15th June 2009

Sponsors, Subscribers and Friends

Dear Reader

Journalism is in the crucible of change as is much of our world. Seven years ago Common Theology was launched on a business model of sponsorship – which we are pleased to see is now emerging as a new financial model for journalism worldwide.

Freed from a purely commercial foundation and sponsored by philanthropy, there is hope that journalism may regain its former role as one of the four pillars of democracy.

As Editor of Common Theology I would very much appreciate receiving your thoughts and opinions on the role and content of our journal for the future.

We have not yet published an edition in 2009 because your Editor needs a sabbatical and there is no-one else currently available to take up the tasks of news-gathering, editorial, sub-editing and publishing.

This is however an opportunity to review the value of our claim to be a lay ministry of the Australian church. This review can only be made via your thoughts and perspectives, as we are a non-profit, community enterprise made up of a small production team, sponsors and readers who are all stakeholders in the journal. We hope to chart the future of Common Theology with the benefit of your response.

I hope you agree that this little journal is worth you turning your mind to such a review and I look forward to receiving your letter, e-mail or phone call by August 31st to help us ensure that Common Theology will have a sound foundation in the public discourse of the future.

All subscriptions will be rolled over to future editions, under the competent management of Anne Bucetti’s doing data.

Maggie Helass
Editor