In this Editor’s note, Shawn McMullen encourages church leaders—especially in small congregations—to remember that every faithful ministry matters. Prioritize personal holiness and depth with Christ, and trust God with the breadth of the impact.
February 23, 2026
A historical reflection on race within the Restoration Movement and the often-overlooked story of Black Independent Christian Churches—highlighting exclusion, resilience, and the leaders and institutions that sustained a vital fellowship.
December 22, 2025
The history of Colegio Biblico began in 1945 when Harland Cary (1916-2014), a man of principle and commitment to the Lord, dedicated himself to serving the Lord as a missionary to Mexico.
July 1, 2024
In my study of our Restoration Movement heritage, it seemed leaders were more concerned with eradicating fences than erecting them. That value has been overlooked by some. . . .
Churches are being started by regional networks all over the country, in all kinds of places. . . .
The Solomon Foundation is absolutely committed to the churches of the Restoration Movement. . . .
April 19, 2024
Exponential has announced a new strategic partnership with Ed Stetzer to operate and steward the Church Planting Leadership Fellowship (CPLF). This collaborative effort aims to amplify the network’s impact and extend its reach within the church-planting community, according to an announcement at Exponential’s website. . . .
January 30, 2024
Great Lakes Christian College President Dr. Frank Weller recently provided a "State of the College" update via Facebook. In the 4-minute, 36-second video, Weller shared about GLCC’s efforts to shore-up its finances in preparation for a visit by the Higher Learning Commission on March 25. . . .
January 26, 2024
Ready to Harvest, which conducts denominational research, has released a 27-minute video via YouTube profiling and explaining Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. “What Are Independent Christian Churches?” was posted early this week and is being generally well received. . . .
January 24, 2024
There is still time to complete Christian Standard's Annual Survey of Churches. This survey of 2023 data is designed for every Restoration Movement church (Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ)—from the largest to smallest—and takes only a few minutes to complete . . .
November 1, 2023
Christian Standard is compiling a list of the oldest Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ that are still gathering for worship each week, but we need your help. Please review this list of churches that started between the years of 1800 and 1859. If you know of a church that we have overlooked, or if you see incorrect information . . .
November 1, 2023
This lengthy post carries the full responses from Christian college presidents to our survey asking them about their institution’s views on the topics of biblical inerrancy, human sexuality, and women in ministry. . . .
October 31, 2023
Phil and Marian Yakey had a hard time digesting the news about the closure of Lincoln Christian University. The couple have been connected to the college for nearly five decades. “There’s an element of shock in it,” Phil Yakey said. “We kind of always assumed the college would continue to grow and prosper.” . . .
Four schools aligned with Christian Churches and Churches of Christ have been awarded grants totaling almost $5 million from the Lilly Endowment’s Compelling Preaching Initiative. Among the schools each receiving more than $1.2 million were Point University, Johnson University, Milligan University, and Central Christian College of the Bible. . . .
September 25, 2023
I was brought up in the Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, but I have remained in this tribe by personal choice. . . . But there is still more to restore. . . .
Johnson University announced its Florida Campus in Kissimmee will be closing on June 30, 2024, after the upcoming 2023-24 academic year. The school in Florida was originally known as Florida Christian College; JU acquired it in 2013. . . .
July 1, 2023
By Kent E. Fillinger The number of unaffiliated, nondenominational Christian churches in the United States grew by almost 5,000 congregations and nearly 9 million people from 2010 to 2020, thus making it America’s largest Protestant “denomination,” according to the U.S. Religion Census. In 2010, unaffiliated, nondenominational Christian churches had an estimated 12,241,329 adherents in 35,496 congregations, which represented 4 percent of the overall population. By 2020, the number of people worshipping in those churches grew to 21,095,641, and their share of America’s religious population increased to 13.1 percent, representing 6.4 percent of the nation’s population. How Many Churches Do We
July 1, 2023
By Jerry Harris Earlier this year, it seemed the whole country was caught up in the cancellation of Bud Light, America’s best-selling beer. The turmoil resulted from a promotion that connected the brand to Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender TikTok influencer; Bud Light sent personalized beer cans to Mulvaney celebrating both March Madness and Mulvaney’s yearlong transition to identify as a woman. Mulvaney’s videos on social media triggered a backlash that caused many Bud Light beer drinkers to reject the iconic brand. In just a few weeks, Anheuser-Busch lost $5 billion in market value, 17 percent in sales, and 21 percent
May 30, 2023
In the fall of 2020, as COVID restrictions were being eased, my wife and I were church “free agents.” I suggested we try an a cappella congregation I knew in Louisville, Ky. We jumped in, and two years later I joined the staff as involvement minister—a lifelong Christian Church guy now teaching, discipling, and worshipping in four-part harmony. Here are five observations from my experiences serving in an a cappella church. . . .
May 24, 2023
Tim Keller, renowned pastor, speaker, and best-selling author, died Friday. Several Christian Church leaders shared with us how Keller impacted their lives and ministries. . . .
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June 3, 2026
David Faust
June 3, 2026
Kent Fillinger
June 2, 2026
Erick Riddle