Additional Articles About the Church, Worship, Ministries, and GCI
“From him [Jesus Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:16)
What is the church?
- What Is the Church? by Michael Morrison
- Church: Some Assembly Required, by John Halford
- Leadership in the Church, by Joseph Tkach
- Cocoon or Community? by George Hague
What is the purpose of the church?
- Six Functions of the Church, by Joseph Tkach
- Upward, Inward and Outward in Words and Deeds, by Joseph Tkach
- Teamwork in the Church, by Joseph Tkach
- Why Be Concerned About Mission? by Joseph Tkach
What is worship?
- Responding to God With Worship, by Joseph Tkach
- Worshipping in Spirit and in Truth, by Joseph Tkach
- Baptism Pictures the Gospel, by Joseph Tkach
- The Three-Fold Meaning of the Lord’s Supper, by Joseph Tkach
What is Grace Communion International?
- Welcome to Our Fellowship
- Fact Sheet: GCI
- Fact Sheet: GCI Statement of Beliefs
- We’re Often Asked
- A Brief History of Grace Communion International
Here is an outline of additional articles in this large category. To jump to a topic, click on the appropriate link.
- The church, its mission, ministries and people
- Biblical principles of how the church is financed
- Worship, and worship calendar
- Church history
- Ministries
- Grace Communion International – our family of churches
The church, its mission, ministries and people
- Ministry Means Service, by Michael Morrison
- Leadership in the Church – An Examination of Eight Words, by Michael Morrison
- Responding to the Church With Teamwork, by Joseph Tkach
- Lay Members’ Role in the Early Church, by Donald Jackson
- The Pastor’s Calling, by Joseph Tkach
- The Church and Its Ministry, an essay by Gary Deddo
- The Church, the Kingdom, and Human Government, by Gary Deddo
- A New Generation of Leaders, by Joseph Tkach
- Books and Magazines Providing Clergy Family Support
- Burnout Prevention
- Caution Against Churches Endorsing Political Candidates
- Cell-Based Church: Community, Nurturing, Outreach, by Charles Calahan
- Edification or Building Up Through Cell Groups:, by Charles Calahan
- Small Groups or Cell Groups? by Charles Calahan
- Choose Your Future: What Options Are There for a Small Church?, by Michael Morrison
- Church Buildings and Church Growth, by Joseph Tkach
- Church: What’s on the Menu? by Brenda Steffen
- Connections for Clergy Family Support
- From the Cornfields to the City – How a Small Church Reinvented Itself, by Ken Williams
- A Generous Orthodoxy – a book review by Fraser Henderson
- Getting It Back to Front, by John Halford
- Give Me One Good Reason to Go to Church, by J. Michael Feazell
- Giving Honor and Love to Pastors, by Joseph Tkach
- God Brought My Heart to San Francisco, by Richard Roberts
- Grandma’s Old Church, by Bill Hall
- Intergenerational Ministry, by Ted Johnston
- Leading With Love, by Willard High
- Living Today, by Randall Bourchier
- Managing the Postmodern Church, an interview with Karl Moore
- Ministering to the Singles in Our Churches, by Rex dela Peña
- Ministry Coaching
- Ministry Marriage Enrichment
- Moving Mountains in Appalachia, by John Halford
- NAE Statement of Faith
- Our Upward, Inward and Outward Responsibilities, by Joseph Tkach
- Purposes of the Church, by Joseph Tkach
- Seeking a Center for the Church, by Joseph Tkach
- Should You Plant a Church? interview with Ed Stetzer
- Spiritual Gifts and Church Growth, by Joseph Tkach
- Ted and Me, and Anthony, Too: The Joy of Mentoring, by Greg Williams, Ted Johnston, and Anthony Mullins
- The Bi-vocational Pastor, by Siu Fung Wu
- The Church’s Leaky Basement, by John Halford
- The Communion of Saints, by Michael Morrison
- The Nature of Leadership in the Church
- The Quest for the Ideal Church
- Theater of the Imagination, by Kenda Tuner
- Time for New Trees, by Greg Williams
- Time for New Methods, by Greg Williams
- Turn-Key or Makeover? by Shane Bazer
- We Don’t Trust You, by Rick Shallenberger
- What Is an Evangelical? by Joseph Tkach
- What Makes a Church Grow? by Russell Duke
- Whatever Happened to Church Growth? an interview with Eddie Gibbs
- When We Fall Short, by Joseph Tkach
- Why Don’t More People Go to Church? by Ken Williams
- Why You Need the Church, by G. Albrecht
- Your Church Needs You, by Don Mears
Financial support for the church
- Money and worship
- Poverty and generosity
- A life of generosity
- Generosity as a way of life
- Three reasons to give
- How much is freedom worth?
