Charles F Stanley

Charles F. Stanley Jr. (1932-2023) was an American pastor and author associated with the Southern Baptist Convention. He served as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta for nearly five decades and was the founder and president of In Touch Ministries, which broadcast his sermons globally via television and radio. Stanley also held the position of president for the Southern Baptist Convention for two one-year terms. His ministry focused on spreading Christian teachings, with a particular emphasis on what he termed "30 Life Principles," which he believed were essential for living a fulfilling life. These principles were influenced by his conservative evangelical and dispensationalist theological views.

Stanley's early life included a significant religious conversion at age 12 and a commitment to Christian ministry by age 14. He pursued theological education, earning multiple degrees. His influential In Touch Ministries, established in 1977, utilized various media platforms, including television, radio, and print, to disseminate his message. His writings and broadcasts covered a range of topics, from finances and parenting to personal crises and spiritual growth, consistently reflecting his belief in the Bible as the inerrant Word of God. He also drew inspiration from secular self-help literature, notably Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich," integrating its principles into his pastoral work. Stanley's personal life included a lengthy divorce that generated some controversy within his denomination.

Charles F. Stanley's pastoral career was deeply intertwined with his expansive media ministry. He joined First Baptist Church of Atlanta in 1969, eventually becoming senior pastor in 1971, a role he held for 49 years before moving to pastor emeritus status. In 1972, he launched "The Chapel Hour" television program, which evolved into the widely recognized "In Touch" broadcast. Founded in 1977, In Touch Ministries aimed to foster a growing relationship with Jesus Christ globally and support local churches. The ministry's reach extended through hundreds of radio and television stations, satellite networks, and its website, offering sermons, audio, and video content in numerous languages. In Touch also published a magazine, utilizing radio, television, print, and digital media to propagate the Gospel. Stanley's teachings addressed practical life issues, including finances, parenting, and personal challenges, consistently grounded in his conviction of the Bible's divine authority.

Stanley's theological stance was characterized as conservative evangelical, with a dispensationalist approach to eschatology. A cornerstone of his teaching was the development of "30 Life Principles," designed to guide individuals toward optimal living. He attributed a significant principle, "Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him," to his Pentecostal grandfather. Notably, Stanley also incorporated principles from Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich" into his ministry, finding them applicable to pastoral endeavors and believing that universal truths could enhance all forms of work and service. This integration of secular success principles with Christian doctrine highlights a unique aspect of his approach to spiritual and personal development.

Beyond his public ministry, Charles Stanley was a father to two children, including his son Andy Stanley, who also became a pastor. An avid photographer, Stanley's work frequently appeared in In Touch publications. His personal life included a protracted divorce, which began in the early 1990s and concluded in 2000. This separation caused a degree of controversy within the Southern Baptist Convention, particularly given reports that he might resign if divorced. Despite this, his congregation voted overwhelmingly to retain him as pastor, with church bylaws permitting his continued service as long as he did not remarry. Stanley was also affiliated with conservative political movements, serving on the board of the Moral Majority.

“Granddad told me, 'Charles, if God tells you to run your head through a brick wall, you head for the wall, and when you get there, God will make a hole for it.'”