DRAFT PROPOSAL
1. PURPOSE:
To provide an instrument for Christian dialogue within Auckland's tertiary institutions.
To encourage a united Christian statement to the tertiary community.
To make a place where Christians of different traditions and persuasions can express their faith to one another and to the wider community; to promote a sense of being united in Christ which transcends sectarian interests.
To provide a means for individual and corporate Christian witness.
To reflect the concerns and beliefs of a wide range of Christians in terms of the intellectual and interest level of the journal.
2. EDITORIAL POLICY:
It would be necessary to solicit articles, reviews and comments from a wide range of people in the tertiary institutions. These would need to be planned and deliberately sought; some spontaneous contributions would be forthcoming, no doubt. To do this effectively it would be necessary to have an Editor to coordinate the journal and the contributions and to oversee the production. The Editor would need to work with an Editorial Board which met regularly and helped to generate ideas and develop policy. The Editor would need to make a commitment for two years initially. The Board would be ultimately responsible for the whole enterprise in all its aspects. It is recognised that a Business Manager would be necessary. The task of gaining support for the enterprise would entail a considerable pastoral responsibility on the part of the Board. Handled sensitively this could be a means of bringing together diverse Christian traditions into a more united witness.
3. COST:
There would need to be an initial plan about how costs would be covered. We would certainly need grants from Churches and Chaplaincy Boards, at least for the first period. There would be costs in preparing copy, paper and production. Would we seek to offset some of this by advertising? It is possible that the Council for Christian Nurture, based at Royal Oak (Anglican Diocese of Auckland) may be prepared to have a part in this. A very rough estimate of cost might be around $1,000 per issue. We should aim to attract some $10,000 in funding from donations from Christian Trusts and Chaplaincy Boards and Church administrations. The journal would be distributed free to students but others would be asked to pay.
4. FREQUENCY:
Initially one issue per month, Feb-Nov, may be all we can manage. If the journal is successful it could become fortnightly. A good deal depends on the length of each issue.
5. FORMAT:
What about A3 stapled in the middle? This is comparatively easy to produce on computer and makes good use of the paper. Something like Next Week. Would we have a cover? Perhaps not initially, although it gives a certain class and distinctiveness.
6. NAME:
Different Threads may be too folksy and is now identified with the broadsheet. A new journal requires a new name. It is essential to fix on a name and stick with it.
7. TOPICS:
Theological/philosophical comment of a serious nature; say one article up to 2,500 words per issue.
Biblical exposition; one passage or topic per issue.
Meditation /spirituality.
Pastoral discussion; issues that trouble people, like suffering, death, marriage and sexual relations.
Socio-political comment.
Ethics; specific issues.
Worship/liturgy.
News from the denominations; important decisions. Inter-faith dialogue.
A 'corner' for Christian Groups.
Regular feature writers, perhaps just fairly short pieces.
Reviews of books, films and articles.
8. FIRST ISSUE:
Here are some suggestions as to what might appear in a first issue:
An Editorial setting out the aims of the journal, welcoming readers and encouraging contributions.
A principal article dealing with the question of unity; the theological basis, the present state of the question, its importance, the reality of divisions between Christians. Stuart could write this.
A pastoral piece: say, dealing with the issue of how to handle tension at home, especially for younger students trying their first sense of freedom.
Topical comment: the recent riot in Dunedin; students and booze. Did the police make the matter worse? What should local behaviour be in relation to capping?
Theological/liturgical piece: the relationship between Easter, Ascension and Pentecost; salvation as a single event. Paul Rankin?
Feature; Elbert's column; Vicki's comment.
Biblical exposition: What does the NT say about obedience to authority?
Book or film review: what about The silence of the lambs?
News from Christian groups and individuals in the institutions.
9. CONTRIBUTORS AND READERS:
This proposal is heavily loaded towards the University; this is inevitable since we are connected with this institution. It would be necessary for the Editor to make contacts in the other institutions. The Tertiary Chaplaincy Board would help in this regard. It would be helpful to have a meeting with John Hinchcliffe early on. It would probably be necessary to find a contact or representative in each institution.
30th April 1992
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