wfn.org | "TODAY" MARKS NEW ERA FOR "PRESBYTERIAN SURVEY"

[PCUSA_NEWS@ecunet.org]

21-Apr-95

95124     "TODAY" MARKS NEW ERA FOR "PRESBYTERIAN SURVEY"  
 
                         By Julian Shipp 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--- "Presbyterian Survey" welcomes a new generation of 
readers in June when it becomes "Presbyterians Today," a publication 
designed to bring information and assistance for daily living to 
Presbyterians.  
      
     With a fresh focus on a younger audience, the 128-year-old magazine 
for Presbyterians will sport a clean, contemporary look and much more, 
according to Gary W. Luhr, associate director for the Office of 
Communication of the General Assembly Council. 
 
     " Presbyterians Today' has a strong past, but its focus will be on the 
present and future," Luhr said.  "Magazines change to reflect their times 
and the audience they serve. We think  Presbyterians Today' is the right 
magazine for today's Presbyterian." 
 
      Readers of the new magazine will meet interesting people who are 
making a strong witness to Jesus Christ, learn what it means to be 
Presbyterian as they prepare to enter the 21st century and discover new and 
exciting things happening in the church nationally and in congregations. 
 
     For example, an article by Associate Editor Eva Stimson called "Rock 
n' Roll Church" in the June issue  describes a new Presbyterian 
congregation in downtown Seattle, Wash., that uses contemporary rock music 
and worship in a movie theatre to attract the under-40 crowd. 
 
     Two articles in the same issue examine the intriguing dialogue 
starting to occur between science and religion. "Astronomer on a Spiritual 
Quest," by the Rev. Steven F. Durham, profiles Eric Carlson, a Presbyterian 
elder and senior astronomer at the Alder Planetarium in Chicago, Ill. "A 
Quiet Revolution," by the Rev. James R.M. Young, describes a new 
breakthrough in the science -vs.- religion standoff in which leading 
scientists, theologians and church people -- some of them Presbyterians -- 
are now talking with each other about how to incorporate recent scientific 
discoveries into the Christian faith. Young is pastor of Thalia Trinity 
Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach, Va. 
 
     Readers will also discover what Presbyterians are doing in the world 
individually and in partnership with others, and how being Presbyterian 
makes them part of something larger than their own congregation. 
 
     "Presbyterians Today" is a product of the denomination that was formed 
in 1983 with the reunion of the two leading streams of Presbyterianism in 
the United States. Its immediate predecessor, "Presbyterian Survey," 
evolved out of the former Southern stream, where it had been published 
under several names since 1867, making it one of the oldest magazines in 
the country.  
      
     Additionally, the magazine receives a rich publishing legacy from the 
former Northern church and such magazines as "Presbyterian Life," which in 
its mid-1950s heyday had one of the largest circulations of any magazine in 
the United States. 
 
     Stimson said "Presbyterian Survey" devotees need not be leery of 
change. Many of the magazine's favorite features remain intact, including 
denominational news, biblical reflection, reviews of current media and 
commentary on the church in society and what other Presbyterians are 
thinking. 
 
     "We want people to know that  Presbyterian Survey' is continuing -- 
it's just getting better," Stimson said. "It will still have most of the 
same, solid content that our loyal readers have come to expect." 
 
     Subscriptions to "Presbyterian Today" can be ordered by calling (800) 
227-2872. Discounts are available to churches ordering one of several group 
plans. 
 
 

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For more information contact Presbyterian News Service
  Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Louisville, KY 40202
  phone 502-569-5504            fax 502-569-8073  
  E-mail PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org   Web page: http://www.pcusa.org 

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