- Stewardship involves all of life
- Stewardship: our lives are not our own
- Planting a seed for the gospel
- Give now, in a recession?
- A command Paul did not obey: a study of 1 Cor. 9
- The grace of giving: a study of 2 Cor. 8
- Rich in good works: 2 Cor. 9
For a 462-page PDF document that compiles many of these articles, click here.
Worship and worship calendar
- What Is Worship? A Survey of Scripture, by Michael Morrison
- Worship Looks Back, Looks Forward, by Joseph Tkach
- All for God’s Honor, Glory, and Praise, by Joseph Tkach
- What events are worth celebrating? by Don Mears
- The Church’s Worship Calendar
- Saved by his life, by Don Mears
- Why Our Worship Style Is Changing, by Joseph Tkach
- Form or Substance?
- Color Crazy, by Allen Andrews
- Is there only one right way to worship God?, by J.M. Feazell and R. Dick
- Saturday and Sunday: A Few Points to Consider About Worship Days
- Days Don’t Matter—or Do They? by Joseph Tkach
- Peace at Any Price? by Joseph Tkach
- Conflict at Rome, by Russell Duke, 1998
Christmas (celebrating the first advent of our Lord)
- Who Was Jesus Before His Human Birth? by Paul Kroll
- Eternally God’s Son?
- John 1: The Word Made Flesh, by Joseph Tkach
- God in the Flesh
- What Do You Mean — Jesus Is God?
- Who Jesus Really Was, by Paul Kroll
- The Dual Nature of Jesus Christ, by Ted Johnston
- A Study of the Incarnation, by Michael Morrison
- A Mystery Revealed, by Don Mears
- The Incarnation: The Greatest Miracle, by Don Mears
- What Jesus’ Incarnation Shows Us About What It Means to Be a Human, by Rick Shallenberger
- Genealogies of Jesus, by Joseph Tkach
- Matthew 1:1-16 – Forty-Two Men and Five Women, by Michael Morrison
- Matthew 1:18-23 – A Virgin Will Give Birth to a Son, by Michael Morrison
- Luke 1:1-38 – Announcing the King, by Michael Morrison
- Luke 1:39-80 – Two Songs of Praise, by Michael Morrison
- Luke 2:1-21 – A Savior Is Born, by Michael Morrison
- Luke 2:22-52 – What Child Is This?, by Michael Morrison
- The Birth of Jesus: A Story of Shame, by Joseph Tkach
- The Birth of Jesus: A Story of Hope, by Joseph Tkach
- The Real Christmas Miracle Story, by Paul Kroll
- The Miracle of Jesus’ Birth, by Keith Stump
- He Gave Himself, by G. Albrecht
- He Pitched His Tent, by G. Albrecht
- The Prince of Peace, by Joseph W. Tkach
- The Shepherd’s Story, by John Halford and J. Michael Feazell
- The Greatest Birth Story, by Tammy Tkach
- Emmanuel, Our Redeemer, by Tammy Tkach
- Celebrate Our Savior: A Bible Study by Michael Morrison
- The Meaning of Christmas, by Joseph Tkach
- The First Church Christmas, by Paul Kroll
- Christmas Past and Present in the Church, by Paul Kroll
- Christmas Light, by J. Michael Feazell
- The Light of Lights, by Rick Shallenberger
- Standing in the Light, by J. Michael Feazell
- I’m Dreaming of a Quantum Christmas, by John Halford
- Truce on Earth, Good Will Toward Men, by John Halford
- Using Christmas to Teach Children About Jesus, by Ted Johnston
- The Second-Best Christmas Gift, by Mathew Morgan
- What Does Jesus Want for Christmas?
- Discovering Handel’s Messiah, by John Halford
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, by Steve Schantz
- Oh Come, All Ye Wasteful, by Tammy Tkach
- Merry Christmas, by Joseph Tkach
- HolidayGreetings.com, by Brenda Steffen
- The Tree, by J. Michael Feazell
- Responding to a controversy about Christmas:
- Is Christmas a Sin?, by Ralph Orr
- Does God Hate Christmas? by Joseph Tkach
- When Was Jesus Born?
- The Date of Jesus’ Birth, by Joseph Tkach
- Does It Matter When Jesus Was Born?, by Joseph Tkach
- Paganism — Where Should Christians Draw the Line? by Michael Morrison
- Once Pagan, Always Pagan?
