Have you set your hopes, your resolutions, your plans for 2008?
My hopes are much as they were each year I served in the pastorate. I hope for our church that in this new year …
“¢ we will shout from housetops the gospel for the salvation of the world God so loves;
“¢ we will love God earnestly and love neighbors sacrificially;
“¢ we will promote justice and ethics near and far;
“¢ we will minister locally and internationally to and with young and old, friends and strangers, citizens and immigrants, red, yellow, black, brown, and white; and
“¢ we will find the ties that bind us together to be stronger than the force fields that would pull us apart.
Given that my vocational ministry changed a couple years ago to editing and publishing, my resolutions have migrated accordingly:
“¢ I resolve to provide our readers accurate news reporting — being mindful that false accusation and inaccurate innuendo have become the preeminent impediments to mobilizing a united front of faithful ministry in our time.
“¢ I resolve to prepare thoughtful editorials and to publish others’ commentaries that, on the one hand, will remind our readers to hearken to the voices of the biblical and Reformed tradition, and on the other hand, will press them to step outside the box of familiarity to risk journeying into Christ’s dangerous missional calling.
“¢ I resolve to be fair, presenting multi-vocal analyses of controversial issues, seeking always to put forward the best presenters of those viewpoints, thereby acknowledging the genuine, heartfelt convictions of sisters and brothers in the faith who disagree on one matter or another.
Hopes and resolutions are good things. They elevate our vision. But they go nowhere unless they turn into plans for action. In 2008, we at The Presbyterian Outlook have big plans.
“¢ In next week’s print issue of the magazine we will introduce a new column, “Benedictory,” which will feature reflections, often on the lighthearted side, by some of the most thoughtful writers in the church: Michael Lindvall, Heidi Husted, Richard Mouw, Christine Chakoian, Earl Palmer, Jana Childers, Ted Wardlaw, Agnes Norfleet, Ted Foote, Karen Sloan, and Craig Barnes.
“¢ Early in the year we will roll out an all-new Web site to put into action what we introduced in the “Web 2.0: The New Connectionalism” edition of Nov. 12. What will it include? Well, think how a village green helps engage fellowship, how an airline hub helps make connections, how a resource center helps do research, and how a bully pulpit helps convey hopes, resolutions and plans — for whoever gets to climb up into it. Your — and the operative term is “Your” — Outlook Web site will do all that and more — for free!
“¢ We will publish special edition magazines packed with even more of the great features you’ve counted on the Outlook to provide through all its years. These editions will come with a whole new look. Watch for them!
“¢ We will provide comprehensive coverage of the upcoming General Assembly, providing the background you’ll need to prepare for it, and then will follow with insightful — and accurate! — analysis of its actions to help us live into its aftermath.
“¢ We will publish more resources to help equip ruling elders and deacons, reminding us all of our principled commitment to maintaining parity among all our church officers, and facilitating the excellent practices that are key to exercising effective leadership in our churches and governing bodies.
We’ve set our hopes, resolutions, plans for the New Year. We’ve cast a big vision for 2008. How about you?
— JHH
