June 6, 2023
Charlie McMahan says SouthBrook Christian Church in Miamisburg, Ohio, took a major step forward last year in its recovery from COVID-19—an event that he compares to the 9/11 terrorist attacks . . . but which had an opposite effect on the church in this country. . . .
February 13, 2023
There was only so much pickleball Tom Jones could play in retirement. The longtime executive director of Stadia Church Planting recently was hired by NewThing—a church-planting organization founded by Jones’s longtime friend Dave Ferguson—to serve as the group’s director of development.
February 20, 2022
Editor Michael C. Mack shares how God used the first-ever small group he joined to change his life.
April 8, 2020
Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon South Side Christian Church in Springfield, Ill., didn’t stage its annual Easter Eggcitement event featuring bounce houses, games, and eggs filled with candy this year, according to the State Journal-Register. Instead, on Sunday—because of the COVID-19 outbreak—children’s pastor Rodney Hull wore a protective mask and handed out treat bags to children in cars via a drive-through process. “I haven’t seen the kids for a few weeks, except on Zoom,” Hull told the paper. “So it’s a chance to wave to them and enjoy a little piece of Easter we’ve put together for them
February 12, 2020
The GoFundMe effort on behalf of Cincinnati Christian University Faculty and Staff has disbursed $54,576 among 28 individuals left without jobs because of the school’s sudden closing last year. Gifts came from 132 individuals and ministries from around the world. Some of the largest gifts came from local congregations and parachurch ministries, including: Milford (Ohio) Christian Church, $1,000; Owensboro (Ky.) Christian Church, $2,500; Northeast Christian Church, Louisville, Ky., $5,000; Bob Russell Ministries, $5,000; SouthBrook Christian Church, Miamisburg, Ohio, $5,000; and Southland Christian Church, Lexington, Ky., $12,500. Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Mo., dedicated its first chapel offering of the second semester
November 27, 2019
Compiled by Jim Nieman and Chris Moon Northshore Christian Academy in Everett, Wash.—a ministry of Northshore Christian Church—was presented with a National Blue Ribbon School Award during ceremonies last week. NCA was one of 362 schools—only 50 of them private—to be honored as a Blue Ribbon School. Northshore superintendent Holly Leach, principal Diane Winningham, and other staff members accepted the award at a ceremony in Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. Leach told Heraldnet.com that Northshore stood out due to its faith, fine arts, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), and school culture. NCA’s Cultural Connection groups include parents who are African-American;
February 22, 2018
By Michael C. Mack My life started changing while I was preparing for Christmas in 1987. While I was decorating my apartment, trimming my tree, and wrapping presents to celebrate Jesus’ coming into the world, I realized· he wasn’t really in my world. About that time, I took a class on stress and time management. We were to prioritize our “guiding values,’’ those things in our lives—like job security, financial success, good friends, and faith—that are most important to us. I learned that my leading values were faith and creativity, both of which had little to do with my job
June 20, 2017
God knows what we need before we ask him, and he knew I needed Mike Mack. As the new publisher of Christian Standard Media, my first major responsibility was finding a qualified, passionate editor for Christian Standard. The Lord provided a writer, editor, minister, and disciple maker who already had a great relationship with the magazine, and I”m excited to have him tell you a little about his story. “”Jerry Harris _ _ _ By Michael C. Mack God drastically changed my life in 1988. I found Jesus, found a great church, was baptized, lost my job, started seminary, and
November 20, 2015
By Joe Boyd I was in New York City for business meetings the Friday night of the attacks in Paris. After returning home, my wife and I began to discuss things. I wasn”t a very good conversationalist. (She”s used to that.) I was tired from a long week at work. I was also, like so many, confused about the state of the world and afraid that things would escalate. She asked me to write what I was thinking, suggesting it might help people process. (Maybe she just wanted me to process.) I quickly jotted my thoughts down in my personal
July 13, 2015
We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from Laura Buffington, teaching pastor with SouthBrook Christian Church, Miamisburg, Ohio. ________ Wendell Berry: His poetry, stories, and essays on knowing our place and living in place reshape the world for me every time I read him. Christena Cleveland: Her work on loving through differences is truthful and painful in all the correct ways. Lee Magness: I”m indebted to many teachers
July 4, 2013
LAURA BUFFINGTON Spiritual formation pastor, Southbrook Christian Church, Miamisburg, Ohio “The word of God is powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword” is a truth that comes vividly to life in the preaching and teaching of Laura Buffington. Laura has an uncanny sensitivity into the aspirations and anxieties of others””including those very different from herself””so that her preaching touches the deepest center of needs in her listeners, offering comfort and conviction, understanding and inspiration. She is attuned to current cultural trends, while also being deeply grounded in Scripture. Her sermons bring the heart of Scripture to touch the hearts of listeners.
December 8, 2012
By Jennifer Johnson Building wheelchair ramps for the disabled . . . leading VBS sessions in South America . . . digging wells in Third World countries . . . all of these are popular short-term mission trips. But volunteering at a trade show for the sex industry? Although this type of mission experience is far less common, it was the focus of a four-day trip for several women from SouthBrook Christian Church (Miamisburg, OH) last month. “For the last four years we have partnered strategically with XXX Church, an organization that offers resources and support to fight porn addiction,”
April 9, 2006
By Kent Fillinger While many churches and leaders quote the platitude, “Less is more,” few adopt it as a policy. SouthBrook Christian Church has committed to ongoing simplicity and clarity, and as a result, the church has grown by 103 percent over the last four years. During the 13-year tenure of senior pastor Charlie McMahan, the church has grown from fewer than 100 to almost 3,500. McMahan realized after a span of significant growth that the church had become too complex and needed a period of pruning. McMahan said the church is “ruthlessly continuing to focus” in hopes of achieving
April 7, 2026
John B. Penrose Jr
April 7, 2026
David Faust
March 27, 2026
Rick Cherok