January 29, 2021
I soaked up Sam Stone's wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.
January 28, 2021
In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.
January 27, 2021
Former Christian Standard editor Sam E. Stone passed away from cardiac failure on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, at the age of 84. Over a lifetime of Christian ministry, Sam served as a preacher of the gospel in Ohio and Missouri, academic dean of Cincinnati Christian Seminary, Bible college professor, president of the North American Christian Convention, world missions advocate, author, and advocate for the developmentally disabled. He served as Christian Standard editor for 25 years, from 1978 to 2003, the longest tenure in the magazine’s 154-year history. The New Mexico native graduated from Ozark Bible College, Joplin, Mo., and also
January 27, 2021
Mark A. Taylor shares memories of his colleague, teacher, and friend, Sam E. Stone. Sam, who was Christian Standard's longest-serving editor, died on Monday.
The Christian Village at Mason in Ohio held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for the new Stone Worship Center and Auditorium, named in honor of former Christian Standard editor Sam E. Stone and his late wife, Gwen. The worship center will replace the existing chapel as the primary building for Sunday worship services and also will provide a place for various events, banquets, concerts, and meetings for residents of the 85-acre senior living community located north of Cincinnati. The center is expected to be completed in the fall of 2021. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the existing chapel had been seeing
February 21, 2019
On Jan. 29, 1984, Sam E. Stone provided an answer to a question he had asked readers more than two years earlier: “Just what is the church doing to meet some of the enormous needs disabled people are facing?” The answer came in the form of a front-page story in Christian Standard entitled, “Ministry to the Handicapped Begins.” That article—as you’ll read—details the start of the Christian Foundation for the Handicapped, which continues to thrive, but under a new name, Ability Ministry. (Read more about Ability Ministry—including an important part of its origin story that Sam doesn’t share here—in an
October 24, 2018
By Jim Nieman A new worship center being planned at the Christian Village at Mason (CVM) in Ohio will be named for former Christian Standard editor Sam E. Stone and his late wife, Gwen. The Stone Worship Center and Auditorium is necessary, in part, because of increasing attendance at CVM worship services under senior chaplain Tom Moll, who has served four-plus years at the 85-acre senior living community in Mason, located north of Cincinnati. “I don’t know that anyone thought it was possible to have a vibrant church (in a retirement community),” said Larry D. Monroe, president and CEO of
September 19, 2018
(Updated Sept. 24) Dave Stone, senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky., has announced he will retire sometime in the next six to nine months. Teaching pastor Kyle Idleman will replace Stone in the lead role at the church. “This is a process that has been in the works for a number of years,” Stone said in a story published on the Southeast Christian Church website. “My wife, Beth, and I decided on this timing about five years ago. We felt that 2019 would be the wisest time for the transition to take place.” Stone made the announcement
August 30, 2018
We selected the second—and shorter—editorial from p. 3 of the September 3, 1978, issue to share today. “Fifteen Gifted Men,” written by Sam E. Stone during his first year as editor, describes the arrangement for editorial oversight that was in place during the 50 or so years Standex International owned Standard Publishing, the former parent company of Christian Standard and The Lookout. To set the stage: The first edition of Christian Standard was published in April 1866, with Isaac Errett serving as editor. Standard Publishing “grew up around it”—it’s often been said—and was incorporated in 1872. Additional publications were created,
November 25, 2017
By Dave Stone No one has any say into which family he or she is born. But someday I intend to thank the Lord for the parents he gave to my brother, Jeff, and me. Sam Stone has been known to many by a variety of titles: Preacher, Seminary Dean, Editor, Brotherhood Leader, and North American Christian Convention President. But I”ve been fortunate to just call him Dad. What a blessing! When asked why we chose to go into the ministry, Jeff and I typically give the same response: “Because our dad was the same man in the home as
August 29, 2017
By Michael C. Mack In June at the North American Christian Convention in Kansas City, I met Marshall Hayden, retired minister of Worthington (Ohio) Christian Church. We stood in front of our Christian Standard Media booth and talked about his dad, Edwin Hayden, editor from 1957 to 1977, and the newly designed July issue. Like Sam Stone, editor from 1978 to 2003, and Mark Taylor, 2003 to 2017, two men I”ve known and respected for many years, Marshall strongly encouraged me in my new role. These three men””Edwin, Sam, and Mark””and the eight editors before them have left a legacy