- Paganism, Pagans and Pagan Customs, by Ralph Orr
- A Call for Tolerance on Christmas, by Joseph Tkach
Holy Week
- Articles about the death of Jesus
- Celebrate the Spring Festivals, by Joseph W. Tkach
- Palm Sunday, by Joseph Tkach
- The Hero Who Wouldn’t, by Michael Morrison
- A New Look at Passion Week, by Rick Shallenberger
- Maundy Thursday and “Holy Week”, by Paul Kroll
- When Did Jesus Eat the “Last Supper”?
- Why Remember the Crucifixion? by Michael Morrison
- Commemorating the Crucifixion, by Joseph Tkach
- Appreciating Christ’s Sacrifice, by Joseph Tkach
- Don’t Cry for Jesus, by Gary Deddo
- Good Friday and Easter Sunday, by Joseph Tkach
Easter
- Jesus—Alive Forevermore! by Michael Morrison
- He’s Alive! by J. Michael Feazell
- Evidence of the Resurrection, by Michael Morrison
- The Power of the Resurrection
- The Empty Tomb – What’s in it for You? by John Halford and Joseph Tkach
- Jesus’ Resurrection Pictured in the Old Testament, by Joseph Tkach
- He Is Risen! (a series of seven articles):
- Rejoice! Jesus has risen! a Bible Study, by Michael Morrison
- Easter in the Church, by Paul Kroll
- Easter Sunday, by Joseph Tkach
- Three R’s for Easter, by Joseph Tkach
- Celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, by Don Mears
- Responding to a controversy about Easter:
- Should Christians Celebrate / Is It a Sin to Observe Easter? by Joseph Tkach
- What Does Jesus Have to Do With Easter? by Ralph Orr
- The Passover-Easter-Quartodeciman Controversy, by Ralph Orr
- A Call for Tolerance on Easter, by Joseph Tkach
The Ascension
- Celebrating Jesus’ Ascension, by Joseph Tkach
- Resurrection and Ascension: What it Means to be ‘in Christ’ by Neil Earle
- The Ascension and the Return of Christ, by Michael Morrison
- Jesus’ Benediction, by Joseph Tkach
Pentecost
- Pentecost: power for the gospel, by Joseph Tkach
- Pentecost — for the church today, by Joseph Tkach
The sacraments — rites commanded by Christ
Baptism:
- Should Believers Be Baptized? by Joseph Tkach
- Baptism Pictures the Gospel, by Joseph Tkach
- Baptism: Commemorating Christ’s Commitment to Us
- A Good Way to Go, by Tony Goudie
- Infant Baptism
The Lord’s Supper (Communion):
- Partaking of the Promises, by Joseph Tkach
- The Three-Fold Meaning of the Lord’s Supper, by Joseph Tkach
- The Lord’s Supper Reminds Us of God’s Love, by Joseph Tkach
- In Remembrance of What? by John Halford
- Your Part in the Lord’s Table by Norman Shoaf
- The “Bread of Heaven” by Don Mears
- The Name of the Lord’s Supper, by Ralph Orr
- How Often Should We Participate in the Lord’s Supper? by Michael Morrison
- Is Eating the Lamb of God Only an Annual Event? by Don Mears
- Celebrating the Lord’s Supper at Home
- Question & Answers About the Lord’s Supper
Church history
- Early Church History: A Broadening Perspective, by Neil Earle
- The Need for “Depth Perception” in Church History, by John Halford
- Pentecost: The Birth of the Church, by Paul Kroll
- Irenaeus and the Second-Century Church, by Paul Kroll
- Persecution, Penance and “the Lapsed”, by Paul Kroll
- Easter in the Church, by Paul Kroll
- The Passover-Easter-Quartodeciman Controversy, by Paul Kroll
- The Road to Nicaea, and Beyond, by Neil Earle
- Is Jesus Really God? A Look at the Arian Controversy, by J. Michael Feazell
- Jesus Christ of ‘One Substance with the Father’, by Paul Kroll
- The Nicene Creed, by Michael Morrison
- The Trinitarian Roots of the Nicene Creed, by Ted Johnston
- Athanasius Lists the New Testament Writings, by Paul Kroll
- The First Church Christmas, by Paul Kroll
- Christmas Past and Present in the Church, by Paul Kroll
- Augustine “Father” of the Western Church, by Paul Kroll
- The Council of Chalcedon and the “Two Natures” Controversy, by Paul Kroll
- The Apostles’ Creed, by Michael Morrison
