From the Editor
Paul D. Robbins
January 1, 1980
Just writing these words excites me. Exactly one year ago the board and staff of Christianity Today, Inc., sent me on the first of several extensive trips to find answers to the questions, "What are the greatest practical needs of the pastor, the church staff member, and the lay decision maker?" and, "How can we effectively speak to these needs?"
It was like letting the "genie out of the bottle." Everywhere I went the response was overwhelming. People by the dozens began to send four-and five-page typewritten letters offering their perceptions of the practical problems facing their churches and how these problems might be solved. In a few short weeks I had received over 100 article suggestions for the first issue.
In May we sent up a trial balloon (or, if you insist, put out a fleece)—a test mailing to 10,000 names. We received a phenomenal response. The return mail was filled with personal checks ordering from one- to three-year subscriptions, even though the mailing never asked for money! All indicators—spiritual, organizational, and economic said "Go!" . . . and we've been scrambling pretty fast ever since.
It has been fascinating to sort through the letters and conversational notes to determine what should be published in this first issue. One well known pastor. Lane Adams of Memphis, Tennessee, suggested we ought to consider a lead article entitled, "How to Find Enough Time to Read Another Journal." Well said! In the 20 years since my ordination there has never been enough time to read, especially during the years I was involved in public ministry. When I did squeeze out the time, so much of the available material, though stimulating and helpful, did not speak to my "everyday problems." Even when I did find ...
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