News from the editorial department

by Mark Hinds,
general editor for curriculum development for Congregational Ministries Publishing

When I agreed to come to Louisville to serve Congregational Ministries Publishing as its General Editor, I did so with optimism even though I knew well the recent difficulties in the Presbyterian Center. Friends wondered if I was crazy or stupid. After all, nothing good comes out of Louisville, or so some believe. A colleague, on learning of my decision,
commented, “In going to Louisville, you are like Jeremiah, who bought a plot of land as Babylon was besieging Judah.”

Jeremiah’s purchase, inspired by God, was an optimistic sign to all who had eyes to see that the future is in God’s hands. Those of us who have answered Christ’s call to work at 100 Witherspoon Street find comfort and
encouragement in Jeremiah’s purchase. As Sir Ernest Shackleton said, “Optimism is true moral courage.”

In my first four months on the job, I have met and am getting to know committed, capable and ardent Christians who believe with all their hearts that Christ has called them to produce educational materials for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). And our churches seem to agree with
them; gross sales for all Congregational Ministries Publishing products topped $4 million in 2006, up from $3 million in 2005. On top of that, the General Assembly Council’s support of We Believe: God’s Word for God’s
People, our denominational curriculum, is stronger than ever.

While challenges remain, as they always will, we have many reasons to be optimistic about the future of curriculum publishing in the PC(USA), a few of which I enumerate below.

Two new editors have joined our staff: Michael Harper serves as editor for youth and young adult curriculum; Beth Herrinton-Hodge serves as editor for children and youth. Beth and Michael bring extensive experience in the areas of church educational ministry, youth ministry and curriculum writing and editing.

The sixth year of We Believe: God’s Word for God’s People will be released during the 2008–09 season. This fall, the editorial staff has begun the development process for years seven, eight and nine of We Believe. We plan to unveil elements of the new and improved We Believe
during the 2008 and 2009 APCE annual events. I hope that you will send me your thoughts regarding how to make We Believe a better resource.

In the meantime, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue the We Believe Adult Quarterly. Due to poor sales performance, the fall 2007 issue of the We Believe Adult Quarterly will be the last printed quarter
in the series. We regret that it has become necessary to suspend production of this quarterly resource. Good stewardship requires that at times we must make difficult decisions; such a time is now. As you make plans for your educational ministry beyond We Believe for adults, I invite you to visit the Present Word Web site for alternative curricular resources.

In 2000 a group of ten denominational publishers launched BIBLE QUEST: A Bible Story Curriculum for All Ages. The denominational partners, with the PC(USA)’s Congregational Ministries Publishing serving as publisher,
committed to making this curriculum available through 2008. The publication of BIBLE QUEST will end after the summer of 2008 as planned. We will provide further information about possible alternatives to BIBLE QUEST — including the new and improved We Believe — as the time grows nearer for its completion.

For a number of years, we have produced (free of charge) Braille and audiocassette versions of The Present Word for those who are blind or otherwise visually impaired. Recent budget constraints have forced us to
offer these resources for sale by subscription. Many of our visually impaired customers are on fixed incomes, so we need your help in keeping the costs low! We have established an Extra Commitment
Opportunity account for Resources for Visually Impaired Persons. Please consider making a gift to this fund.