The Press: An End to Nostalgia

Reaching more Protestant readers (454,000) than any other interdenominational publication, the 87-year-old Christian Herald has become a success by relating religion to the familiar problems of everyday life. In its intimate, folksy manner, with such articles as Why I Left Sunday School or How to Listen to a Sermon, the magazine was engaging but seldom provocative. Now the old order is changing. Last week the Rev. Daniel A. Poling, 81, announced that on Jan. 1 he will retire as editor after 40 years on the job. A conservative in his politics as well as his religion, Poling will be replaced by Ford Steward, 56. A staffer since 1938, Stewart has developed some ideas of his own about how to run a religious monthly.

Under Poling, the Herald generally avoided the theological controversies roiling today’s church; Stewart plans to plunge into some of them, possibly even giving space to the new “God is dead” theologians. The Herald will also carry more news, both religious and secular. “In the past,” says Stewart, “there has been an unfortunate liaison between religion and nostalgia on the magazine. Because of the change in general climate of the Christian community, I do feel religious journalism is going to have to reflect this change and keep pace.”