Episcopal Press and News
Episcopal Life Sets Records in Circulation and Income
Episcopal News Service. February 13, 1997 [97-1687]
(ENS) "The bottom line is this --Episcopal Life is healthy and poised to serve the church in its future," Harry Denman of Kansas told members of the Executive Council at its January meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio.
As chair of Episcopal Life's board of governors, Denman traced the progress of the church's national newspaper since its first issue in April of 1990. In seven years, "there have been many changes in our publication which have marked its growth and development," he said.
Denman called the newspaper "the main communications link of any kind in our church," and said that he still harbors dreams that it could go into every home in the Episcopal Church, citing a 1995 resolution from the presiding bishop's Council of Advice asking diocesan bishops to adopt that goal.
The board of governors actually investigated that possibility in 1993 when it asked consultants to determine the costs and the effect on advertising revenues. "They concluded that we could never get access to the names and addresses of more than 75 percent of Episcopalians," Denman told the council. "They also estimated that it would cost the church $2.2 million to provide the publication free to these members." The board was also warned, Denman said, that "such a step would likely jeopardize our advertising base" by eliminating many of the smaller advertisers.
Following the appointment of a marketing director in 1994, the number of diocesan partners who wrap their own newspapers around Episcopal Life has grown steadily. Denman said that with the addition of three more dioceses this spring, the partnership will include 21 dioceses, pushing circulation to nearly 220,000. It now stands at 201,300, an all-time high.
"We have made every possible effort to keep our costs down, and our subscription rates at a reasonable price that most anyone can afford," said Jerrold Hames, editor. "Nearly one-quarter of the church's domestic dioceses are now printing and mailing Episcopal Life with their diocesan publications and sharing our goal to get Episcopal Life into every home."
In 1995, total income -- advertising and subscriptions -- passed the $1 million mark for the first time. Advertising revenues for 1997 are projected for about $425,000, another record. Hames said that the national church has recognized the newspaper as a priority by committing financial resources to its development. As income has risen, the subsidy provided by the church has decreased.
Individual annual subscriptions to Episcopal Life are $7; parish plans are $4.50 and diocesan plans are $3 per year. Information is available from Victoria Baker, marketing director, at 1-800-334-7626 (ext. 5391) or victoria.baker@ecunet.org.