December 30, 2007
We love before-and-after stories, but God’s transforming work is the most breathtaking. Jackina Stark reflects on Scripture and real-life examples of renewed minds, mended relationships, and Spirit-enabled courage to do what we cannot.
November 4, 2007
By Jackina Stark Mercy, there are a lot of reasons to cry. I went in not so long ago and talked to Ozark Christian College Academic Dean Mark Scott about cutting back my teaching load. I wanted more time to travel, to write, to see the grandchildren and my aging parents. Necessarily, our talk moved to when I would retire altogether, and of course, at that point I started crying. I”m sure he wished I”d just sent a letter. Well, for goodness” sake, he must have thought, what do you want? I want more time to travel, to write, to
September 19, 2007
Troy McMahon’s Route to Church Planting Troy McMahon has taken the nontraditional route to becoming a church planter. After years of leadership in the Navy and at General Mills, he joined the staff of Community Christian Church outside of Chicago and is now moving his family to Kansas City to launch a new church. McMahon describes how his background in engineering, the Navy, and manufacturing shaped his call to vocational ministry. He shares the turning points that moved him from multisite ministry into church planting. He outlines the Kansas City vision, timeline, and early steps toward a March 2, 2008
August 29, 2007
CHRISTIAN STANDARD outlines a 2008 plan featuring 12 special themed issues with expanded pages and additional advertising, while also rotating its roster of contributing editors and welcoming four new members.
August 19, 2007
After more than two decades of unity-focused gatherings, the Restoration Forum will conclude this September. Victor Knowles recounts its origins, key milestones, and why organizers believe it’s time to move from conversation to cooperation.
A reflection from the North American Christian Convention in Kansas City—where connection mattered, church planting took center stage, and leaders announced a future schedule change away from the Fourth of July week.
August 5, 2007
A practical guide to choosing elders rooted in 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Matt Proctor offers ten questions to help congregations identify leaders with character, wisdom, and credibility—while applying biblical standards with grace.
As megachurch pioneers near retirement, more leaders are building succession plans. This article explores what helps transitions work, what derails them, and why trust, timing, and humility matter when passing leadership to the next pastor.
Lindsey Bell reflects on how Christ In Youth shaped her faith and traces CIY’s 40-year growth from youth rallies to a ministry serving students, leaders, and churches worldwide.
June 3, 2007
As Dave Smith reflects on moves, memories, and the outdoors, he shares how running, wilderness solitude, and steady rhythms of movement have shaped a life of honest prayer and attentive listening to God.
April 1, 2007
What makes a leader’s work endure? This article challenges the church to raise up “Timothies” who will carry the gospel forward—because there is no success without a successor.
February 18, 2007
The 2007 North American Christian Convention emphasizes church planting while offering strong workshop tracks for women and families, including sessions on parenting, marriage, women’s ministry, and facing real-life challenges with faith and grace.
February 11, 2007
Key facts and figures from the National Missionary Convention, held November 16-19, 2006, in Indianapolis—attendance totals, teen convention registration, workshops, offerings, and college student participation.
January 28, 2007
Three leadership models shape today’s church, but only one is biblical. Randy Gariss contrasts storefront and foreman approaches with shepherding—personal pursuit, prayer, compassion, and responsibility for God’s people.
January 14, 2007
Gary Zustiak argues that evangelism in a postmodern world must be relational and intentional, not sales-like or coercive. Using metaphors like dance, midwife, and gardener, he calls the church to invite people into community.
January 14, 2007
A pastoral case for why preaching still matters. Matt Proctor explores the power of God’s Word, the responsibility of listeners, and the holy weight carried by those who step into the pulpit each week.
January 7, 2007
A curated reading list on worldview and postmodernism, featuring key evangelical resources that explain cultural shifts, challenges to absolute truth, and practical ministry engagement—from James Sire’s worldview primer to Leonard Sweet’s EPIC-culture approach.
January 1, 2007
Meet this year’s lineup of Christian Standard columnists—leaders and thinkers reflecting on Christian life, church ministry, Restoration Movement concerns, and the challenges of Christian leadership.
December 31, 2006
An alphabetical collection of obituary notices honoring ministers and Christian leaders. Each entry shares key details of a life of service, along with surviving family members and service or memorial information when available.
December 24, 2006
Mark Scott reflects on Luke’s Christmas narrative, showing how God fills ordinary places, people, and events with profound meaning. From Bethlehem’s fields to the shepherds’ surprise, Christmas announces good news for outsiders, too.
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