
November 5, 2026
Not Just on Sunday
Lonetta McKee

Church Renewal | Christian Standard, August 2017 explores church turnaround, church planting, core values, leadership development, and Restoration Movement convictions.
Church Renewal | Christian Standard, August 2017 highlights stories, strategies, and reflections centered on helping churches move forward with fresh vision, stronger leadership, and renewed mission. Across feature articles, ministry insights, and practical leadership content, this issue explores how congregations can recover momentum, clarify values, and embrace the convictions that shaped the Restoration Movement.
The issue features the turnaround story of First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio, where renewed courage, clearer vision, and a commitment to excellence helped breathe new life into a historic congregation. It also tells the story of Eastpoint Christian Church in Portland, Maine, where Scott and Beth Taube followed God’s call to plant a Restoration Movement church in a state where none had been meeting. Rubel Shelly’s article, “Now More Than Ever,” reflects on the movement’s theological and practical DNA, while other pieces address network church planting, leadership development, core values, staff evaluation, and ministry rejuvenation.
Taken together, the visible contents show a strong emphasis on church renewal, church growth, and leadership health. This issue is especially useful for pastors, elders, and ministry teams preparing for a new season of service or rethinking how to strengthen their congregation’s culture and mission.
For readers researching church renewal, Christian Standard, August 2017 offers a rich snapshot of how churches can pursue growth, restoration, and faithful leadership without losing sight of biblical conviction and gospel purpose.
2-3 | Letter from the Publisher
Jerry Harris
6-7 | Letter from the Editor
Michael C. Mack
10-11 | Movement
4 Key Reasons Why Network Church Planting Is Succeeding
David Dummitt
12-14 | Metrics
Medium-Church Insights
Kent Fillinger
16-17 | Creative
Don’t Designate . . . Release Leaders!
Chuck Dennie
18 | To Be Restored: “Not the Only Christians”
Trevor Devage
20 | A New Lease on Life
First Christian Canton Comes Rushing Back
Ryan Rasmussen
26-31 | Feature Article
Flying Higher: The Eastpoint Story
Not a single Restoration Movement church met in Maine, until God called Scott and Beth Taube to plant a church!
32-37 | Now More Than Ever
Embracing the DNA That Created a Movement
Rubel Shelly
38 | Hitting the Target
Measuring Success Through Outputs
Tom Harper
44 | Leading Through Your Core Values
L.E. Mackenzie
48 | Evaluate Wisely!
6 church human-resource leaders share their best!
54 | Rejuvenate Your Ministry
Kelly Carr
58-61 | Headlines
Chris Moon
62-63 | Interact
64 | Communion Meditation
Man of Sorrows
Jackina Stark
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