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: Michael C. Mack
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.
February 22, 2024
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘The Apostle Paul’s Top 21 Leadership Character Traits’ (2014)
For his "Best Practices" feature in 2014, former editor Mike Mack introduced a listicle by writing: "Acts 20 contains 21 character traits of the apostle Paul. Look over this list, and then take time to assess yourself as a leader." . . .
January 1, 2024
Remembering Mike / A New Team Member / Defaulting to Mercy and Grace
By Shawn McMullen I WRITE MY FIRST COLUMN AS EDITOR of Christian Standard with mixed emotions. As humbled and grateful as I am to have been given this opportunity to serve Christ and our fellowship of churches, I continue to mourn the loss of the former editor, my friend Mike Mack. When the sister magazines were given new life through the vision of The Solomon Foundation and Christian Standard Media, Mike and I worked together for three years. He edited this journal while I edited The Lookout. During that time Mike and I talked regularly, traveled together occasionally, and supported
November 1, 2023
The Advent of Jesus into a Wicked World
By Michael C. Mack Each Christmas I faithfully sing the hymn . . . though I question the historical accuracy of the words. Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright. . . . As I read the biblical accounts, I imagine the atmosphere surrounding Jesus’ birth as something other than silent, calm, and bright. More like clamorous and chaotic. The streets of Bethlehem are bustling as people from across the region arrive in their ancestral hometown to register for Caesar Augustus’s census. Joseph and Mary walk wide-eyed through throngs of fellow Jews from King David’s line hectically looking
November 1, 2023
Inaccurate Assumptions About Evangelism and Christians
By Michael C. Mack When I became a follower of Jesus 35 years ago, I had several faulty assumptions about Christianity. I thought, for instance, that everyone who followed Christ shared their faith in him faithfully and frequently with others. I actually believed evangelism was the norm in the church! After all, the Bible says Jesus commanded it, and the early church practiced it regularly. And several Christians had shared their faith with me. So, I did the same. As I got more involved in the church, I found that my assumption was mostly inaccurate. For many of the Christians
November 1, 2023
Mike, You Will Be Missed
Remembering Mike Mack
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 . . .
September 18, 2023
September 24 | Discovery
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “The Lord Speaks” (Song of Songs 1:1-8; 2:4, 16-17; 8:6-7), by Mark Scott.
September 13, 2023
Funeral for Mike Mack: ‘We Lost Him Too Soon’ (Plus News Briefs)
A few hundred people gathered Saturday morning at Northeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky., for Christian Standard editor Michael C. Mack’s funeral service. Mike died of a blood clot on Aug. 24 while mountain biking in Colorado. . . . Plus briefs from Mid-Atlantic Christian University, IDES, and more.
September 4, 2023
September 10 | Discovery
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “The Husband Speaks” (Song of Songs 1:15; 4:1-15), by Mark Scott.
September 3, 2023
Funeral Arrangements & Obituary Information for Editor Mike Mack
A funeral service for Christian Standard editor Michael C. Mack, 63, who died Aug. 24, will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Northeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky. (This post was updated on Tuesday with complete obituary information.)
September 1, 2023
Hope Makes All the Difference!
By Michael C. Mack Hope makes all the difference! That’s the conclusion psychologists and social scientists have come to after years of research. In his best-selling book, Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman reported on what other researchers had discovered: “that hope was a better predictor of [students’] . . . grades than were their scores on the SAT, a test supposedly able to predict how students will fare in college (and highly correlated to IQ).” Hope, he says, “plays a surprisingly potent role in life, offering an advantage in realms as diverse as school achievement and bearing up in onerous jobs.”
August 31, 2023
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘A Heart for God’ (2010)
"What do you want to be known for?" Michael C. Mack asked in this article from 2010. "What would you want people to say about you when you die? What do you want written in your obituary?" These questions are all the more appropriate and poignant because Mike, our editor, died one week ago today. . . .
August 26, 2023
Mike, You Will Be Missed
Late last week, my friend Mike Mack, the editor of Christian Standard, died toward the tail-end of a weeklong mountain biking adventure. I texted him on Thursday morning: “Happy Birthday, Mike! Hope you’re having a great time in Colorado!” He was, of course. . . .
