Two things we look for when assigning an article are enthusiasm and familiarity with the topic. So when we decided to focus our journalistic lens on America’s Lutherans, assistant editor Michael G. Maudlin was our hands-down choice. Mickey (even his mother doesn’t call him Michael) spent his formative years attending Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Birmingham, Michigan. After reading Samuel Nafzger’s fine piece on Lutheran beliefs (see page 22), he almost forsook his Episcopal Church membership to head back to the fold. “On paper, it’s hard to find fault with Lutherans,” he said before leaving the CT office to cover the conventions of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
Mickey’s report begins on page 26 and marks his debut as the author of a major article in this magazine. He came to us last January from InterVarsity Press where he served as general books editor. We thought someone who spent as much time with books as Mickey did would be the ideal person to handle our popular book-review section. We were right, as his work in each issue shows. And were it not for our policy against scooping ourselves (you’ll have to wait until the next issue to see what I mean), we could announce a major undertaking that Mickey has spearheaded and that you will enjoy immensely.
By the way, over the past few years we have looked at America’s Catholics, Pentecostals, Southern Baptists, and now Lutherans. Who’s next? Drop us a line with your suggestion, then tune in next November.
One more bit of inside information. It seems the Chicago area is now two areas. Beginning November 11, our telephone area code will be 708.
