent of…
Perspective
Do our churches still benefit from our universities?
Churches of Christ enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with colleges and universities associated with the fellowship during the 20th century. A substantial number of alumni…
Thankful for an imperfect holiday
I love Thanksgiving. The first 10 years of my life were spent in a small farming community in northeastern Colorado where my parents moved just…
A spiritual prize fighter for the Lord
TERRELL, Texas — Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which…
Best practices for dismissing a minister
Somewhere in the unwritten but badly needed handbook for elders are three rules: 1. Do hard things well. 2. Do painful things kindly. 3. If…
Worst practices for dismissing a minister
Talking with ministers who have lost their jobs can feel repetitive. And depressing. The ministers don’t all paint themselves as perfect or without weakness or…
‘If this is ever not going well … would you please tell me?’
Ministers don’t come with a "good church-keeping seal of approval" or a money-back guarantee. They make mistakes, which should surprise no one. If Moses, Jonah,…
