Dec. 12, 2008 | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)

The 2009 January/February issue of Interpreter, the ministry magazine of The United Methodist Church, will debut as a digital magazine in addition to the printed publication.

"People are using media today in so many different ways and there are so many different forms of media. It's necessary to provide information in multiple channels," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, top executive of United Methodist Communications, which publishes the magazine.

Hollon said digital media is an important and growing form of communication.

"Interpreter online reflects this transition," he said. "…It allows us to have an immediate, ongoing conversation, and this has become so commonplace that we don't even give it a second thought. We just expect it in a digital world."

Nxt Book will publish the electronic version which will be sent by e-mail to subscribers. United Methodist local churches will receive five printed and five digital magazines—a change from the previous seven printed copies. The free subscriptions go to local church leaders as a benefit of congregations’ support of the denomination's World Service Fund.

Additional magazine subscriptions are also available. Dec. 16 is the deadline for churches to submit subscription forms in order to receive the January/February issue. To enroll, go to the online subscription form and please have the church’s customer number and online password; e-mail csc@umcom.org; or fax (615) 742-5499 or (615) 742-5494. For questions, contact customer service at (888) 346-3862.

Digital features

The digital magazine will carry the same articles and advertisements as the printed version. Readers of the electronic publication will be able to move directly from the table of contents to an article. Web sites in the articles and advertisements will be hyperlinked.

A help button and an online tutorial will help readers discover the features of the new magazine, and technical support will be available by phone during standard business hours and via e-mail outside of business hours. The magazine will auto-adjust to the size of the subscriber’s monitor and settings. The reader has the option of adjusting the window sizes and zoom settings.

Readers can make printed copies of individual stories, as well as e-mail articles to others.

The first Interpreter of 2009 will be the 53rd volume of the award-winning magazine. Published six times a year, each issue includes a cover package of features providing ideas and resources addressing an area of interest or concern to local churches.

Four of the six issues of 2009 will address the denomination’s four areas of ministry focus. The January/February issue will focus on ministry with the poor. Other articles include studies on racism and white privilege; stories about how solar ovens are saving money and resources in Haiti; and Methodism founder John Wesley’s advice on the economy. Also featured are ideas for individuals and churches to observe a Holy Lent.

The Methodist Story was the first magazine of the Methodist Church and was published in 1957. Recognizing the need for the church to "tell its story," the 1956 General Conference directed that there should be a program journal for pastors and local church leaders.

The Methodist Story and Spotlight, the journal of the Evangelical United Brethren Church, combined in 1969 and was reborn as Interpreter magazine.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470.

Resources

United Methodist Communications

Interpreter Magazine

Interpreter Subscription Online Enrollment