By Mark A. Taylor
“The people are the program.”
That advice to me from a mentor in ministry more than 30 years ago has proven true in one endeavor after another. It certainly applies to our work at Standard Publishing. Of course we’re concerned about methods, technology, and knowledge. But we know the best tools mean little without the right spirit among those who use them.
That’s why we’re glad to announce the latest addition to our Publishing Committee. Ben Cachiaras , minister with Mountain Christian Church, Joppa, Maryland, has the perspective and experience to make a real contribution.
In the eight or so years Ben has been at Mountain, the church has grown from about 900 to about 2,900; 65 percent of this growth has been through conversions. The congregation will give about 200 members to plant a new congregation in March.
Earlier ministries were in Tennessee and Minnesota. His education is from Minnesota Bible College (now Crossroads College) and Emmanuel School of Religion, where he’s finishing his DMin degree.
Ben has served widely with national boards and committees in our fellowship of churches, including as a contributing editor for Christian Standard. He grew up with Standard Publishing: his mom, Dot, has written curriculum and books for the company, and his dad, John, retired professor from Minnesota Bible College, has written for this magazine.
The Publishing Committee was founded about 50 years ago when ownership of the company passed from the heirs of Isaac Errett to Christian businessman John Bolten. The Committee’s responsibility has been to guarantee that Standard Publishing remain true to its historic roots in the Restoration Movement. They have done this, not by approving every word we publish, but, true to my mentor’s principle, by approving the people who serve in key policy making positions. We believe Ben is the right person to help our committee continue this oversight.
He replaces Richard Hogan , retired from ministry in Bella Vista, Arkansas, who served the Publishing Committee faithfully for 21 years. We regret to see Dick leave us; he has been a friend, prayer partner, wise counselor, and faithful servant. For 18 of his years, he was the committee’s secretary. We concur with his decision not to sacrifice responsibilities at home in favor of service with us, but we will truly miss him.
A new feature, starting today, will tell the stories of people who make our movement move. “Christian Standard Interview,” filling just one page every other week, will introduce you to people you know or ought to know. Every one of them has accomplished something unique in our fellowship. (Click here to view the first interview; Floyd Strater is the subject.)
Brad Dupray , who does marketing for Provision Ministry Group in Irvine, California, is bringing us the first several of these portraits. We believe you’ll be glad to learn more about the people he’s interviewing.
0 Comments