Earlier this summer, Good Faith Media (GFM) announced changes to our print offering, transforming Nurturing Faith Journal (NFJ) into Good Faith Magazine. We are nearing the completion of the magazine’s January-March issue and are excited for it to be in the hands of readers in the coming weeks.
In addition to features that have made Nurturing Faith Journal a valuable resource over the years, Good Faith Magazine will venture into new areas, exploring themes at the intersection of faith and culture. It will have a new look and design but will continue to provide reflections and resources emanating from a strong belief in the loving, inclusive and justice-centered heart of God.
The changes are intended to pull more of GFM’s offerings under a unified, cohesive brand. To that end, we are excited to unveil the new cover:
The cover story in the first issue of Good Faith Magazine is an essay about my special relationship with Estonia. In it, I write about how this remote North European country has shaped and reshaped my worldview for almost three decades. I share how interactions with Estonians and a seminary professor helped dismantle my old ideas about missions and evangelism.
Each magazine issue will include sections featuring GFM’s Faith & Democracy and Raceless Gospel Initiatives.
Recurring Columns
Mitch Randall, Faith & Democracy
The Faith & Democracy Initiative, led by GFM’s CEO, Mitch Randall, advocates for an inclusive and just gospel while respecting the First Amendment separation of church and state. It operates from the premise that democracy is the best self-governing system for faith to thrive, and that faith thrives best when the government protects but doesn’t give preference to any system of belief.
In the January-March magazine issue, Randall lays the groundwork for the initiative and invites readers to participate in this essential work.
Starlette Thomas, The Raceless Gospel Initiative
The Raceless Gospel Initiative, led by Rev. Dr. Starlette Thomas, preaches a message that is equal parts ancient and revolutionary: Racism isn’t what most plagues our communities. Race is. The presence and practice of racism (or any other other “-ism”) is only made possible by the human invention of race (or any other human distinction,) an invention that, according to Scripture, is anti-Christ.
In the first Good Faith Magazine, Thomas roots the raceless gospel in the idea of somebodiness and calls on readers to verbally declare their identity as God’s children.
Other recurring columns for the magazine will include articles from our partners at the International Baptist Theological Studies Centre (IBTS) in Amsterdam and Karis Parenting, a faith-based child development program of First Baptist Church, Ashville, North Carolina.
Popular NFJ writer Brett Younger will continue to offer reflections from his unique perspective as a pastor in New York City. His previous column, “The Lighter Side,” will now become “A Minister Goes to the Theater.”
Bible Studies
With Tony Cartledge’s retirement as our longtime NFJ Bible Study curriculum writer, Good Faith Magazine remains committed to providing informative and inspiring scriptural lessons for individuals and small groups.
Earlier this fall, we announced that Kathy and Nathan Maxwell will become our new Bible Study leaders. The Maxwells have decades of experience researching and teaching scripture. Kathy, a New Testament scholar, is the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Central Seminary. Nathan (who, in case you haven’t inferred, is married to Kathy) is an Old Testament scholar and instructional designer at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Kathy and Nathan Maxwell, Good Faith Bible Study Curriculum Writers
The Maxwells will continue our long tradition of faithful exposition of the biblical text and guiding small groups in study and reflection.
Alongside their weekly lessons, the Maxwells will provide a conversation guide and weekly podcast for leaders and class participants to dive deeper into the text for the week.
A guest writer will provide the Bible Study for a 13th week in every issue. For the January-March issue, this will come from Rev. Natalie Webb, pastor at University Baptist Church in Austin, Texas.
Good Faith Advocates
We are excited to present all this and more to our new and longtime readers. The good news is that Good Faith Advocates will receive each quarterly issue of Good Faith Magazine for free! More information on becoming a Good Faith Advocate can be found here.
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Senior Editor at Good Faith Media.
