Charles Stanley

==Ministry==
Stanley joined the staff of [[First Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia|First Baptist Church of Atlanta]] in 1969 and became senior pastor in 1971.<ref>Buck Lanford, [https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/dr-charles-stanley-honored-for-50-years-of-ministry Dr. Charles Stanley honored for 50 years of ministry], fox5atlanta.com, US, October 7, 2019</ref><ref>Shelia Poole, [https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/atlanta-pastor-charles-stanley-life-principles-bible-hits-million-sold-mark/fqtbXw6L3QYsVvjT9AyQhK/ Atlanta Pastor Charles Stanley's 'Life Principles Bible' hits 1 million mark], ajc.com, US, December 19, 2017</ref>

In 1972, Stanley launched a half-hour religious television program called ''The Chapel Hour.'' In 1977, Stanley founded [[In Touch Ministries]] with the mission to lead people worldwide into a growing relationship with [[Jesus Christ]] and to strengthen the [[Church (congregation)|local church]].<ref name="religionnews.com">Emily McFarlan Miller, [https://religionnews.com/2020/09/14/influential-pastor-charles-stanley-steps-down-at-first-baptist-church-atlanta-after-50-years/ Influential pastor, Charles Stanley, steps down at First Baptist Church Atlanta after 50 years], religionnews.com, US, September 14, 2020</ref> The [[Christian Broadcasting Network]] began televising ''In Touch'' in 1978.<ref>Mark Ward Sr., ''The Electronic Church in the Digital Age: Cultural Impacts of Evangelical Mass Media '', ABC-CLIO, US, 2015, p. 289{{ISBN?}}</ref> The show has since been translated in 50 languages.<ref>Patricia Holbrook, [https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/religion/charles-stanley-leads-life-unwavering-faith/S0JgeesFX3v1WkpeIrP51M/ Dr. Charles F. Stanley leads life of unwavering faith], ajc.com, US, September 15, 2017</ref> In the United States, ''In Touch'' is broadcast on approximately 500 radio stations, 300 television stations, and several [[Satellite television|satellite]] [[broadcast network|networks]] including [[The Inspiration Network (INSP)]] and [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]]. Stanley's [[sermon]]s, along with other audio and video programming, are available on the In Touch website. The ministry also publishes ''In Touch'' magazine. In Touch uses tools like radio, television, magazines and digital media in its effort to advance [[the Gospel]] as quickly as possible.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Station Finder |url=https://www.intouch.org/station-finder?type=television&country=USA&language=all |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=www.intouch.org}}</ref> Stanley took the ministry name In Touch from a [[The Living Bible|Living Bible]] he owned.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Meet Dr. Charles Stanley |url=https://www.intouch.org/meet-dr-charles-stanley |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=www.intouch.org}}</ref>

Stanley's writings and broadcasts address issues such as [[money|finances]], [[parenting]], personal [[crises]], [[emotion|emotional matters]], [[Interpersonal relationship|relationships]], and [[Protestantism]]. According to the In Touch website, "Dr. Stanley fervently believes the Bible to be the inerrant Word of God, a belief strongly reflected in his teaching."<ref name="ITM Stanley bio">{{cite web | website=In Touch | url=http://www.intouch.org/about/about-dr.-charles-stanley/topic/-about-aboutdrstanley-82 | title=About Dr Stanley | url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822024345/http://www.intouch.org/about/about-dr.-charles-stanley/topic/-about-aboutdrstanley-82 |archive-date=August 22, 2010 }}</ref>

In 1985, Charles Stanley was elected [[president of the Southern Baptist Convention]].<ref name="religionnews.com"/><!--Citation on "30" moved to its first appearance in the section. Citation needed here is in support of these three historical sentences.-->

In 2017, Stanley named Anthony George to succeed him as senior pastor of [[First Baptist Church (Atlanta)|First Baptist Church]] at some point in the future.<ref>Shelia Poole, [https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/who-anthony-george-the-successor-for-atlanta-megachurch-pastor-charles-stanley/kiSiogevinOlV02wVZfDoJ/ Who is Anthony George, the successor for Atlanta megachurch pastor Charles Stanley?], ajc.com, US, December 13, 2017</ref> On September 13, 2020, Stanley announced his retirement as senior pastor and transition to pastor emeritus, but noted that he would continue to work at In Touch Ministries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Press |first=Scott Barkley-Christian Index / Baptist |title=Charles Stanley Stepping Down After 50 Years as Pastor |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/september/charles-stanley-first-baptist-atlanta-pastor-step-down-reti.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=News & Reporting |date=September 13, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>