Promising paper takes early bow

Launched in mid-September, Christian LifeStyle was available for free pick-up at nearly 500 area churches in addition to many commercial venues, including banks and convenience stores. It was published by Fellowship for Print Witness (FPW), the same organization that publishes ChristianWeek.

Facing cash flow problems, FPW’s management committee decided to put the publication on "indefinite hold" rather than risk continuing losses. "The failure to generate the required ad revenue was the end of the road," says board and management committee chair Dan Burton.

Christian LifeStyle editor Kevin Heinrichs expressed disappointment that the fledgling publication was terminated before it had a proper chance to fly. "The paper was gaining momentum and establishing a place for itself in the marketplace," he says. "It’s very sad that a venture with such potential has ended in its infancy."

According to Burton, "to make this venture viable we’ll need to raise a larger base of capital investment."

At press time, the FPW management committee was taking measures to ensure that the demise of LifeStyle would not further threaten the organization.