Lessons for Missions from the Ministries of John G. Paton and Wang Ming-dao (王明道)

By Eric Beach | 12.20.2022

Christians don’t always recognize the importance of the local church and church polity to missions. Yet some of the great missionaries and evangelists of the past knew that building healthy churches was central to their work.

A Foolproof Discipling Program: Corporate Worship

By John Sarver | 9Marks Journal: The Church's Ministries | 12.15.2022

The Sunday gathering is the primary discipler of a local congregation because of what it proclaims and the pattern it sets.

Moving Away from Music-Specific Services

By Allen Duty | 9Marks Journal: The Church's Ministries | 12.15.2022

Music-specific services actively promote division in the body of Christ.

Why an Elder Should Oversee the Bookstall

By Josh Manley | 9Marks Journal: The Church's Ministries | 12.15.2022

When your church’s bookstall overseer isn’t feeding the sheep healthy food, they’re working against the digestion of the church’s entire teaching ministry.

Why Parents Are the Primary Spiritual Caregivers of Their Children

By Rhys Plant | 9Marks Journal: The Church's Ministries | 12.15.2022

Equip the saints for the work of the ministry by helping parents disciple their children toward maturity.

5 Steps for Preventing Abuse in Children’s Ministry

By Chad Holmgren | 9Marks Journal: The Church's Ministries | 12.15.2022

Given the prevalence of child abuse in our society, a church should never assume abuse could not happen in its children’s ministry.

Spotting, Assessing, and Training Leaders for Church Ministries

By Joel Kurz | 9Marks Journal: The Church's Ministries | 12.15.2022

We need to find and train leaders. But how?

How to Select Children’s Curriculum

By Mark Redfern | 9Marks Journal: The Church's Ministries | 12.15.2022

Don’t skimp on theology when it comes to your church’s curriculum for children. The ultimate goal is to help our children to know God.

Raising the Cane: Refreshing Your Seniors’ Ministry

By Will Pareja | 9Marks Journal: The Church's Ministries | 12.15.2022

Whether you’re a pastor or a deacon responsible for the care of senior saints, here are some suggestions on refreshing them in Christ.

How Small Groups Can Foster Church Unity . . . Or Destroy It

By Dave Russell | 9Marks Journal: The Church's Ministries | 12.15.2022

Small groups have the potential to be a tool for maintaining church unity—when they are led wisely.

Catering to Ministry Consumers

By Josh Hayward | 9Marks Journal: The Church's Ministries | 12.15.2022

What you feed people with is what they’ll continue to hunger for.

Why Pastors Should Oversee Women’s Ministry

By Camryn Zamora | 9Marks Journal: The Church's Ministries | 12.15.2022

When our pastors oversee women’s ministry, it doesn’t indicate distrust, but rather that when the wolves attack, the shepherds will bear the brunt, not the sheep.

Paul Was a Youth Pastor

By M. Redfern, S. Emadi | 9Marks Journal: The Church's Ministries | 12.15.2022

Paul teaches kids the Bible and applies it to their lives, teaches in a way that leads children back to the authority of their parents, and equips parents to effectively disciple their children.

Parachurch, Not Parachute: Advantages and Disadvantages of Extra-Church Bible Studies and Fellowships

By Sam Crites | 9Marks Journal: The Church's Ministries | 12.15.2022

The key to healthy parachurch ministry is to make sure its ultimate goal is to support and encourage healthy churches.

Our Main Goals for Youth Ministry

By Deepak Reju | 9Marks Journal: The Church's Ministries | 12.15.2022

Foster a culture of discipling with the teenagers. Build a bridge from the rest of the church into their lives.