Reading Time: 2 minutes
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 . . .
News
Why the Restoration Plea Is Still Valid
Reading Time: 3 minutes
“Minister shortages. Closing churches. Struggling theology schools,” The Christian Chronicle wrote in a recent editorial. “All are happening in Churches of Christ in the U.S., which raises the question: Is the restoration plea still valid?” . . .
THROWBACK THURSDAY: McGarvey’s Address at the Graves of Veteran Preachers in Kentucky (1909; Part 1)
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Christians gathered at The Lexington Cemetery in 1909 to hear J.W. McGarvey offer his recollections of eight “pioneer preachers” who are buried there, including John T. Johnson, Raccoon John Smith, Robert Milligan, and more. (Part 1)
News Briefs for January 10
Reading Time: 3 minutes
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. . . .
Tavriski Christian Institute Restores Damaged Homes in Kherson, Ukraine
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Tavriski Christian Institute evacuated Kherson, Ukraine, soon after the Russian invasion in 2022, but TCI did not abandon the people of Kherson. TCI has helped evacuate hundreds from that area, and it continues to feed people there and help with recovery from a flood. . . .
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Small Is Beautiful’ (1981)
Reading Time: 5 minutes
“Someone ought to say a good word for the small church,” Joseph H. Dampier wrote in 1981. “The reported observation of Abraham Lincoln that the Lord must love the common people because He made so many of them could be applied to small churches because there are so many of them.” . . .
Diane Stortz: Reflecting on 50 Years of Service in Christian Publishing
Reading Time: 6 minutes
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.)
The One Thing They Couldn’t Steal
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Today, in the final of six Christmas memories that Christian leaders so generously shared with us this season, Christian writer and speaker Seana Scott describes how her family tried to make the best of a nightmare situation. Merry Christmas to all!
‘The Spirit of Christmas Eve’ (1906)
Reading Time: 2 minutes
In this excerpt from a 1906 essay, Anna D. Bradley responded to a correspondent who contended that Christmas Day was “handed down from heathendom.” . . .