I received the May-June issue of Communion today, a publication of Church of God Ministries. The headliner article is written by Merle Strege and is on "Conflict and Camp Meeting". Strege usually reveals some interesting historical tidbits from our history and provides insightful analysis. This article, however, falls flat on its face. And, it's not really about Strege or even the topic.
Everything about this is strange. First of all, upon closer examination, it is evident that this is not an article at all but an excerpt from one of his books. Second, it appears to me to be a highly edited version, lacking a fully developed argument. The result is a writing that barely makes a point.
Where am I going with this?
At a time when the Church of God is struggling to find effective ways to communicate, it is especially disappointing to see this inert, recycled writing take such prominence, only to disappoint.
I pray we find ways to speak with greater clarity and meaning.
Everything about this is strange. First of all, upon closer examination, it is evident that this is not an article at all but an excerpt from one of his books. Second, it appears to me to be a highly edited version, lacking a fully developed argument. The result is a writing that barely makes a point.
Where am I going with this?
At a time when the Church of God is struggling to find effective ways to communicate, it is especially disappointing to see this inert, recycled writing take such prominence, only to disappoint.
I pray we find ways to speak with greater clarity and meaning.
4 comments:
I agree Lloyd. It was a poor piece. The only reason I can think of why it was published is that Anderson EXPECTS some conflict at this years conference.
Well, I hope I can respond without sounding too defensive.... I could offer the excuse that sometimes editors find themselves in the difficult place of meeting a deadline when someone else failed to produce what was requested, but that would be an excuse only about content. While the excerpt was taken from another piece (as indicated), it was not edited within the published piece (otherwise those ommissions would have been noted). Perhaps it was not a well-chosen segment but what I was trying to get at is Strege's, I think, very important point in the last paragraph, which is bolstered by the excerpt from Stafford's book.
But I am sure it could have all been done in a far less clumsy matter.
I should also say that I am not EXPECTING any conflict at this year's conference...at least this piece was not chosen for that reason
I didn't read the article, but I want to point out that publishing book excerpts is something that is VERY commonly done in magazines like The New Yorker, The Christian Century, Newsweek, etc. etc. That doesn't make it right, but I have read many articles that were exerpts from books and they were great and worked well as a freestanding article.
So I think it's unfair to bash it on that basis. If the article stunk, then just say it stunk. This is a common practice though and Communion is hardly the only magazine to engage in this.
Josh,
Yes, printing excerpts is a standard practice.
But, this article in its context stunk.
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