You’ll notice a change in this issue. For some time now, Paul Robbins has been encouraging Terry Muck to take over the editor’s note on page 3. True to his strong academic background (M.Div., Bethel Seminary; Ph.D. in comparative religions, Northwestern), you’ll find in his note that Terry provides careful thought and historical perspectives combined with practicality-as, in fact, he does throughout LEADERSHIP. Paul and I are delighted that Terry has assumed the full responsibilities of editor and has developed such an unusually gifted staff.
This completes a cycle that gives Paul and me deep satisfaction. I recall a walk on the Illinois Prairie Path when LEADERSHIP was just an idea, and we wondered if, with our corporate responsibilities, we could or should take on this new publication. Churches seemed in great need, but we knew we would have to “do it out of our hip pockets.” We pledged that we’d bail each other out if the rising water threatened either of our prime responsibilities. At that time we were fond of quoting the verse about one chasing a thousand and two putting ten thousand to flight. (This is the core concept behind our forming the Office of the Publisher,; a team approach we have used for several years. The “office” is actually the two of us working in tandem. { We’ve found a true partnership can multiply effectiveness enormously.)
This is why you’ll also notice we’ve retitled this page. From now on Paul and I will share it, depending on who has the time (and inspiration) to write it. From the beginning, Paul has been deeply involved in the marketing and financial aspects of LEADERSHIP as well as being its founding editor. We will both, of course, continue to be available to Terry for editorial interaction and for specific writing assignments.
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I’d like to share with you this response to my last note:
“I read with interest your ‘Message from the Publisher’ (Fall, 1982). I, too, have received my ‘twenty-six’ promotions from your organization. Rather than be disgruntled, I have received them with interest. I enjoy seeing promotion. I want to find out how others do it. And I am impressed with the drive, the enthusiasm, and the color with which you present your product.
“However, yesterday I discovered my own subscription had lapsed. This is not because I am uninterested. My brother is senior editor of LEADERSHIP. I definitely want the magazines. I faintly recall, in the back of my mind, being aware that my subscription was about to expire. I planned that when the next reminder arrived-number twenty-seven?-it would probably be the one I’d mail in.
“Please do not cull me out of your mailing list too quickly. Some of us need twenty-six reminders.”-Daryl Merrill, pastor, Christian Life Church, Mount Prospect, Illinois.
Well, Daryl’s letter indicates why direct mail must work as it does and why we need all those renewal letters and promotions. Thanks for bearing with us!
As I write about good things happening at LEADERSHIP, I pray for those struggling with bad things happening to them. Many are going through personal and economic crises these days. May those of us caught up in exciting ministries not be blind to God’s rather different work in others, nor think our “successful” endeavors are the axis of all God’s blessing on earth.
Many of us jest about writing the book Humility and How I Achieved It. My son Gregory, six, recently helped put my efforts into perspective. I had just returned from a radio interview and asked, as I came in the door, “Well, Gregory, did you hear me on the radio?”
His response was reassuring and kind: “Yes, Dad, it was a good talk.” I blinked, and then grinned. His tone was paternal, just the way I would say to him, “Yes, Greg, you colored that giraffe beautifully.” Having given me adequate strokes, he returned to the more interesting tangibles of running speed racers across the floor.
We who for a short time give leadership need ever to look through God’s glasses at the labors of others.
Armed with a ready humor toward our own pretensions, we can more genuinely appreciate the ministries of others. Paul expressed this spirit in Philippians 1:3. “All my prayers for you are full of praise to God! When I pray for you, my heart is full of joy, because of all your wonderful help in making known the good news about Christ” (TLB).
We who currently enjoy “success” as well as all those caught in dire circumstances stand together childlike before the Father. Let us pray for a great sensitivity to each other-those who “abound,” and those who face great adversity or seeming barrenness.
Harold L. Myra President, Christianity Today, Inc.
Copyright © 1983 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.