- Three Historic Christian Creeds, by Michael Morrison
- How Russia Became Christian, by Paul Kroll
- The Great Schism of the Church, by Paul Kroll
- William Tyndale and the Birth of the English Bible, by Paul Kroll
- When Astronomy Became a Theological Football, by Paul Kroll
- Fasting and Repentance After the Salem Witch Trials, by Paul Kroll
- The Great Awakening, by Paul Kroll
- Mary Jones and the First Major Worldwide Bible Society, by Paul Kroll
- The African-American Church in America, by Paul Kroll
- Black History Month: An Interview With Curtis May
- William Wilberforce: Christian Abolitionist, Reformer, Statesman, by Paul Kroll
- The Great Disappointment, by Paul Kroll
- William Seymour and the Rise of Pentecostalism, by Paul Kroll
- The Protestant Church in Hitler’s Germany and the Barmen Declaration, by Paul Kroll
- Karl Barth: “Prophet” to the Church, by Paul Kroll
- One ‘Mere Christian’ in Church History Clive Staples Lewis, by Paul Kroll
- Vatican II and the Future of Church Unity, by Paul Kroll
- The Life and Times of Martin Luther King, Jr., by Paul Kroll
- Billy Graham: Evangelist to the World, by Paul Kroll
Youth ministry
- Modification, formation, reformation in youth ministry, by Steve Argue and Dave Livermore
- Evangelizing postmodern youth, by Mark Tittley
- Organizing non-Christian youths into the church, by Mark Tittley
- What is youth ministry? by Jeb Egbert
- How to make your congregation youth-friendly, by Ted Johnston
- Youth ministry: the importance of prayer, by Jeb Egbert
- Youth ministry must be spiritual, by Jeb Egbert
- Youth ministry values and mission, by Ted Johnston
- Back to the future of youth ministry, by Mark Cannister
- Youth ministry: playing as a team, by Kara Eckmann Powell
- Teen ministry: rethinking our paradigm, by David Smith
- Loving God: foundation for youth ministry, by Jeb Egbert
- Youth ministry and the great commission, by Ted Johnston
- Equipping our youths for peer evangelism, by Ted Johnston
- Nurturing young believers, by Ted Johnston
- Disciplemaking includes equipping workers, by Jeb Egbert
- Youth ministry includes developing young leaders, by Jeb Egbert
- Confessions of a Youth Evangelist, by Greg Williams
- A series on building young believers (CANS):
- Nurturing Young Believers, by Ted Johnston
- Building young believers through community, by Ted Johnston
- Building young believers through adoration, by Jeb Egbert
- Building young believers through nurture, by Ted Johnston
- Building young believers through serving, by Jeb Egbert
- A series on discipling teens:
- Foundations of disciplemaking ministry, by Ted Johnston
- Creating an atmosphere of love, by Jeb Egbert
- The adoration of Christ, by Ted Johnston
- Prayerful dependence, by Jeb Egbert
- Communication of the Word, by Ted Johnston
- Creating a biblical group image in your youth ministry, by Jeb Egbert
- Having a “commitment to contact” in your youth ministry, by Ted Johnston
- Conclusion, by Ted Johnston
- The value of youth camps:
- How camps support healthy youth ministries, by Jeb Egbert
- A Week to Change Your Life
- So Why Go to Camp? by Greg Williams and Rick Shallenberger
Children’s ministry
- Emphasis on Ministry to Children, by Ted Johnston
- Developing a Children’s Ministry (comprehensive manual by Victoria Feazell)
- Equipping Children for Ministry, by Ted Johnston
- Involve Children in Your Life, by Ted Johnston
- Nurturing Believing Children, by Ted Johnston
- Let Little Children Come, by Joyce Catherwood
- Seeking Lost Children, by Ted Johnston
- Send Us Some Children – A Story of Transformation, by John Peterson
- Using Christmas to Teach Children About Jesus, by Ted Johnston
- BRING the children: a series on effective children’s ministry, by Ted Johnston
For articles about child-rearing, click here.
