News & Updates delivers timely reporting and important announcements relevant to church leaders and the Restoration Movement community. Explore articles covering ministry developments, events, organizational news, and updates that impact churches, leaders, and readers of The Christian Standard. You’ll find information on conferences, initiatives, partnerships, and significant stories shaping the life of the church today. Check back regularly to stay informed and connected to what’s happening across the movement and within The Christian Standard network.
April 1, 2024
A preacher’s wife and her acquaintance who left Hugoton, Kan., together on Saturday morning to pick up the second woman’s children haven’t been seen since. Missing are Jilian Kelley, 39, and Veronica Butler, 27. Jilian’s husband, Heath, has been serving with Hugoton First Christian Church, but recently was called to minister with Willow Christian Church in Indianola, Neb. . . .
March 27, 2024
Ozark Christian College has updated their logo. Also, briefs from Harlan (Ky.) Christian Church, Summit Christian College, and the Common Grounds Unity Podcast.
March 20, 2024
Register today for the RENEW.org National Gathering April 29-30 (prices go up on Thursday). Also briefs from Ozark Christian College and TCM, and sports briefs from Milligan University, Jessup University, and Great Lakes Christian College.
March 11, 2024
Cecil Todd, of Branson West, Mo., who served the Lord faithfully for 75 years, founded Revival Fires Ministry, and hosted a weekly television program that aired nationally for 20 years, died March 4, 2024, at age 92. . . .
March 6, 2024
ICOM offers an entire church/college family registration option. Plus, housing information is now available for the Nov. 14-16 conference in Lexington, Ky. . . . Plus briefs from Waypoint Church Planters, CMF, The Pressing On Conference (April 9-11), KCU, and more . . .
February 14, 2024
Work on First Christian Church’s $3.2 million tower repair project in Columbus, Ind., has been completed. The 166-foot-tall masonry tower is a key visual element of the church, of Modernist design, completed in 1942. . . . Also briefs from Georgia, Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas . . . and about Dr. Jerry Taylor being featured on a podcast.
February 1, 2024
Allan Dunbar, 84, who served as senior minister with Bow Valley Christian Church (formerly called Cambrian Heights Christian Church) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for 20-plus years, then served as president of Puget Sound Christian College in Seattle, and completed his professional career as executive director of the North American Christian Convention, died Jan. 28, 2024, in Kalispell, Mont., where he had resided for several years. . . .
January 31, 2024
Several conferences and gatherings are planned over the next few months, including the Pressing On Conference (April 9-11), e2: effective elders' LeadWell conference (March 15-16), the Fred B. Craddock Lectures on Preaching (March 27), FAME's Night of Hope Banquet (April 27), and the Spiritual Formation Leadership Summit (in April and May). . . .
January 24, 2024
There is still time to complete Christian Standard's Annual Survey of Churches. This survey of 2023 data is designed for every Restoration Movement church (Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ)—from the largest to smallest—and takes only a few minutes to complete . . .
January 24, 2024
A book by RENEW.org scholar Matthew Bates was selected as the top title in the Popular Theology category of Christianity Today's 2024 Book Awards. . . . Also a brief about a tragic auto accident in Illinois and a preview of the National Preaching Summit March 11-12 in Indianapolis. . . .
January 17, 2024
During 2023, NewThing was "able to start and sustain 1,059 church planting networks and helped plant 22,663 new churches!” according to the organization's annual report. . . . Also briefs about the Mid-Winter Rally for missionaries and Christians in Europe, the upcoming Preaching-Teaching Convention at Ozark Christian College, and more.
January 16, 2024
The Christian Standard Annual Survey of Churches is now available! We encourage all Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ to complete it by Friday, Jan. 26. It takes just a few minutes . . .
January 10, 2024
MACU Rwanda has graduated its first two students. Also briefs about Johnson University Florida, ICOM, a Woman's World Conference at Manhattan Christian College, and more. . . .
January 1, 2024
By Shawn McMullen I WRITE MY FIRST COLUMN AS EDITOR of Christian Standard with mixed emotions. As humbled and grateful as I am to have been given this opportunity to serve Christ and our fellowship of churches, I continue to mourn the loss of the former editor, my friend Mike Mack. When the sister magazines were given new life through the vision of The Solomon Foundation and Christian Standard Media, Mike and I worked together for three years. He edited this journal while I edited The Lookout. During that time Mike and I talked regularly, traveled together occasionally, and supported
December 29, 2023
After an interesting introduction to Christian publishing, Diane Stortz served in the field for 50 years, enjoying success as an editor, freelance writer, and author. She retired in 2023. (Former Christian Standard editor Mark A. Taylor, who served with Diane at Standard Publishing for several years, wrote this article.)
December 20, 2023
Briefs from ICOM, Orchard Group, Kentucky Christian University, Great Lakes Christian College, Johnson University, and more . . .
December 13, 2023
The discipleship group RENEW.org on Dec. 5-6 organized a conference for young leaders in Independent Christian Churches, noninstrumental Churches of Christ, and African American Churches of Christ in an effort to bring greater unity to major streams of the Restoration Movement. They gathered at Harding University. . . .
December 6, 2023
The 2024 Pressing on Conference will be take place in St. Charles, Mo., April 9-11. . . . Also, briefs from Mountain Christian Church, Common Grounds Unity Podcast, Great Lakes Christian College, and Hope International University . . . and the inductions of L.D. Campbell and Bill Greer into a hall of fame.
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May 13, 2026
Shawn McMullen
May 12, 2026
Rick Cherok
May 12, 2026
David Faust
