I finally received the first installment of my subscription to Relevant Network this morning (I say finally because I expected it last week).
Anyway, I had wondered what I would get with my subscription, and now I know. I thought I’d pass it on in case your ministry is considering joining the network.
I got a magazine called Relevant Leader. It looks okay–it’s a guide to the resources in the kit (reviews, interviews with artists, etc) along with a handful of extra articles thrown in.
I got 5 copies of the most recent issue of Relevant Magazine. That was nice, but for some reason the magazine has always underwhelmed me. I’ve always felt that they try too hard. But then again, I tend to get annoyed at most things I’m supposed to find cool (like popular music and television programs), so that’s a clue that Relevant is hitting its demographic (for the record, I’m a NPR junkie. If there’s ever anything else on in the car it’s probably because Paula is driving).
I got 7 books (Red Moon Rising, The 250: Evangelism Ideas for Your Campus, Enjoying God, Enter the Worship Circle, Soul Survivor, What’s So Amazing About Grace — Visual Edition, and The Air I Breathe).
I got 2 study guides (one for Red Moon Rising and the other for Soul Survivor).
And I got 5 CDs (Anonymous: Accelerate in Slow Motion, Enter The Worship Circle: The Third Circle, Desperation, Anthony Skinner: Forever and a Day, and Telecast: The Beauty of Simplicity).
Not a bad deal. Not bad at all. I was worried I would be dismayed with my purchase, but I was actually quite satisfied.
I had hoped for some video clips (like the kind of stuff Highway Video puts out), but that wasn’t to be. Perhaps in future installments.
UPDATE: After a little more reflection, I realized that I was surprised at how few of the resources were actually ministry resources. Most were personal growth resources.
As I mentioned before, I was most anxious to receive tools (such as video clips) that would be useful in conducting worship services or planning outreaches or crafting sermons. Videos from Nooma, for example, would be really helpful. Two or three sermons on CD would be extremely useful. A bible study or two would be well-received.
I guess I’d prefer to see 50%+ of the resources be ministry tools and the minority be personal growth materials.
Just some thoughts.
Overall, it’s a great investment. The books and CDs I received were worth far more than I’m paying for the subscription.
You aren’t the only one underwhelmed by Relevant, the magazine. I much prefer the website but I subscribe to the mag as well.
Hope all is well with you and Paula.
Andrew
P.S. — Sorry about the Stanford choke. (From a diehard Mizzou fan who knows the pain of lofty expectations.)
Hey you two, Anthony Skinner here, I just happened to run across this sight and saw my name. I was wondering what you thought of the CD, FOREVER AND A DAY?