wfn.org | Publishing Officials Herald New Resources

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

25-February-1998 
98064 
 
     Publishing Officials Herald New Resources 
 
    by Julian Shipp 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.-During the General Assembly Council (GAC) meeting here Feb. 
11-14, the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC) and the Curriculum 
Publishing Program Area (CPPA) of the Congregational Ministries Division 
(CMD) announced several new resources and encouraging news, including PPC's 
160th  anniversary this year. 
 
    The Rev. Robert W. Bohl of Prairie Village, Kans., PPC board chair, 
said the corporation has published the first in a series of church 
leadership resources in honor of Price H. Gwynn III of Charlotte, N.C., 
former PPC board chair. "To Praise God Boldly," an essay written by the 
Rev. John M.. Buchanan of Chicago, moderator of the 208th General Assembly 
(1996), was distributed recently to about 14,000 leaders in the 
denomination. 
 
    Bohl said PPC has also published a book entitled "Evangelism Is," 
written by former General Assembly moderator the Rev. Clinton M. Marsh of 
Atlanta. Elder Patricia "Pat" Brown, moderator of the 209th General 
Assembly (1997), has written a Geneva Press book entitled "Preaching from 
the Pew." 
 
    "It is an exciting time for the publishing corporation," Bohl told GAC 
members. "I am especially pleased to say that we have established various 
partnerships with our own entities within the church and also distribution 
partnerships with other publishers in this country and in other countries. 
 
    "I am especially pleased to tell you that PPC is responsible for 
publishing the marvelous publication called `Presbyterians - Being Faithful 
to Jesus Christ' with the General Assembly Council," Bohl said. "We are now 
sending out more than a half-million copies. ..." 
 
    Davis Perkins, PPC president and publisher, told the Presbyterian News 
Service that PPC made roughly $700,000 in net income over its expenses for 
1997. He approximated PPC's current cash reserves at $5 million. 
 
    Officials in the CPPA reported good news too. During the CMD Committee 
meeting, Donna Blackstock , CPPA associate director, said sales are 
currently above budget and the 1996 transfer of curriculum functions to CMD 
has resulted in a win-win situation for both the GAC and the PPC. 
 
    During the fall of 1995, when curriculum was a joint project of PPC and 
CMD, PPC officials projected a minimum loss for curriculum in 1997 of $1.2 
million. But in 1996, the General Assembly gave the CMD total 
responsibility for denominational curriculum and the CPPA was born. Through 
efficiencies, the continued loyalty of Bible Discovery and Celebrate 
customers, and new products, CPPA income in 1997 was $119,000 over budget. 
Consequently, officials say, the surplus predicted for 1998 will underwrite 
the development of the new curriculum, Covenant People. 
 
    "The turnaround has been dramatic," said GAC and CMD Committee member 
the Rev. Warren L. Barnes of Sacramento, Calif. 
 
    Blackstock said the first full year of CPPA, has been "busy and 
fulfilling." Upcoming  CPPA activities include 
 
    * continuing to provide congregations with both Bible Discovery and 
      Celebrate curriculum 
    * working with educators to meet needs and determine sound educational 
      strategies 
    * maintaining sales at slightly higher levels than projected 
    * adding a second imprint, Witherspoon Press, under which CPPA 
      publishes noncurriculum materials specifically for the PC(USA) 
    * receiving two publishing awards from the Mid America Publishers 
      Association, one for "Women of Faith" and the other for "The Year of 
      the Bible." 
 
    "We are grateful for the support and encouragement of the CMD 
Committee, the GAC, our colleagues throughout the governing bodies of the 
church, and the individuals in the church at large," Blackstock said. "We 
look forward in our joined efforts to produce quality resources that will 
help all of us work to grow together in the Spirit." 

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