Series: News

July 26, 2019

Christian Standard

HLC Warns It Might Pull Cincinnati Christian University’s Accreditation

Cincinnati Christian University’s accrediting organization, the Higher Learning Commission, has issued a “Show-Cause Order” giving CCU one year to “demonstrate why its accreditation should not be withdrawn.” During the one-year period, which began June 27, credits and degrees earned at CCU will be fully accredited by HLC, though the accrediting body, in its order, cautioned that “all colleges and universities define their own transfer and admission guidelines” and advised current students of CCU to “contact any institution they plan to attend in the future” to better understand their institutional policies. According to a July 22 statement by CCU’s board of

July 24, 2019

Christian Standard

Antioch Christian Continues to Cope with Death of Pastor

By Chris Moon Antioch Christian Church in Marion, Iowa, has spent the past month doing what few churches ever have had to do—grieve the sudden death of its longtime pastor. John Seitz Sr. had served at Antioch for nearly two decades when he began to suffer from poor health following an overseas trip in January 2018. Seitz had been battling an infection, and doctors were looking for a cause. The pastor had not preached a lot this year after his church elders granted him an extended break to rest and heal. But his health continued to deteriorate. He passed away

July 24, 2019

Christian Standard

Henry Retires after Serving First Christian in Kenosha for 40 Years (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman Brian Henry, 66, preached his final two sermons Sunday and retired after serving 40 years with First Christian Church, Kenosha, Wis. Through the years, Henry served as preaching minister, senior minister, and minister of pastoral care. Nancy, his wife of 45 years, “closed her classroom down last week,” Brian Henry told the Kenosha News. “She taught kids her whole life since she was 12 years old”; closing out her ministry “was devastating for her.” Henry talked about the changes and tough decisions First Christian has made during his tenure there, including leaving their

July 17, 2019

Christian Standard

Executive Pastor Online Aims to Fill a Gap for Smaller Churches

By Chris Moon Kevin Stone wants to be the executive pastor many churches want but simply can’t afford to hire. Years ago, the executive pastor at Christ’s Church of the Valley in Royersford, Pa., began thinking about how he could serve small and midsized churches that simply don’t have the capacity to hire ministers to manage their operations and administration. So in 2006, he founded the first iteration of what has become known as Executive Pastor Online. “The site is your online executive pastor,” Stone said. “The idea is to provide that skill set and those fundamental concepts to the

July 17, 2019

Christian Standard

DeWelt to Lead College Press as Company Turns 60 (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman Chris DeWelt, who has served with College Press Publishing for many years, became president and publisher of the company on July 1. DeWelt is the son of Don DeWelt, who started College Press in 1959. The Joplin, Mo.-based company is marking its 60th anniversary providing Bible-based material to Christian leaders and students. Chris DeWelt served eight years on the mission field in Chile before returning to the United States and working with his father until Don DeWelt’s death in 1991. Since that time, Chris DeWelt has served with College Press in various capacities,

July 10, 2019

Christian Standard

Friend of WJU Named Top CEO in America (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Jim Nieman Pat Gelsinger, whose association with William Jessup University, Rocklin, Calif., goes back many years, recently was named “Best CEO in America.” Bloomberg reported that Gelsinger, chief executive officer of Silicon Valley software maker VMware Inc., was ranked the top boss in employment website Glassdoor’s annual survey. A brief article at Jessup.com describes Gelsinger as “a longtime partner, supporter and friend.” Gelsinger previously served on Jessup’s board of trustees, and in 2008, Jessup awarded him an honorary doctorate of letters. A story in Business Insider from 2015 says Gelsinger and his wife give away about half of

July 3, 2019

Christian Standard

Merold Institute Assessing Options for Growth

By Chris Moon Four years into its existence, the Merold Institute is looking toward the future. The ministry of Harvester Christian Church in St. Charles, Mo., began primarily as a place to help mold the church’s key volunteers and existing and incoming staff—to give them the biblical and theological training lacking in many ministry workers who were unable to attend Bible college or seminary. During its short existence, the institute named for Ben Merold, Harvester’s former senior minister (who continues serving as a teaching pastor), has largely accomplished that goal. Many of the church’s staff and volunteers have earned certificates

