
November 5, 2026
Not Just on Sunday
Lonetta McKee

Christian Standard’s December 2019 issue focuses on children’s ministry, exploring curriculum, family discipleship, church practices, and Standard Publishing’s lasting influence.
Children’s Ministry is the clear focus of Christian Standard’s December 2019 issue, an edition devoted to the church’s responsibility to disciple children and equip the adults who lead them. From the opening letters through the feature package and practical ministry articles, this issue explores how churches can teach children the Bible, support families, strengthen volunteers, and build ministries that help the next generation follow Jesus.
The feature, “Growing Up with Standard Publishing,” traces the history and continuing legacy of Standard Publishing’s children’s ministry resources, including Sunday school curriculum, Vacation Bible School materials, teacher training, and children’s books. The issue also presents a wide-ranging package on children’s ministry today, with examples from churches of different sizes, reflections on ministry space and safety, family ministry, curriculum decisions, and long-term changes in the field over the last 25 years.
Christian Standard’s December 2019 issue is especially useful for pastors, elders, children’s ministry leaders, volunteers, and parents. Articles consider the importance of investing in children’s ministry, involving parents as primary spiritual influencers, and creating environments where children can grow in faith with biblical depth and practical support. Taken together, this issue offers a thoughtful snapshot of children’s ministry in late 2019 while also preserving the history of Standard Publishing’s influence on generations of churches and families.
2-3 | Letter from the Publisher
Sacred Responsibility, Sacred Trust
Jerry Harris
6-7 | Letter from the Editor
The Profound Impact of Parents Who Seek God
Michael C. Mack
10-11 | e2: Effective Elders
Children Matter . . . All Year Long
Gary L. Johnson
12-14 | Metrics
I’ll Be (Living at) Home for Christmas
Kent Fillinger
15-17 | Imagine
Dying Mall Becoming Marketplace for Church to Serve Community
Mel McGowan
18-19 | MinistryLife
The Jewel Tree
Daniel Schantz
20-22 | Horizons
Innovative Disciple-Making Using Social Media
Laura McKillip Wood
24-35 | Feature
Growing Up with Standard Publishing
Margie Redford
36-47 | Best Practices: Children’s Ministry
A Passion for Reaching More [Megachurch]
Pam Siddle
Historic Church Savors Growth [Medium/Large Church]
Justin Horey
Love and Longevity [Small Church]
Melissa Wuske
The Team It Takes [Multisite Church]
Kathy Ives
48-53 | 7 Trends in Children’s Ministry Space Today
Dave Milam
54-57 | Family Ministry: Re-Engaging Parents to Be the Primary Influencers of Their Children
Becky Drish
58-65 | Curriculum Decisions
Kelly Carr
66-71 | 25 Years of Changes and Challenges in Children’s Ministry
Teresa Welch
72-73 | Interact
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