September 2007

ARTICLE TOOLS

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Odds refers to odds-making, which we don't do at CTI. But we do have an annual fantasy football league, a tradition on our hallways since 1989. As one of the founders, I had the best record in season play the inaugural year, only to get trounced in the first round of the playoffs. Over the years, I've participated on and off—mostly off lately. These days, managing a fantasy football team takes an intelligence and dedication that is not for the fainthearted.

Maybe that's why I play golf instead, which takes a paradoxical combination of rhythm, focus, and calm, all in the midst of searing pressure (something like being a managing editor at deadline). Which brings me to another CTi sports classic: the annual golf tournament, which occurs every August. My team has yet to win it all, but I did sink an impressive 30-foot putt on the 18th hole two years ago, with everyone watching. (Old athletes don't die, they just keep rehearsing moments of glory.)

So we're not sports nuts around here, but we do enjoy our games. And being Christian journalists, a compulsively thoughtful bunch, we cannot let it rest at that. We're continually trying to justify our joys by finding theological meaning in them. Thankfully, Eric Miller, the author of this issue's cover story ("Why We Love Football," p. 26), is one of us in this respect.

Of all the CT editors, though, only one has any sports journalism experience: Mark Moring, the author of the second article in the cover package ("Fumbling Religion?" p. 32), was once a real-life sports reporter.

We come by our passion honestly, if, for most of us, vicariously.

And then there are endings: We say goodbye this month to our 2007 fantasy football league champion, Collin Hansen. We're glad he's leaving the trophy behind, but we wish he were leaving himself behind, too. Collin was our news editor and has written many splendid pieces (see his latest triumph on page 44, "Pastor Provocateur," a profile of Seattle pastor Mark Driscoll). We wish him well as he begins Master of Divinity studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Yes, he wants to be transformed from a journalist into a pastor. With God, all things are possible.

Collin's departure will mean some shifts in responsibilities, with Madison Trammel moving over to news. Some titles are changing as well. "Senior" has been added to mine—someone must have heard I turned 55 last month (which allows me to get discounts at my local golf course). Ted Olsen is now managing editor of news and online journalism. He and I will play tag-team over CT's print and online versions, and David Neff—now editor in chief—if he has any sense, will keep a close eye on us.

One thing that will help us produce even better journalism is your opinions. You can share those—especially on current events, issues, and trends—at www.NationalChristianPoll.com. It's an online Christian research community whose purpose is to provide reliable, unbiased Christian perspective to media and church leaders. Joining is simple, and surveys are easy to take. Plus, each completed survey earns points redeemable for Christian products.

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