[You can now go here, or directly here, to get your free Christian History magazine Issue #100; sorry, USA addresses only]
Ken Curtis, founder of Christian History magazine back in 1982, passed away on Jan 2. His wonderful memorial service was held yesterday at a church in Souderton, PA, where the Curtises attended.
During the last 6 months of his life, Ken dedicated much of his energy and enthusiasm to re-birthing Christian History. As a result, Issue #100, the first print issue of the magazine to appear since Christianity Today International completed its publication run a couple of years ago with #99, is in layout right now for a projected release in late February or March.
Issue #100 explores the creation and influence of the King James Version of the Bible (honoring 2011 as the quatercentennial of the KJV’s first printing). Ken’s son Bill plans to send this issue free to many folks who were subscribers when the magazine ceased publication. Within the magazine will be a response mechanism so people can say whether they would like to continue receiving the magazine.
I believe with all my heart that CH needs to live again. But I am afraid a simple response mechanism in a single issue may not draw enough response to support the magazine’s continued publication (you might say: “O ye of little faith!” A valid criticism 🙂 ).
SO, just thinking: How would one go about starting an internet campaign to let folks know about this issue and to keep CH alive? I am open to any and all suggestions. The more detailed, the better.
By the way–Bill Curtis and I will be meeting about the magazine’s future tomorrow, Monday, Jan 17. I would love to be able to take some suggestions to him along this line.
Background: I was managing editor of the magazine 2002 – 2004 when it was with CTI. I am also acting as managing editor of this “resurrection issue,” along with a small, hardworking team of copy editors, designers, image researchers, and writers–all of whom love the magazine and want to see it live again.
Medieval Wisdom for Modern Christians
Grateful to the dead 
Like the previous replies, I have taught church history and have thoroughly enjoyed using the vibrant and engaging articles and resources that CH provided. I look forward to a revival of the magazine.
You asked for some suggestions; here are a few (take them or leave them:)
1) Start a Facebook Fan Page for Church History Magazine to keep people abreast with the happenings.
2) Have some sort of competition for Facebook users (could use this with a blog, too) – take a “drawing” from the people who have left a comment on the Facebook page or blog and give a free issue (or subscription!). Maybe one random person per month. This could also be done by asking people to blog on their own blogs about the forthcoming CH issue and then an email with a link to the blog back to you. From the list generated, you could randomly select a person for a “give-away” of sorts.
3) Solicit testimonials (both in written form and in audio-visual) from long-time subscribers and post them on social networking sites or on a Youtube channel.
4) Get some key evangelical leaders (Tim Keller, Piper, Scot McKnight, etc.) to give short (3 minute) video vignettes on the importance of church history for their own Christian formation and for their own ministries. These vignettes could be linked on the CH webpage, Facebook, page, blogs, Youtube, etc.
5) Offer “sample” subscriptions to seminarians at a trial student rate. (I’m not offering this ONLY because I’m a seminarian!) 🙂
These are simply some brainstorming ideas – hope they are helpful; if not, just ignore. More importantly, they express my heartfelt desire to see CH back in print.
Blessings!
I would love it if the magazine makes a resurgence….even online.
I teach Church History and would like the resource. If the magazine is revived — I’d like to know about it.
I would love for CH to be back in print. I subscribed a mere 2 issues before it was stopped being published. I thoroughly enjoyed using it in your Church History classes and would love to be able to use it in the future as well. Let me know if there is anything I can do to contribute in any way to help get it back in gear.
I subscribed to CH for years and had just moved back home to care for my mother when I heard they were folding. I bought several of the issues I was missing and as I now teach Omnibus at a Christian classical tutorial I use many of those issues. How funny that yesterday I was searching for my John Wycliffe issue for a class next week. I am using the Bernard issue in class tomorrow. I am so excited that this is being restarted. I have you blog sent to Google reader so I look forward to hearing more.
Historical studies especially with regard to Christianity needs to be vibrant. I have seen a lot of shoddy historical teaching whose maim was to make ones views look good. I think there is a lot we can learn from history. After all God is in control of it.
I appreciate your blog and the good work you do here. If you are working towards making Christian history more popular and readable, i wish you success.