The Chronicle says ‘thank you’

All of us at The Christian Chronicle, staff and trustees, want to take this opportunity to say “thank you” for your continuing personal and financial support. Our 2009 Readers’ Survey is just in: It tallied a humbling 95 percent of you who are solidly behind this newspaper and its mission.
What wonderful news — especially in the face of so many renowned newspapers that have been forced to call it quits all over this nation. You’re the reason for our continued service — humanly speaking — and we are very aware and appreciative of that fact.
The Readers’ Survey told us that many of you enjoy — among other things — Churches that Work, a series launched in 2005, providing insights into healthy, growing congregations. You appreciate Dialogues with church leaders who offer beneficial ideas and insights.
Our readers have come to expect  — and receive — first-hand reporting about churches outside the United States. With gratitude, we are able to offer the broadest coverage of church activities around the world. No other publication in our fellowship is read by close to 250,000 people each month. We also learned that 53 percent of our readers also enjoy the online version and e-mail news alerts that have expanded the timely reporting of the Chronicle.
Yes, the Lord has richly blessed us with meaningful kingdom work and by being in the midst of a generous people who are learning what it means to follow Christ.
You know by now that among our priorities is maintaining the highest of journalistic standards. It’s also our prayer and intention to promote as much love and unity as possible among our diverse congregations.  
We hope there are some occasions when you read someone’s personal story and you stop to offer a prayer of thanks for the courage and faith of a Christian you might never expect to meet.
For the past 25 years we have purposely offered lifetime subscriptions for a fraction of the cost of production. Our readers are never billed for a renewal. That decision was an act of faith based upon the belief that the church would be strengthened and challenged by learning about the work of other churches and mission efforts and by listening to church leaders discuss significant ideas.
You have responded with big hearts! And we deeply appreciate the support so many of you regularly give to this kingdom work.  
But, like anything worthwhile, producing a quality newspaper is both a blessing and a huge challenge. Each month we face the formidable (and always rising) cost of producing a quality, 40-page color newspaper.
Monthly costs include $15,000 for printing, $14,500 for postage, $2,800 for mailing, plus salaries and other necessary expenses. We are a frugal enterprise with a full-time staff of only three professional journalists and all expenses carefully monitored by the CEO.
Despite these efforts, there is always a monthly shortfall in our expenses. So, like many ministries, we must occasionally remind our readers of these facts and ask for your financial support. Many of you recently received our fund-raising appeal for the end of our fiscal year, May 31.
We hope, with God’s help, those of you who can will respond positively and give as generously as you can.
We need you.