They All Nourished Me . . .
By Joe E. Trull, Editor

•  The Journal—What Is It?
• What Does It Cost To Publish?
  • Financial Summary: June-Dec. 2000
• Quo Vadis
• Finally, My Brothers and Sisters

     My long-time personal friend Chuck Doremus sent me a wonderful story from his Bakersfield home. It seems a church attender wrote a letter to the editor of the newspaper complaining that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. “I’ve gone for 30 years now,” he wrote, “and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me I can’t remember a single one of them. So I think I’m wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.”

     This started a real controversy in the “Letters” column, much to the delight of the editor. For weeks the debate continued until someone wrote this clincher:

     “I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall what the menu was for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: they all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me those meals, I would be dead today!”

     No comments were sent on the value of sermons after that letter.

     Immediately my mind applied the story to our Journal. Christian Ethics Today  began in 1995. If you have read it from day one, you have scanned 33 issues, a total of 1056 pages containing over 400 articles---and that’s not counting Kudzu!

     How many do you remember? Not many by name, only a few by author or subject, but you can no doubt testify, “They all nourished me.”

The Journal—What Is It?

     Since last July, Christian Ethics Today has been a totally independent publication. We are not related to any institution. I need to say one more time for many of you who keep asking, we are nolonger a part of the Center for Christian Ethics [the Center is located at Baylor and is ably directed by Robert Kruschwitz—read his explanation in Issue 30]. The Journal is now totally on its own. Articles are organized in my study in Wimberley, published with the help of five others from Dallas to Des Moines, and totally supported by your gifts and contributions.

www.ChristianEthicsToday.com

     Good things are happening. Thanks to Ray Waugh, bi-vocational pastor in Beeville, Texas (and his church), the Journal is on line. Soon all issues will be available at this web-site. Every week we get new subscribers from this source. Check it out.

What Does It Cost To Publish?

     Probably the most common question I am asked. After publishing four issues and overseeing an audit of our financial records, the following statement gives the answer:

Financial Summary: June-Dec. 2000

INCOME:

         At our first Board Meeting last month (via telephone), these realities were noted:

• Eliminating some initial one-time costs, the average issue requires about $8000-$10,000 for our 2600 subscribers—about $4 per issue.
• Most of the 63 contributors gave about $25 to cover the cost of their subscription.
• However, 95% of our readers (over 2500) did not contribute.
• The $36,000 provided by the previous Board covered the three issues in 2000; the reader contributions covered about one issue!
• One long-time supporter provided a large gift in January “to sustain us while we develop a financial base”—this gift will allow us to continue until October.

Quo Vadis

     Where do we go from here? Everyone I talk with about the Journal, including our supportive Board members, agree that Christian Ethics Today is special—a much needed publication. The Journal provides an inspiring and prophetic voice unavailable elsewhere.

     A reader called last week and indicated he thought the Journal was “heavily endowed” and did not need his financial support. He felt many readers, like him, need to be informed. Thus, this column.

 I am no alarmist. I do believe the Journal will continue—it must! However, as the new editor, I feel compelled to explain to our readers these realities. As a pastor, I always tried to follow the adage, “Trust the Lord and tell the people.”

     Our Board will meet again in June to discuss options. Your input is solicited. Now that we have just received a 501 (c) (3) designation by the IRS, large donations are more possible. Another suggestion is a “fund-raising letter” to all readers. We wish more churches would follow the example of Northminster BC in Jackson, who have had us in their budget.

Finally, My Brothers and Sisters

     What can you do? Much. When I ask for your prayers, I’m not pretending to be religious—to fulfill Foy’s dream and keep the Journal alive is a divine enterprise. Consider a worthy gift in 2001. Many who receive the Journal will not be able to give for valid reasons—include 3 or 4 subscriptions in your gift. Represent us to others. Search out donors who can undergird the Journal. Enlist new readers. Remember, our goal is not raising financial support, but spreading the word of Christian Ethics Today.

     I know you have been “nourished.” I am also confident, “A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (Luke 6:38).     JET

Updated Sunday, December 09, 2001