July 3, 2019

Christian Standard

Portsmouth, Ohio, Church Plans for New Worship Center (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon Central Church of Christ in Portsmouth, Ohio, is preparing to break ground on a new worship center. The structure will replace the church’s longtime home that was built in 1912 and later expanded. “The building . . . is in really bad shape,” the church explained on its website. The church’s new building will be constructed in the parking lot of the existing structure and will house the church’s worship services. The old building will continue to be used for fellowship activities. The church, which averages about 120, held a groundbreaking ceremony last week. The new

July 3, 2019

Christian Standard

Ozark Student Killed, 4 Other CIY Workers Injured in Accident

(This story was updated July 3 with funeral arrangements for Jace Smothers.) An Ozark Christian College student working with Christ In Youth this summer was killed Friday when a CIY van he was riding in was rear-ended as part of a multiple vehicle accident on Interstate 24 east of Paducah, Ky. The van carried four other CIY MOVE summer event staff members; all were injured. Jace Smothers, 19, who had just completed his first year as a youth ministry major at Ozark, died at the scene. His funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. today (Wednesday) at Norton (Kan.) Christian

June 26, 2019

Christian Standard

KCU Recruiting Bass Fishers

By Jim Nieman Bass fishing has been added as a scholarship sport at Kentucky Christian University. That may strike some as odd, but certainly not the new head coach and the school’s associate athletic director. “Bass fishing fits Kentucky Christian University perfectly,” says Brian Slone, who was selected to coach the bass fishing team. “After all, Jesus chose fishers first” when recruiting disciples. “With the abundance of outdoor sporting activities in this region, and the popularity of this new sport on college campuses, this decision was just a natural,” said associate AD Bruce Dixon. Slone said bass fishing is becoming

June 26, 2019

Christian Standard

‘Church Anywhere’ Initiative Gains Momentum (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman First Capital Christian Church’s micro-campus initiative called “Church Anywhere” is featured in an article in the Christian Post. The church in Corydon, Ind., launched the program three years ago to help bring the church to people who couldn’t physically attend a formal church service—and for those who don’t like doing so. The church sends members into isolated parts of its community to launch micro-campuses. Today, First Capital has campuses in 15 locations, including prisons, foster care centers, schools, homeless shelters, and in church members’ homes. The services consist of two worship songs, a

June 19, 2019

Christian Standard

Jarvis to Direct Ministry Resource Center at Emmanuel (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman Beth Jarvis has been named director of the newly created Ministry Resource Center at Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan. The seminary last year received a $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to start a Ministry Resource Center to help place and mentor Emmanuel’s ministry students in local churches. Jarvis is an ordained Christian church minister with years of nonprofit experience. She most recently served as care team coordinator with Christian Missionary Fellowship International in Indianapolis, coordinating pastoral care for 220 missionaries in 25 countries. “We’re delighted to have someone with Jarvis’s depth

June 12, 2019

Christian Standard

Pantano Recognized for Racial Reconciliation Efforts

By Jim Nieman Glen Elliott, lead pastor with Pantano Christian Church, Tucson, Ariz., represented PCC Sunday as they received the church of the year award for racial reconciliation from the Racial Reconciliation Community Outreach Network in that city. “I’m so grateful to be a part of a church that embraces racial equality & unity,” Elliott wrote on Facebook. Pantano has been working toward racial reconciliation for many years. “Back in 2013 a small group of black and white pastors agreed—some reluctantly—to meet to better understand each other and see if we could address this in our community,” Elliott shared with

June 12, 2019

Christian Standard

Northeast Dominates ‘Most Post-Christian Cities’ List (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman Barna Group has released its list of “The Most Post-Christian Cities in America: 2019.” Eight of the cities and/or metropolitan areas are in the Northeast, while two are in the far West. The top three “Most Post-Christian Cities” are Springfield-Holyoke, Mass., followed by Portland-Auburn, Maine, and Providence, R.I./New Bedford, Mass. The Friendly Atheist website celebrated the news and referred to the list this way: “These are the cities where religion is most likely to be considered an afterthought.” _ _ _ News Briefs Two of our universities recently made Niche.com’s list of the

June 11, 2019

Christian Standard

Two Oklahoma Churches, Mission Group Building Home for Retiring Missionary Couple

