December 18, 2024
Christian Standard News Items
A few exciting things that are happening with Christian Standard that you should know about.
Articles for tag: Christian Standard Media
The Solomon Foundation’s Impact
A bottom line measured in outreach, church attendance, and baptisms . . .
September 27, 2023
Shawn McMullen Named Editor of Christian Standard
Shawn McMullen has been named the 13th editor of Christian Standard, succeeding Michael C. Mack, who died unexpectedly Aug. 24. McMullen has served previously as editor of The Lookout. “When I think about Christian Standard’s 157-year history, its impact on our churches, and its legacy of godly editors, I view this as a sacred trust,” McMullen said . . .
August 25, 2023
Remembering Our Editor, Mike Mack (1960–2023)
"It’s very hard to put into words my feelings upon hearing of the passing of Christian Standard editor Mike Mack on Thursday, Aug. 24," publisher Jerry Harris writes. "I am grieving the sudden loss of a friend and coworker even as I rejoice in his being welcomed to glory." . . .
March 22, 2023
Orchard Group Marks 75 Years (Plus News Briefs)
Orchard Group is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The church-planting ministry has created a special anniversary page on its website. Also briefs about the RENEW.org National Conference (registrants will receive two books), FAME, and William Jessup University.
August 17, 2022
Share Your Hobby with Us
If you have an interesting hobby and serve in ministry with a Christian Church or Church of Christ—or know of a friend who checks those boxes—would you share that with us for possible inclusion in an upcoming article?
April 7, 2021
Defining Moments: Celebrating a 155-Year Anniversary that Almost Didn’t Happen
In early 2017, if The Solomon Foundation not come to the rescue, Christian Standard would not be celebrating its 155th anniversary today.
March 1, 2021
Moving Forward
The year 2020 was extremely difficult for all of us, with challenges that reached into nearly every part of life and work. With most church buildings closed down for some time, it wasn’t surprising many church leaders allowed their Christian Standard subscriptions to lapse in order to cut costs and get past the pandemic, with thoughts of reassessing the relationship at a later time. We’ve been doing that same type of thing at Christian Standard Media—we’ve been figuring out ways to cut costs while providing the very best window into the world of church leadership and life in the Restoration
Churches Are Eligible for Paycheck Protection Program
By Renee Little Churches are eligible for economic relief related to the coronavirus pandemic, and the time to apply is NOW! The Paycheck Protection Program was approved through Congress and signed by the president. Approximately $349 billion in forgivable loans will be given out to small businesses (under 500 employees). Nonprofits, including churches, are included. Now is the time for church leaders to strongly consider whether to seek relief through this program and to take action. Here are the next steps: 1. See this page on the Vanderbloemen website that includes videos and other information providing the most recent updates
February 10, 2020
Christian Standard and The Lookout Merge!
For many years, Christian Standard Media has been challenged by steadily declining subscriptions to our print magazines, Christian Standard and The Lookout. The commensurate drop in revenue presented an opportunity for a non-profit ministry to purchase the magazines—and much of our Restoration Movement heritage—from a for-profit company. The change in ownership three years ago preserved the magazines and much of our heritage. Since that time, both Christian Standard and The Lookout have been retooled as we have endeavored to maintain and improve their appearance and content. We thank The Solomon Foundation for being the primary benefactor in this endeavor and
September 24, 2019
Former Standard Publishing Employees Meet for Reunion
On Friday, September 20, about 70 former employees of Standard Publishing and their spouses met to renew friendships and share memories, recalling the years they served together in Christian publishing. The gathering—organized by Sheryl Overstreet, Joann Van Meter, and Elaina Meyers—was held in the Community Room at the Christian Village at Mt. Healthy in Cincinnati, Ohio. The site was selected because of its proximity to the former Standard Publishing plant on Hamilton Avenue in Mt. Healthy. Standard Publishing, in fact, donated the property upon which the village was built in the early 1960s. “What a great evening!” one attendee wrote.
