One of Nation's Oldest Religious Publishers Goes Digital
Publishers of Zion's Herald, one of the nation's oldest relgious journals, have added a "digital department" of concise and timely commentary on current events. The Web site, ZH World, is a bi-weekly online newsletter. "Zions Herald and ZH World are among the very few national publications targeted to the religious community that are editorially autonomous and independent of support from church institutions or 'caucus groups with an agenda," said editor Stephen Swecker.
The Boston Wesleyan Association, publishers of Zions Herald since 1833, announced today the launch of a new online bi-weekly newsletter, ZH World (www.zhworld.net).
The new publication is edited by Zions Herald editor Stephen Swecker and shares the editorial philosophy and vision of its award-winning parent publication.
"The mission of ZH World is to provide concise and timely commentary on current topics of interest to people of faith," said M. Philip Susag, BWA vice president and publisher. "In some respects, it might be regarded as a 'digital department of the magazine, one that we can update between issues of Zions Herald."
Access to the Web-based newsletter is free for the time being, Mr. Susag stated. As ZH World evolves to include both an e-mail ("e-zine") and print versions, access will be included in an overall pricing strategy for Zions Herald, he said.
| | - Susag noted that the newsletters more frequent publication will help to increase contact with readers of the bi-monthly print magazine, thereby reinforcing their sense of community and participation in the wider religious conversation. It also will appeal to readers pressed for time who appreciate generally shorter articles, Mr. Susag said.
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According to editor Stephen Swecker, the newsletter will feature timelycommentary and observations by regular contributors, but also will provide room for a "forum" of reader contributions and response as the publication expands.
"Zions Herald and ZH World are among the very few national publications targeted to the religious community that are editorially autonomous and independent of support from church institutions or 'caucus groups with an agenda," Mr. Swecker observed.
"We have both the freedom and responsibility to shine the light of truth on both church and culture regardless of the shadows that are cast or the dark places that are exposed," he added.
Zions Herald was founded in 1823 by Methodist lay people and acquired by the Boston Wesleyan Association in 1833 for the purpose of publishing with "boldness and outspokenness on questions which agitate the public mind." It was re-launched in 2000 as a full-color journal of "opinion, news and reflection for 21st century Christians."
The United Methodist Association of Communicators recognized Zions Herald as "best magazine" for 2002. The Associated Church Press recently honored the publication with four awards including an Award of Excellence for best magazine editorial.
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