You're getting younger and we're getting better!
No, that's not idle flattery. These are findings from our most recent reader survey conducted through the January issue. We've crunched the numbers and you are getting younger: more than a third of Record readers are between 65-75 years old. In 2003, the largest age category was the over 75.
The results also show that you continue to like the changes we have been making to the Record. This year, you gave us the highest approval rating ever, and we are delighted that we have pleased you.
One of the most important revelations of the survey is the immense loyalty of Presbyterians to the magazine. We reach almost three-quarters of the active membership of the church. No other religion magazine that depends on voluntary subscriptions is so widely read. Just as important, you spend more time reading the magazine than before.
These results are important because knowing how readers feel about a publication is the most important aspect of publishing. Letters to the editor and subscription renewals are another indication, but nothing beats asking readers directly and we appreciate the time and care you took in responding.
And what do you read? The editorial is where almost a third of readers turn first. Then it's Letters to the Editor followed by People and Places. We're guessing this means you like to read opinions on issues of the days and also see what other people in the church are doing and celebrating.
We are grateful for your affirmation and had hoped it existed because there are always a few thorns in any bouquet of roses. In 2004, the Record lost about 1,500 subscribers from a handful of churches because we published a couple of stories about ministers wanting the church to approve same-sex marriage. Other stories about a minister charged with sexual assault and details of national staff executive salaries, along with including a World Vision ad catalogue last fall, generated complaints to the editor and the board of directors.
The results of this survey have clearly shown that the majority of you want to read these and other stories for the same reason we publish all of them: they are about keeping everyone in the church, not just the clergy and some elders, informed about the life of the community, including the debates. We hope all our stories contribute to the transparency and integrity of the church.
And when you have an opinion on a story, we want to hear about it. Besides an expanded letters section, we have recently opened a whole page for your thoughts on topical issues so that you don't have to be confined to the length of a letter. Send us 600 words on what you think about church, faith, ethics or family life.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey. Your answers will help us improve the Record. Over the coming months, we are planning new columnists and wider news coverage. We are also launching a new web site, www.pccweb.ca/presbyterianrecord. As the site develops, subscribers can expect exclusive, premium web content — material that won't be in the magazine and won't be available to the general public.
We take your loyalty seriously as a trust to speak truth to silence and power. We promise to keep bringing you news about individuals and churches across Canada (along with egregious photos of celebration cakes!). We shall continue to explore stories that affect our society, as we have with the tsunami, AIDS, nutrition and free trade, told through the voices of caring Presbyterians. Future issues will look at genetic engineering, why some churches do better than others, the costs of maintaining church buildings, as well as the growing number of congregations whose ethnic roots are not Scottish.
Finally, there is no better opportunity than to let you in on some extremely happy news. As this issue was going to press, I learned that the Record team picked up 15 awards at the two major church press competitions this year. The Record was honoured for news stories, features, design, artwork, photography, humour and storytelling.
Highlights were two more awards for staff writer Amy MacLachlan, including first place in the Associated Church Press news story division for her June 2004 article, East Toronto Presbytery Says No to Temporary Approval of Same-Sex Marriage. First places were awarded by the Canadian Church Press to storyteller David Webber and humourist Peter Plymley II, as well as for magazine cover design and editorial writing. Overall, the magazine placed second among denominational publications in Canada.
We're proud of our Record and are working to make it even better for you. We hope you're proud too.