Two Oklahoma churches and a mission group are building a house for a longtime missionary couple returning home from the Philippines. Oakwood Christian Church in Enid and Lakewood Christian Church in McAlester are teaming on the project to construct the 2,300-square-foot home for Paul and Mary Wilson. Oakwood and Lakewood funded the materials for the project, while World Mission Builders, which is headed by Ed Thomas, has helped assemble the team of contractors that is working on the home. Paul Wilson is a former youth pastor at Oakwood Christian Church, which his brother, Dr. R. Joe Wilson, founded. Joe Wilson

June 5, 2019

Christian Standard

In New Book, Harlow Examines ‘What Made Jesus Mad’

By Jim Nieman Tim Harlow, senior pastor with Parkview Christian Church, Orland Park, Ill., for almost 30 years, has written a new book with the provocative title, What Made Jesus Mad? Rediscover the Blunt, Sarcastic, Passionate Savior of the Bible. In the book, to be released next Tuesday, Harlow explains that Jesus was most angry with people whose attitudes got in the way of his purpose, and he shares what that means for his followers today. He suggests it’s more important to ask, “What made Jesus angry” than the oft-quoted cliché, “What would Jesus do?” Harlow—who cowrote the “Ministry Today”

June 5, 2019

Christian Standard

WJU Student-Athlete, Mom Wins NAIA Marathon (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman Full-time student-athlete, wife, and mother Bailey Cossentine of William Jessup University won the marathon at the NAIA Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Championships at Gulf Shores, Ala., on May 25. Cossentine finished with a time of 3:07.50.64, just 13 months after having a baby. Her time was more than 30 minutes faster than the school record she set two years ago. In winning, she became WJU’s first-ever, first-place NAIA All-American. “Bailey executed a perfect race plan with her progression through the field of competitors,” coach Jeff Magley said. “She was in control all day and closed the last 10k with great

May 29, 2019

Shawn McMullen

In Praise of ‘Holiness’: New Book Seeks to Reclaim the Word

By Jim Nieman A new book by Shawn McMullen, editor of The Lookout, seeks to explain the importance of holy living and help people nurture a deeper relationship with God. McMullen titled his book Coming Home to Holiness, though he admits holiness isn’t a popular topic today. “The concept of holiness is routinely misrepresented and misunderstood in our culture,” McMullen says, “to the point that many people today are turned off by the mere mention of the word.” “I think this is why some sincere Christians, with all their love and service and devotion, still feel incomplete—like something is missing

May 29, 2019

Christian Standard

Stone Hands Off SECC Leadership to Idleman (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman Dave Stone preached his last sermon at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. Stone retired after 13 years at the helm of the megachurch. Stone handed over leadership to Kyle Idleman, passing to him the same baton he’d received from former Southeast pastor Bob Russell. The Southeast Outlook offered some insight into Stone and his ministry, including tributes from Idleman (who met Stone at a Christ In Youth conference when Idleman was 16) and other ministers inside and outside Southeast. Another article included an anecdote about the time Stone, then in college, stayed with the Russells and had to borrow a pair of dress

May 23, 2019

Christian Standard

Ozark Christian College Weathers Storm that Kills 3 in Missouri

By Jim Nieman News outlets are reporting that storms and tornadoes injured several people in Carl Junction, Mo., and killed three people in Golden City on Wednesday. Carl Junction is just a few miles north of Joplin, Mo., where Ozark Christian College is located. The storms occurred on the eighth anniversary of tornadoes that killed 161 people in Joplin. Matt Proctor, president of OCC, said, “At the moment, we know of one student’s house in nearby Carl Junction that experienced storm damage (roof damage and blown-out window), but no one was hurt, for which we’re grateful.” Proctor said there is

Help Keep Christian Standard Free & Accessible with a Tax Deductible Donation

We can do more together!

Every gift makes a difference!

No, thank you.
100% secure transactions - receipts provided.
Does Your Church Want to Support Christian Standard?

Would your church consider including support for Christian Standard in its annual missions budget? Your support would help us not only continue the 160-year legacy of this unifying ministry, but also expand the free resources, cooperative opportunities, and practical guidance we provide to strengthen churches in the U.S. and around the world.

We can do more together!

Every gift makes a difference!

No, thank you.
100% secure transactions - receipts provided.
Secret Link