January 1, 2026
Think Outward
Every church will tell you they have an outward focus because they know that's Jesus' Great Commission, but the truth is that many are not.
Articles for tag: Mark A. Taylor
January 1, 2026
Succession: The Things You Need to Know but Others Won’t Tell You
We need to start thinking and planning for succession earlier rather than later, knowing that the stakes are high, the process takes time, and that we are following a biblical mandate.
January 1, 2026
Retirement, Ministry, and Learning to Let Go: A Pastor’s Wife’s Perspective
Retirement doesn’t mean ministry is over. It just means it looks different. The way we influence and serve may change, but God still uses us.
January 1, 2026
Bridging the Leadership Gap: Essential Steps for Church Succession
Elders and pastors need to intentionally work to identify and develop future pastors and leaders, viewing this as both a calling and a priority.
January 1, 2026
Serving in the Shadows
If your main motivation is to please other people, and your self-worth depends on others’ approval, you will be frustrated and disappointed.
January 1, 2026
Pastoral Transition: Succession or Interim?
When done with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, succession and an intentional interim create the smoothest path to pastoral transition.
November 6, 2025
Love’s Persuasive Power
Love has persuasive power. Compassion makes our arguments more convincing, but without love, our arguments sound hollow.
December 29, 2023
Diane Stortz: Reflecting on 50 Years of Service in Christian Publishing
After an interesting introduction to Christian publishing, Diane Stortz served in the field for 50 years, enjoying success as an editor, freelance writer, and author. She retired in 2023. (Former Christian Standard editor Mark A. Taylor, who served with Diane at Standard Publishing for several years, wrote this article.)
August 26, 2023
Mike Mack, 63, Was Always Willing to Step Out in Faith
Christian Standard editor Michael C. Mack, who died Thursday, wasn’t afraid to step out in faith. He switched from Catholicism to New Testament Christianity in his early 20s, gave up his business career to enter seminary, left his full-time job to launch a Christ-centered website, and became editor of a magazine for Christian leaders after two decades focused on small-group ministry. . . .
July 1, 2023
Learning About Alzheimer’s, Myself, and God
(And Determined to Remember the Forgetting) By Mark A. Taylor I sat with my friend Joan, a gentle, pretty 83-year-old, who is the picture of Southern grace and charm. She was her husband’s caregiver for the seven years he suffered with Alzheimer’s disease, until he died in April 2021. I was interviewing Joan for my website, Unchosen Journey: A Caregiver’s Walk with Alzheimer’s (www.unchosenjourney.com). “How did you cope with his death?” I asked her. “Our 59 years were good years,” she said. “But today I want to remember the hard times.” “Why?” I responded. I wasn’t expecting this—or her reaction
April 8, 2023
Easter Meditation 6: The Centurion
In his sixth and final devotion for the week leading up to Easter, former editor Mark A. Taylor shares thoughts about the centurion . . . "Struck by the Truth" (Matthew 27:45-54).
April 7, 2023
Easter Meditation 5: Chief Priests and Teachers of the Law
In his fifth of six meditations in the week leading up to Easter, former editor Mark A. Taylor shares thoughts about the chief priests and teachers of the law . . . "Blinded by Self" (Matthew 27:32-44).
April 6, 2023
Easter Meditation 4: Mary, the Mother of Jesus
In his fourth of six devotions in the week leading up to Easter, former editor Mark A. Taylor shares thoughts about the anguish that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, suffered . . . "Overwhelmed by Grief" (John 19:25-27).
April 5, 2023
Easter Meditation 3: Roman Soldiers
In his third of six devotions in the week leading up to Easter, former editor Mark A. Taylor shares thoughts about the Roman soldiers who mocked and abused Christ . . . "Missing God" (Matthew 27:27-31; John 19:23-24).
April 4, 2023
Easter Meditation 2: Two Crucified with Christ
In his second of six devotions in the week leading up to Easter, former editor Mark A. Taylor shares thoughts about the two men crucified with Christ . . . "Hardened and Desperate" (Luke 23:32-43).
April 3, 2023
Easter Meditation 1: Simon of Cyrene
In this first of six meditations in the week leading up to Easter, former editor Mark A. Taylor shares thoughts about Simon of Cyrene . . . "Burdened by the Cross" (Mark 15:16-22).
March 1, 2023
Where Grace Can Be Found
By Michael C. Mack One of my favorite classes in seminary was Doctrine of Grace, taught by Jack Cottrell. It was an introduction for me in my relatively newfound faith to the nature of God, the essence of salvation, and the call of the Christian life. Thirty-five years later, I’m still learning about grace. I see it everywhere, as God’s Spirit opens my eyes and heart to it. It’s found, for example, in Paul’s instructions to husbands on how to love their wives “just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). Paul then described
November 17, 2022
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Natural Thanksgiving’ (2007)
"Why is the American Thanksgiving celebration characterized more by indulgence than gratitude?" editor Mark A. Taylor asked in 2007.
September 28, 2022
1990 NACC President Richard D. Hogan Dies
Dr. Richard D. Hogan, 88, died Tuesday in Bella Vista, Ark. He was a longtime minister with First Christian Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and then with NewLife Christian Church in Bella Vista, Ark. He served as president of the 1990 North American Christian Convention and was a longtime member of the Publishing Committee at Standard Publishing.
March 16, 2022
News Briefs for March 16
A Florida church helped the Tavriski Christian Institute in Ukraine purchase a bus that enabled many to flee advancing Russing troops. Also, briefs about an upcoming leadership summit, a women's retreat, and more.
