Regular readers will notice a new tagline gracing the cover of this first-ever monthly edition of the Christian Century. These three words hardly replace the significance of previous taglines that have guided the magazine’s editorial direction for the past 122 years. But new language helps situate the Century in today’s world. So let’s take a closer look.
Thoughtful. Imagine a graveyard where only magazines get laid to rest—magazines that once had a following before they ran into trouble, closed up shop, and died. Then envision a local regulation permitting only one-word epitaphs on tombstones. Now, we at the Century intend to serve up religious journalism for generations to come, so we don’t need to pick an epitaph just yet. But if someone were to press us to select a word to describe this magazine’s legacy, I’d offer the word thoughtful.
Thoughtfulness is not only one of the finest fruits of life, it’s at the heart of all good writing. At the Century, we prize reflective writing that’s clear, considerate, and intellectually rigorous. We value a commitment to engaging the truth in ways that help readers understand the communities they live in. Courage and humility remind us that convincing others of what they should believe and think is not our mission.
