By Mark Taylor, Publisher

Standard Publishing’s ministry is to and through the local church. The local church introduces our products to users who need the inspiration, information, or teaching we provide. And many times, the local church’s budget makes our resources available. 

So when one of our editors leaves our offices to serve full-time in a local congregation, we can’t complain—even when the departure is one we’d never have initiated. Such is the case with the transition we’re experiencing now at The Lookout.

Shawn McMullen is leaving the editorship of The Lookout to become senior minister with LifeSpring Christian Church, a multisite congregation in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. This is the last issue with his name on the masthead, and we don’t mind saying we’re sorry to see him go.

Shawn has served well and long at Standard Publishing. He joined us in 1999 as senior editor of teen curriculum before becoming editor of The Lookout in 2001. From 2006-2010 he helped found and then directed the Energizing Smaller Churches Network, which became a branch of Standard Publishing’s ministry. During that time he wrote Unleashing the Potential of the Smaller Church and Releasing the Power of the Smaller Church, two books that have helped thousands of local congregations serve more effectively.

He was also minister with the Church of Christ in Milan, Indiana, during those years and still found time to travel across the country as a speaker for conferences, retreats, and other local churches. Those he’s served in person know him as a quiet, strong, spiritual person, always ready to encourage or laugh with those he meets. Readers of The Lookout have seen his commitment to Bible truth and holy living on the pages of every issue.

When Shawn first told us he was considering this move, we realized replacing him would be no easy task. But the first person we contacted told us she would be willing to serve as editor while we consider the next steps. 

Kelly Carr will shepherd The Lookout for the foreseeable future, in a part-time interim role. We couldn’t be happier. 

We know Kelly, and many of The Lookout’s readers know her too. She served for many years in Standard Publishing’s editorial offices with several different publications: Seek, Devotions, and for a while in 1999 as an assistant with The Lookout! She became editor of our student periodical, ENCOUNTER—The Magazine, in 2000, a post she held for almost 10 years. During that time she compiled and edited two books, Encounters with God and Encounters with God 2. She left in 2009 to become volunteer coordinator with Echo Church in Cincinnati and has pursued an active freelancing career since then. 

Kelly has shown her commitment to the Bible, her expertise with editing both for the printed page and digital media, and her ability to serve both younger and older readers. We know she will continue The Lookout’s weekly contribution to the spiritual lives of many thousands.

Transitions are always challenging. We’re praying for both Shawn and Kelly in their new places of service. We encourage our readers to pray too as we continue to lift up this ministry for his glory.