September 2, 2019
Lesson for Sept. 8, 2019: Get Wisdom (Ecclesiastes 2:13; 4:13; 7:5, 11, 12, 19; 8:1)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 9 (weeks 32-35; August 18—September 8, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ________ Lesson Aim: Get wisdom and enjoy its benefits. ________ By Mark Scott School has started. While some schools begin in August, most all are in session following Labor Day. For decades the overriding purpose in going to school was to acquire knowledge. While acquiring skills for future education and the workplace
March 1, 2019
The Most Comprehensive and Accurate List of Christian Churches and Churches of Christ Available Anywhere
UPDATE/MAY 18: The ChurchLink database is in the final testing phase. We hope to have it up and running—and ready for you to use—within the next few days. Thank you for your patience and understanding. ____________ (Christian Standard’s article from the April issue) The Center for Church Leadership and Christian Standard Media Partner to Produce an Updated—and Updatable—Digital Database By Jim Nieman It’s taken longer than either the Center for Church Leadership or Christian Standard Media had hoped or previously promised, but a partnership to provide an updated—and updatable—online database of Christian churches and churches of Christ called ChurchLink should
February 2, 2019
Financial Issues: Don’t Be Discouraged!
By Michael C. Mack The statistic is alarming. According to a Christian university study reported by the Center for Church Leadership, over a 10-year period 70 percent of ministers drop out of ministry. And some of the biggest reasons for that high attrition rate are financial. CCL’s September 2016 State of the Ministry research study of Christian church/church of Christ ministers reveals that 74 percent of responders who serve in vocational ministry have debt. It also found that 54 percent of churches do not provide retirement benefits and 47 percent don’t offer health/medical insurance. No wonder the survey determined 85
December 31, 2018
Lesson for January 6, 2019: A Gift of Faith that Pleases God (Abel—Genesis 4:2-16)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 1 (weeks 1–4; January 6–27, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ Lesson Aim: By giving of our first and best we exhibit a pleasing faith like Abel. ______ By Mark Scott Things went downhill fast after the serpent deceived our first parents in Genesis 3. Adam and Eve failed to trust the goodness of God and embraced a culture of death. Sin can cause even our
November 21, 2018
The ICOM 2018 Recap
By Michael C. Mack The International Conference On Missions was held last week in Cincinnati, Ohio, with the theme, “Unhindered.” Kevin Dooley served as president this year. Christian Standard Media was a sponsor and exhibitor. We plan to report in more detail about the conference later in our print/digital issue, but here is a quick recap: — ICOM is still tabulating total attendance, but 3,500 people pre-registered and several thousand registered onsite. — About 2,300 people attended the first three sessions, which is an increase of about 400 to 500 over last year’s sessions. — There were 314 exhibitors
October 22, 2018
Big Changes in Our Magazines
By Jerry Harris “The Times They Are A-Changin’” was the title of a 1964 Bob Dylan song addressing his belief in a need for social justice. If you were 16 when that song was released, you’re 70 years old today. In 1964, Christian Standard, The Lookout, and Standard Publishing were the gold standard for Christian education, leadership, and discipleship. Two years later, in 1966, the little entity that started in Cleveland, Ohio, celebrated 100 years in business; by then it was a major company housed in a factory with 7 acres under roof and hundreds of employees. That was before
October 8, 2018
Lesson for October 14, 2018: The Church Begins (Acts 2:1-11, 22-24, 37-42)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 11 (weeks 41–44; October 14—November 4, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ The Bible lessons now follow a scope and sequence prepared by Christian Standard Media. For more information, click here. ______ Lesson Aim: Expect wonderful things to happen when God pours out his Spirit on his people. ______ By Mark Scott On the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 God turned a new page in
September 30, 2018
Thank-You!
(This is a sidebar to Jerry Harris’s October 2018 Letter from the Publisher: “The NACC: Celebrating Our Wins . . . and Starting an Inspiring New Season”) By Jerry Harris Seventy-seven names. As one scans them, a history of the modern independent Christian church forms. These men strove to hold together in unity an independent movement while, at the same time, cherishing its individuality. They worked hard to inspire a movement of healthy, growing churches. They had their own ministries, but they generously gave their time, talent, and treasure to advance a tribe and cause in which they believed.
September 22, 2018
Christmas Article on Hold as Authorities Investigate Editor’s Illness
Christian Standard editor Michael C. Mack was confined to bed rest after taking ill while reading Caleb Kaltenbach’s Christmas article that extrapolates Christian principles from the holiday classic movie, A Christmas Story. “I don’t know what happened,” Mack said, blinking his eyes rapidly but unable to focus on anything. “I think Caleb may have somehow shot my eyes out . . . figuratively, of course.” “The article is actually quite mesmerizing,” said Mack. “I had read through it once and was starting a second pass when a strange feeling came over me. I tried to stand to get a coffee
