THE BACK PAGE

Given the topic for this issue, perhaps it’s timely to announce our new magazine for today’s man and woman.

It will be called THE MARRIAGE PARTNERSHIP. The first issue will appear this spring, with 132 pages of lively articles, biblical insights, facts, and humor on how to thrive in our marriages despite all the cultural pressures that stifle them.

That’s the good news, and we consider it good news indeed.

However, the news also comes with some disappointment. The new magazine grows out of the publication that, as you know, has reached ministry wives the past four years. Many of you receive Partnership and have noticed the repositioning that has already begun-and you may have had mixed reactions about the changes.

Some Partnership subscribers have loved the new emphasis, but others have written to express dismay. Why, they ask, must the editors change such a helpful magazine?

We, too, have strongly mixed feelings. Our studies showed readers greatly benefited from Partnership, and we wanted to continue it as a ministry. It had four great years! However, we finally had to conclude that publishing it as a magazine solely for ministry wives was financially impossible. We had invested $250,000 over the first four years, but for the future we projected a $100,000 per year loss. That was simply too much.

We still, however, want to reach out to those ministry wives who want a publication of their own. Thus, this summer we will launch another new magazine. It won’t be as large or as colorful as the original Partnership, but it will be targeted directly to the same interests. Still in the planning stages, it will be shaped by people like Ruth Senter, Bonnie Rice, and Jill Briscoe. Subscriptions can be ordered separately, or at a reduced rate with your LEADERSHIP subscription.

In fact, for the next several months, those who renew or subscribe to THE MARRIAGE PARTNERSHIP will get the publication for ministry wives free. (See the card in this issue, or write us.)

Readers of Partnership have consistently shown strong concern about marriages, as have many of the readers of this journal. In fact, when we were talking to pastors about starting LEADERSHIP eight years ago, I remember one saying, “If you really want to help me, give me something for the families in my church!” He saw so many marriages falling apart, he considered their needs a greater priority than his own.

We talked seriously then about doing just such a magazine, and I even developed a formal presentation for our board. But it has taken till now for the publication to become a reality. Certainly the needs have not lessened. Time magazine’s October cover story “Are Women Fed Up?” was a devastating report of marriages gone sour. All the marriage data make at least one thing clear: People today desire good marriages more than ever, but cultural pressures and beliefs massively undermine them.

All of us have experienced in some way the awesome impact of marriage failure. However, as we have planned this magazine, we have been equally impressed by the awesome ripple effect of healthy marriages. So much in life starts-and flourishes or stagnates-with the remarkable, mysterious, humdrum, dramatic relationship between one man and one woman.

How we think about this relationship-and how we act out our perceptions-shapes us, our children, our society. Therefore, THE MARRIAGE PARTNERSHIP will be practical, humorous, enjoyable to read, but it will also provide accessible depth and analysis from exceptionally thoughtful writers.

Can a magazine really do anything for couples? Isn’t there already a glut of marriage materials?

Yes, and no. Only a small percentage of couples are affected by the resources available. Boredom and barriers abound. But that’s where magazine advantages come in. A lively publication can slip in the door issue after issue, commanding attention through strong graphics, articles, and tidbits. It can select the best of the best for the reader and help men and women think about marriage with Christian realism and hope.

Among other features, we’re planning to include in the first issue:

A major section on money in marriage.

Candid experiences from couples about celebrating sex in marriage.

A provocative essay on marriage values in media.

Articles of special interest to men.

A feature called “The Early Years” to get young marriages started off right.

A humor section.

Lots of great cartoons.

Practical articles on making marriages thrive.

Short bits of helpful, interesting, and entertaining information.

We are now talking to dozens of key resource people to shape this magazine into one that will help all of us who are married and one that will be a ministry tool for leaders like yourself.

We’re hopeful you’ll see these two new magazines as helpful resources for the future. I’d be very much interested in any feedback you might send our way.

Harold L. Myra is president of Christianity Today, Inc.