Charles Stanley

This article is about the pastor. For other people with this name, see Charles Stanley (disambiguation).
Charles Stanley
Born Charles Frazier Stanley
September 25, 1932
Dry Fork, Virginia, U.S.
Occupation Pastor, televangelist, theologian, author
Years active 1971–present
Religion Christianity
Denomination Southern Baptist
Spouse(s) Anna Stanley (1958–2000)
Children Andy Stanley

Charles Frazier Stanley (born September 25, 1932) is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in northern Atlanta, Georgia. He is the founder and president of In Touch Ministries and also served two one-year terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1984 to 1986. He has an evangelical and dispensationalist theology.[1]

Biography

Stanley was born in Dry Fork, Virginia, just nine months before his father died. Stanley grew up in rural Dry Fork in the outskirts of Danville. At the age of 12, Charles became a born-again Christian, and at age 14, began his life's work in Christian ministry. Stanley received his bachelor's degree from the University of Richmond. He later obtained his Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Fort Worth, Texas. Lastly, he received his masters and doctorate degrees, both in theology – Th.M. and Th.D., respectively – from Luther Rice Seminary, in Florida (which later relocated to Lithonia, Georgia).

Stanley joined the staff of First Baptist Church of Atlanta in 1969 and became senior pastor in 1971. As a young pastor, he was given the motivational book Think and Grow Rich. He has written, "I began to apply the principles of that book to my endeavors as a pastor, and I discovered they worked!" He also wrote, "For years, I read Think and Grow Rich every year to remind myself that the truth of God is not just for one career field. It is for all manner of work and ministry."[2] In 1972, Stanley launched a half-hour religious television program called The Chapel Hour. The Christian Broadcasting Network began televising this show in 1978. In 1982, Stanley founded In Touch Ministries, and its radio broadcasts began to be syndicated. During the 1980s, the ministry's broadcasts were available in nearly every major American media market, usually on Sundays. In 2006, In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley could be heard in 107 languages. Currently, it airs in more than 50 languages worldwide. In the United States, "In Touch" is broadcast on approximately 500 radio stations, 300 television stations and several satellite networks including The Inspiration Network (INSP) and Trinity Broadcasting Network. Stanley's sermons are also available on the In Touch Web site and are downloadable in the form of podcasts, along with other video and audio programming. In Touch also produces a free monthly magazine called the In Touch magazine.

Stanley's writings and broadcasts address issues such as finances, parenting, personal crises, emotional matters, relationships and Protestant Christianity. According to the ministry Web site, "Dr. Stanley fervently believes the Bible to be the inerrant Word of God, a belief strongly reflected in his teaching."[3]

In 2005, Stanley invited Lisa Ryan to co-host a question-and-answer segment called "Bring It Home," which aired after the sermon and advertisements. The Q&A segment was intended to help the audience better grasp the content of the sermon through the use of questions the average listener might ask. The segment was discontinued in late 2006 and replaced by Stanley alone. In early 2007, Stanley began using the final segment of the "In Touch" TV and radio programs to teach on his "30 Life Principles." Related materials and teaching are available online through InTouch.org's "Life Principles Center."[4]

Dr. Stanley has been criticized by theologian Charles Marsh for supporting the invasion of Iraq and for theological error in regards to violence. Marsh charges that Stanley interprets Jesus and the role of the church too closely with government aims while avoiding a military service in his own life.[5]

In addition to his work in Christian ministry, Stanley is an avid photographer. Much of his photographic work is featured in the In Touch magazine, as well as in other materials printed by the ministry (such as the In Touch wall and desk calendars).[3][6]

Family

Charles Stanley's divorce[7] from his wife Anna in 2000 after several years of separation caused a minor controversy in the Southern Baptist Convention, a matter which was complicated by reports that Stanley had said he would resign as pastor if he became divorced. At the time, he did not believe his separation would result in divorce; however, when it did, the FBA members overwhelmingly voted to keep him on as pastor. According to First Baptist Atlanta's bylaws, Stanley will be able to keep his post as long as he does not remarry. Charles Stanley's son Andy Stanley is the pastor of North Point Community Church in nearby Alpharetta, Georgia. Dr. Stanley also has a daughter named Becky, whom Dr. Stanley has mentioned now and again in his sermons.


Stanley's wife of more than 40 years, Anna J. Stanley, originally filed for divorce on June 22, 1993, following their separation in spring of 1992; but, the two of them agreed Anna would amend the lawsuit to seek a legal separation instead ("separate maintenance"), while seeking reconciliation. She again filed for divorce on March 20, 1995. The Moody Radio Network station in Atlanta (then WAFS-AM) took Stanley's daily broadcast off the air during that time, as managers concluded there was no sign of reconciliation.

Bibliography

Television

Year Title Notes
1972 The Chapel Hour Host
1983–1985 The Breakfast Club Host
1990–pres. In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley Host
2002 TBN's Praise the Lord Guest
2011 19 Kids and Counting Episode: "Donating Duggars"

See also

External links

Notes

  1. ↑ David Roach, "End Times: Scholars differ on what Bible says on subject." Baptist Press, Dec. 30, 2009. http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=31963
  2. ↑ Stanley, Charles, 2009, How to Reach Your Full Potential for God, p. 224, Thomas Nelson Publishers, ISBN 978-1-4002-0092-4
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Stanley bio page, In Touch Ministries
  4. ↑ 30 Life Principles, In Touch Ministries
  5. ↑ Marsh, Charles. (2007). Wayward Christian Soldiers: Freeing the Gospel from Political Captivity. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 43-45. ISBN 978-0-19-530720-7.
  6. ↑ Many of his current photographs from Alaska are featured in the ITM Photo Gallery.
  7. ↑ Baptist Press (2000-05-31). "Charles Stanley, wife divorce - Atlanta church affirms pastor". The Layman Online. Retrieved 2007-09-01.