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[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

GA99001     Curriculum Publishing Works Feverishly on  
                      Bail-Out Business Plan 
 
FORT WORTH   Faced with a mounting deficit as it awaits the roll-out of the 
new "Covenant People" curriculum in the fall of 2000, Curriculum Publishing 
Program Area officials are scrambling to put together a business and 
marketing plan to stabilize the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s curriculum 
enterprise. 
 
     The hallmarks of the business plan, described in some detail by new 
CPPA interim publisher Jim Marchal during the General Assembly Council 
(GAC) meeting here on June 17, are "on time" delivery of "Covenant People" 
to customers next year; a focus on product sales; and the development of a 
detailed financial plan by the end of this year. 
 
     "We are facing significant challenges," Marchal admitted, "but they 
may lead to even more significant opportunities if the new curriculum is 
brought successfully to market next year." 
 
     Preliminary financial statements presented to the CPPA committee of 
the Congregational Ministries Division (CMD) on June 16 show a deficit of 
$800,000 through the end of May, with the deficit projected to balloon to 
$1.5 million by the end of the year. An additional $1.5 million in 
developmental costs for "Covenant People" means that CPPA will be seeking a 
$2 million-to- $3 million loan from the Presbyterian Mission Program Fund 
during the General Assembly Council's September meeting. 
 
     The curriculum-publishing enterprise also is developing a network of 
advocates called POINT (Presbyterians Organized in Nurture and Teaching) 
people to provide education and training for congregations in the use of 
Presbyterian curricula. The goal is to choose two people from each 
presbytery. CPPA will hire a full-time staff person to manage the network 
of POINT people. Noting that the initial response from the presbyteries has 
been "overwhelmingly positive," CPPA senior editor Faye Burdick said, "When 
people start volunteering in large numbers, you know you're on to 
something." 
 
     Marchal told the CPPA committee that the success of "Covenant People" 
alone will not solve CPPA's financial problems. "We have to expand and 
diversify our income sources," the veteran newspaper advertising executive 
said. 
 
     However, one such new publication created a stir within CPPA. 
Acquisitions editor David Dobson showed committee members a copy of "Union 
in Christ," the theological declaration developed last fall by the 
Presbyterian Coalition, an organization of 19 conservative evangelical 
groups that has been highly critical of the denomination since its founding 
in 1993. 
 
     The book, published by CPPA's Bridge Resources, contains the full text 
of the Coalition's declaration, plus a study guide written by its principal 
authors, professor Mark Achtemeier of Dubuque Theological Seminary and 
Andrew Purves of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. 
 
     "This gives me a discomfort level," said the Rev. Joanne Hull of 
Charlotte, N.C. "Publishing 'Union in Christ' under the Bridge Resources 
imprint makes it look like we're giving denominational endorsement to 
material produced by partisan constituency groups." 
 
     Donna Blackstock, editorial director for CPPA, said the book was 
reviewed by several CPPA editors and "everyone said it's solid 
theologically." Added Dobson: "The bottom line is, it's a money-maker." 
 
     Warren Barnes of Sacramento warned the CPPA to "take care to assure 
the church that we are not aligned with a particular faction." The CMD 
chair, the Rev. John McFayden of Arlington Heights, Ill., said CPPA 
officials "should be prepared for questions, because some are raising 
questions about the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation marketing and 
distributing the Presbyterian Lay Committee's publications, and this will 
look the same to them." 
      
Jerry L. Van Marter 

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