If this blog post had a soundtrack it would be Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust,” as Newsweek has announced that it will begin to shift to a digital only publication this fall. Of course, I’m not going to say it’s a done deal until it’s literally been done, but it looks like we may not longer see Newsweek on the corner news stands. Of course, that raises the question,
“How much longer will other printed periodicals be able to hold out against the juggernaut that is digital publishing?”
Economic Woes
Clearly, the trend is toward the Internet and away from paper, but how quickly is this trend accelerating? Back in March, Encyclopedia Britannica announced that it would become a digital only publication, but other than these two publications, how many major shifts have there been? As it is, I think we’re seeing more of an economic shift than a technological revolution. Both Newsweek and Encyclopedia Britannica have been experiencing financial woes. Yes, these woes may be, in part, due to a shift in the market toward digital-based publications, but I think that a large contributing factor is the economy in general.
If Newsweek was having financial trouble in a good economy, it would probably restructure the publication a bit, trim some fat, and keep going. However, that’s not the case. Our poor economy is exacerbating Newsweek’s own financial crisis, which has limited their options.
What Should the Church Do?
Even still, I go back to the first question of how long the printed periodical industry will be able to hold out against the burgeoning digital publishing market? How quickly are we, consumers of information, moving toward only digital sources of information? That leads to another question:
How many of us, the readers and authors of ChurchMag, actually regularly read from a printed Bible over a digital Bible?
That’s where the trend is gaining speed: daily reading habits. We’re not going to invest in the type of reading material that we’re not in habit of reading from. Thus, from the Church’s perspective, if the majority—or at least the “active” majority—of our people are shifting or have shifted to a digital-only mindset, the we had better make that shift ourselves and fast. RELEVANT Magazine has made this shift in a rather forward-thinking manner. While still maintaining their print edition—dropping it, as Newsweek has done, would at this present time appear as a sign of financial weakness—they have expanded their web presence and developed an outstanding iPad app. Clearly, they are planning for a paperless future, but they’re not rushing that transition, presenting their content in a variety of manners so that their readers can choose their preferred method.
This is method that the Church must adopt: A multi-pronged strategy that stewards the past with printed publications but also looks forward to the expanding digital market that will, one day, take over.
Do you use a printed Bible or a digital Bible on a regular basis?
What is your church’s publication strategy?
[via Bloomberg | Image via Irish Typepad]
Jimmy says
I still prefer the printed page for some books/magazines and the Bible is one of them. I’ll only read the Bible on my Kindle if I want to take notes or I am pressed for space. I know my way around the book it is way faster to find what I’m looking for with the printed book. The Kindle versions of the Bible are limited by the version’s programming with indexing and navigation.
Phil Schneider says
You know, I think I’m too ADHD because I love going back and forth, though I do feel like I can better studying done with printed editions. And I totally agree about the Kindle and navigation. It can be a huge limiting factor.
Thanks for the comment!
George says
Our church has taken and all digital approach as we are a new plant and don’t have the resources to maintain print media.
I have the Youversion app on my ipad and Love it, i get access to many versions a side-by-side reading mode and commentary from the community about what scripture i am currently reading. Not to mention reading plans and daily verses. Not to knock the paper bible but I feel i can get way more into the word with the app.
Great post!
Phil Schneider says
George, I would have never thought about digital-only church plants. Great insight. Glad you shared it. I don’t personally have an iPad yet, but I’m very anxious to try out YouVersion when I do acquire one. (I love YouVersion for my iPhone.)
Tre Lawrence says
Interesting food for thought,
As the son of a journalist, I literally grew up reading Newsweek and Time, so this hit close to home. The world is becoming increasingly digital, and there isn’t anything wrong with that. I am fairly well invested in YouVersion… I use it for teaching, and even for sermons. I also use Olive Tree.
Even though I admit to not being able to readily get hands on my physical Bible the other day, I am not yet ready to completely retire it, either.
At the end of the day, we need to able to humbly reach people in the medium of their choice.
Phil Schneider says
Great point as usual, Tre. We need to know our people and humbly approach them where they are. We’ve been discussing a similar issue at my church: stewarding tradition as we gradually move forward. Awesome!