August 1, 2017
Christian Standard managing editor Jim Nieman reflects on the four editors he has known and worked alongside. By Jim Nieman My transition from newspaper journalist to Christian Standard managing editor came about unexpectedly almost 20 years ago. Three editors of the magazine played roles in making it happen . . . and I am glad they did. Because of my unique perch and perspective, new editor Mike Mack asked me to share my insights into these gentlemen. Edwin V. Hayden I”ve been managing editor for the last three editors of the magazine, but a man I never worked
By Michael C. Mack I don”t recall what the speaker said, but I”m sure his words were well-spoken and significant. I do remember, however, who that speaker was on that Sunday evening 21 years ago: Mark Taylor, who was at that time publisher at Standard Publishing Company. Mark had already played a key role in my life. When I worked in the New Products department at Standard in the early to mid-“90s, Mark was my boss. When I left to start a web-based small group ministry in 1995, he encouraged me and gave me opportunities to do freelance work, which
April 30, 2016
By Arron Chambers The mission of CHRISTIAN STANDARD from the outset was to make a positive difference in this world by lifting up Jesus Christ. The founding and first editor made this clear with his vision statement for the publication: We propose to lift up the CHRISTIAN STANDARD, as a rallying point for the scattered host of spiritual Israel; to know only “Jesus Christ and Him crucified”: His cross, His word, His church, His ordinances, His laws and the interests of His kingdom.1 And Errett”s passion for the gospel has been reflected in the ministry of the editors that followed
March 1, 2016
This Easter editorial was written by Sam E. Stone, CHRISTIAN STANDARD’s 10th editor. It first appeared in the March 30, 1986, issue of the magazine. ____ By Sam E. Stone When Eve stood with tear-filled eyes beside Abel”s grave, the question of the ages must have been in her heart. Will I see him again? Is there life beyond the grave? But it remained for that patriarch whose name is synonymous with human suffering to ask, “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14). All of us have thought about this. We think of it when we stand
August 24, 2015
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 23 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone During the past three months we have seen how various Old Testament prophets took God”s demand for justice to the people. We have considered Amos, Micah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah. Though their careers spanned several hundred years, they preached a single message: the nation”s relationship to God called for faith and obedience. When the prophet Malachi came on the
August 17, 2015
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 16 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone The people of Israel were taken captive to Babylon. After 70 years, God allowed a remnant of his people to return to the promised land. There they set about to rebuild the temple. Although this effort began with much excitement and devotion, the project slowed considerably (Haggai 1). The Lord sent Haggai and Zechariah as prophets to encourage the people to
August 10, 2015
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 9 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone Even before Jerusalem fell in 586 BC, many of her finest people were taken captive to Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel was among some 10,000 people who had been carried away (1:1). He had been selected by God to be “a watchman for the house of Israel” (3:17). The great eighteenth chapter of the book that bears his name underlines the
August 3, 2015
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 2 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone Jeremiah is one of the best-known Old Testament prophets. He tried valiantly to save the people of Judah from falling to Babylon, but was unsuccessful. After King Josiah”s positive changes, the nation had again slipped back into sin. As Jeremiah warned, the Hebrew people were facing God”s certain judgment. Before the end of the book, events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem
July 27, 2015
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the July 26 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone This lesson begins the final month in this quarter”s study about God”s desire for justice, as outlined by various Old Testament prophets. God expects his people to know right from wrong and then to do what is right. Justice is as serious a requirement for Christians today as it was for the people of Israel in Bible times. Isaiah 59 climaxes
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