Articles by Randall E Howard

After 32 years of ministry and teaching on almost every subject imaginable from the Scriptures, I am still amazed at some of the mindsets and practices of Christians in the church. The retention level in the 21st century church seems to be lower than ever and when you add the ‘hit and miss’ habit of church attendance to it, it is no wonder that people do not know, learn and grow. I have finally come to the conclusion that you can never assume that people are connecting with what you are communicating. While I could deal with any number of issues that would make a good example, I want to address the sacraments. Recently, I delivered a very detailed teaching on the importance of Baptism and Communion as sacred acts commanded in Scripture. I shared that baptism is when our faith goes public and while it is not something that saves us, it is an expression of our salvation and an entry way into the body of Christ. I also dealt with the fact that it is something that precedes one’s part...

NEW TESTAMENT PATTERN OF GIVING By Wayne Jackson It is a strange phenomenon in today’s church. It is recognized widely that there are rules regulating worship. This is acknowledged in virtually every area of church activity—except in one’s “giving.” Many know how the music portion of the worship is to be conducted (with a cappella singing). Not a few understand the proper communion elements (bread and fruit of the vine), along with the day and frequency for the observance of the supper (each Sunday). They would vigorously, and correctly, protest any presumptuous alteration of these ordinances. But some appear to think there are no regulations for giving. With many, there is almost a “design-your-own-system” procedure, along with a flippant “it’s-nobody’s-business-what-I-do” disposition. If the Lord has prescribed a pattern for what we do in other acts of worship, is it reasonable to presume that he left the matter of “giving” as an entirely optional feature—or at best ve...

Despite living in the 21st century, our greatest example of a teacher is from the first century. He is, of course, the Lord, Jesus Christ! He showed us how to actually relate to people, engage them and guide them to being the best they could be. He wasn’t a directive type of teacher who monologued people to death but rather encouraged dialogue. He did so by drawing His disciples into experiential learning. He empowered His disciples to participate and create solutions. He spoke in narratives and metaphors to articulate truth and He painted pictures with words that enlivened the mind and heart. Jesus made room for His disciples to connect through conversation even when there was disagreement and debate. This is the kind of teacher and leader that is needed today, especially when dealing with the Millennials and Generation X. Every generation has had unique characteristics that required certain leadership methods. Of course, there are similarities in every generation as well. But it...

The concept of community is quite powerful. It is woven throughout the Scriptures and is certainly something very dear to the heart of God.   We find early on in the history of the church an intense focus on community. Acts 2:44-47 says, “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45  And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46  And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” It is interesting to note that the community that emerged in the book of Acts did so as a result of CAUSE. If you remember, Jesus had earlier told a great host of people in Acts chapter one, verse eight to return to Jerusalem and wait there for the Holy Spirit. When He (the Holy Spi...