Women in ministry
- Women of Faith, by Sheila Graham
- Women Who Spoke the Word of God, by Michael Morrison
- Women in Leadership, by Michael Morrison
- Paul’s Policy on Women: Three Key Questions, by Michael Morrison
- Does the Bible Allow Women to Be Pastors? by Michael Morrison
- Study papers on the role of women in ministry:
- Women in leadership—an introduction
- The nature of leadership in the church
- Men and women in Genesis 1-3
- Women in the books of Moses
- Women from the Conquest to the Exile
- Women in the teachings of Jesus
- Women in the ministry of Jesus
- The all-male apostles
- Women in the early church
- Women who pray or prophesy (1 Cor. 11:3-16)
- “Women should remain silent” (1 Cor. 14:34-35)
- Questions about 1 Timothy 2:11-15:
- Questions About 1 Timothy 2:11-15 – Endnotes
- Conclusion: Biblical Teaching and Modern Application
- All 11 study papers in one PDF document
- Denominational Support
- Connections (a journal for women in ministry and ministry wives)
Short-term missions
- Crossing Borders – Camp With a Mission, by Lee Berger
- Crossing Borders 2011 – Muchas Gracias, by Lee Berger
- Crossing Borders Summer Trip 2015, by Lee Berger
- Hope Floats, by Brenda Plonis
- Watching God Work in the Philippines, by Michael Morrison
- Is a Short-Term Mission Worth It? by Michael Morrison
- Mission Bound
- So How Did It Go?
- Vacation or Mission? by Janet Morrison
- Mozambique Adventure, by Tim Maguire
- Waters of Life, by Tim Maguire
- Small Change Leads to Big Mission, by Rick Shallenberger
- Worth a Million Words, by Mike Swagerty
- Little Stars: A Story of Faith, Love and Vision From Thailand, by John Halford
- School in Thailand Expands
Grace Communion International — our family of churches
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- Welcome to Our Fellowship:
- A Brief Introduction to Grace Communion International
- To Know and Do the Will of God
- This Is Eternal Life
- Those Called Together
- Our Mission: to Disciple
- Our Values
- The Good News
- About Our Founder
- Where We Have Been; Where We Are Going
- Worship in Grace Communion International
- A Closer Look
- You Believe, Now You Want to Belong
- Jesus Knows What You’re Going Through
- Fact Sheet: GCI
- Fact Sheet: GCI Statement of Beliefs
- GCI Membership in Evangelical Organizations
- GCI Mission, Vision and Objectives
- Our Mission and Vision
- Our Mission and Ministries
- Our Story
- Our Values, Emphasis, and Ministries
- Home Office Mission, Values and Objectives
- GCnext Mission
- The GCI Statement of Beliefs
- We’re Often Asked
- Transformed by Christ: A Brief History of Grace Communion International
- Educational Institutions Associated With GCI
- Intern Program
- Statement of Financial Stewardship
- What’s in a Name? by John Halford
- A Case of Mistaken Identity, by Joseph Tkach
- We Are Growing in Important Ways, by Joseph Tkach
- Underlining Life, by Geoffrey Miller
- Ways to Give
- GCI Regions:
- Africa
- Americas
- Asia
- Australia
- Europe
Resources for GCI members and pastors
- U.S. Church Administration Manuals
- Code of Ethics for Elders
- Ceremonies for Pastoral Use:
- Media from GCI conferences:
- Printable Pamphlets
- Life Club Manual
- Speech Club Manual:
- Graduate Club Manual – Introductory Articles; Speeches 1-6
- Transformed by Truth (a book by Joseph Tkach):
- Foreword
- Introduction
- Is This a Con?
- Christmas Eve Sermon, 1994
- My Pilgrimage
- The Right Hand of Fellowship
- Conspiracy Theories and Rejection
- A Servant of the People
- What We Believed
- The First Reforms
- The Central Plank Cracks
- What’s All This “Jesus Stuff”?
- How Could We Have Believed These Things?
- The Enigma of Herbert W. Armstrong
- From Eternity to Here
- Photos (click on each number): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Roots of the Worldwide Church of God
- Worldwide Church of God Organizational Splits
- Doctrinal Differences and Similarities Between Religious Groups
- Eighteen “Truths” Restored by Herbert Armstrong
- Doctrinal Errors in Herbert Armstrong’s Mystery of the Ages
- Doctrinal Comparisons – Three Sects
- Additional articles about GCI’s transformation in the 1990s:
- Forgive Us Our Trespasses
- A Church Reborn
- From the Fringe to the Fold
- When Your Church Says It’s Wrong
- How the Worldwide Church of God Found the Truth of the Gospel
- NAE Accepts Worldwide Church of God
- Open Arms: Welcoming the Worldwide Church of God
- A Glimpse of the Journey
- Global Lessons From the Worldwide Church of God
- Books About Our Doctrinal Transformation
- Welcome to Our Fellowship:
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