The Rules Have Changed

The Rules Have Changed is the cover theme of Christian Standard’s January 2020 issue, an edition focused on the business side of church. From the publisher’s opening reflection to the feature on fundraising, this issue examines how church leaders can think wisely about stewardship, structure, staffing, volunteer development, evaluation, and ministry strategy in a changing ministry landscape.

The January 2020 issue brings together articles on elder oversight, invitation and evangelistic culture, missions calling, women’s ministry, perseverance in ministry, fundraising, neighboring, reaching men, leadership training, volunteer mobilization, ministry evaluation, and church planting generosity. Ken Idleman’s feature on the senior pastor as fundraiser sets the tone for much of the issue, while additional articles explore what matters most in ministry, how churches can reach men and families, and how to prepare future leaders. Other pieces address objective ministry evaluation and Stadia Church Planting’s generosity-driven model.

Regular departments such as e2: Effective Elders, Metrics, Horizons, Polished, and MinistryLife help round out the issue with practical and personal ministry insight. Taken together, these articles show that faithful church leadership requires more than passion alone. Churches also need wise stewardship, healthy systems, intentional development, and a clear commitment to the mission of Christ. For pastors, elders, ministry staff, and volunteers, this January 2020 issue offers a practical look at how the business side of church can serve gospel ministry rather than distract from it.