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Why This Christian Paper Refuses to Go Fully Digital Despite Rising Costs

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Faith Facts

  • The Christian Chronicle is maintaining its print edition despite $56,000 monthly printing and mailing costs after overwhelming reader support
  • Readers emphasized the irreplaceable value of physical newspapers for faith-based news, with many saying they read cover-to-cover when holding the paper
  • The publication exceeded its $168,000 fundraising goal for transition costs and now has a $100,000 matching gift available for spring donations

In an era when many publications have abandoned print entirely, The Christian Chronicle is charting a different course. Despite facing substantial financial pressures, the faith-focused newspaper is listening to its readers and keeping the presses running.

The publication’s move to independent nonprofit status has brought multiple challenges, including printing and mailing costs that now total approximately $56,000 per month for 12 annual issues. That’s more than half a million dollars per year just to produce the physical newspaper.

President and CEO Erik Tryggestad posed a direct question to readers in January: Should the Chronicle stop printing? The response was clear and passionate.

“I believe I am more likely to read it cover-to-cover, as I do now,” one reader responded. “I usually keep it out on the counter and read it over the course of a few days. With digital, it wouldn’t be in plain sight for me to keep going back to.”

The feedback revealed something publishers across America are rediscovering: physical newspapers create reading habits that digital formats often can’t replicate. Readers spoke about the tangible nature of holding news in their hands, the ability to read at their own pace and place, and even their appreciation for features like the crossword puzzle.

The Chronicle has invested significantly in its digital presence, offering downloadable PDFs of the print edition, expanded online coverage with video content, and active social media engagement on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. An award-winning podcast is also being enhanced.

Yet none of these digital offerings could substitute for what readers value most about the printed page. Many suggested they would accept bimonthly or even quarterly print editions rather than lose the physical newspaper entirely.

“Having a central location of news for the church helps (to) keep the community feeling part of the larger Christian family,” one reader explained.

The publication is adapting to financial realities while honoring reader preferences. This year, the Chronicle is experimenting with 10 issues instead of 12 to help manage costs while maintaining the print presence readers cherish.

The transition to independence has brought some growing pains. A database migration resulted in some subscribers receiving duplicate copies. The publication is asking affected readers to contact Sawmi Sektak at [email protected] or call (405) 425-5070 to resolve the issue.

Readers should also note a new mailing address. The Chronicle has separated from Oklahoma Christian University’s postal box and now receives mail at PO Box 5240, Edmond, OK 73083-5240. Correspondence can also be sent directly to the office at 2801 E Memorial Rd. Ste 102, Edmond, OK 73013.

Despite the challenges, there’s good news on the financial front. The Chronicle set an ambitious goal of raising $168,000 for one-time transition and equipment costs. Thanks to reader support, that goal was not only met but exceeded.

Currently, a $100,000 matching gift has been secured for the spring appeal. Funds raised will support the publication’s ongoing coverage, including the “Who Are We?” series. Contributions can be made by mailing checks to the address above or through the donate button at christianchronicle.org.

The story of The Christian Chronicle illustrates a broader truth: when publications serve their audiences well and maintain their core mission, readers respond. In a media landscape increasingly dominated by digital-only operations, this faith-focused newspaper is proving that print still has a vital role in connecting Christian communities.

The publication’s commitment to continuing its print edition reflects both financial stewardship and servant leadership. By listening to readers and adapting thoughtfully rather than abandoning what works, the Chronicle is charting a sustainable path forward that honors both its mission and its audience.

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Dallas Denies Permit to Anti-Trump Protesters Before Major Republican Gathering

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Faith Facts

  • The city of Dallas has denied a permit to a liberal protest group planning demonstrations near the Republican Midterm Convention.
  • The decision comes as Republicans prepare to gather in Dallas for a significant political event next week.
  • The permit denial affects an anti-Trump organization that sought to stage protests in proximity to the convention venue.

The city of Dallas has made the decision not to issue a permit for a planned protest near the Republican Midterm Convention scheduled for next week. The move has sparked conversation about public safety, city planning, and the rights of political expression in the lead-up to a major conservative gathering.

The denial affects a liberal, anti-Trump protest group that had sought official permission to demonstrate in the vicinity of the convention. City officials have not issued detailed public statements explaining the specific grounds for the permit denial, though such decisions typically involve considerations of public safety, available resources, and logistical constraints.

The Republican Midterm Convention represents a significant gathering for conservative leaders, activists, and voters as the party positions itself for upcoming electoral challenges. Dallas, a major metropolitan area in Texas, will serve as the host city for this important political event.

Permit denials for political demonstrations often become contentious issues, balancing the constitutional right to peaceful assembly with legitimate municipal concerns about public order and safety. Cities regularly face the challenge of accommodating multiple groups with opposing viewpoints while ensuring that large-scale events proceed without disruption.

The decision comes at a time when political tensions remain elevated across the nation. Conservative gatherings have increasingly faced organized opposition from progressive activist groups, raising questions about how cities should manage competing interests in public spaces.

For many Americans who value law and order, the permit process serves as an important tool for ensuring that demonstrations remain peaceful and that adequate security measures can be implemented. The process allows cities to plan appropriate responses and allocate necessary resources.

The Republican Midterm Convention will proceed as scheduled, with attendees expected to focus on key issues including economic policy, border security, traditional family values, and the defense of constitutional liberties. Such gatherings serve as important opportunities for conservatives to unite around shared principles and strategic goals.

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Former Virginia Political Strategist Sentenced to Prison in Child Exploitation Case

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Faith Facts

  • Randon Sprinkle, a former Democratic Party political strategist in Virginia, received a 10-year prison sentence for distributing child pornography.
  • The case highlights the ongoing national crisis of child exploitation and the need for stronger protections for vulnerable children.
  • Christian advocates continue to call for greater accountability and justice in cases involving crimes against children.

A former political operative in Virginia has been sentenced to a decade behind bars following his conviction on charges related to the distribution of child pornography. Randon Sprinkle, who previously worked as a political strategist for the Democratic Party in Virginia, will serve 10 years in federal prison.

The sentencing represents another sobering reminder of the pervasive threat that child exploitation poses to American families. Law enforcement officials continue to work tirelessly to identify and prosecute those who prey on children through the production and distribution of illegal material.

Child exploitation remains one of the most heinous crimes in our society, devastating innocent lives and destroying families. Christian leaders and child advocacy organizations have long emphasized that protecting children must be among our nation’s highest priorities, regardless of the perpetrator’s position or political affiliation.

The investigation and prosecution of such cases require significant resources and coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. These efforts underscore the critical importance of supporting law enforcement in their mission to safeguard vulnerable children from predators.

As communities of faith, Christians are called to be vigilant in protecting the most vulnerable among us. This case serves as a stark reminder that evil can lurk in unexpected places, and that constant vigilance is necessary to shield children from harm.

The 10-year sentence reflects the severity of the crimes and the justice system’s commitment to holding offenders accountable. Such penalties serve both as punishment and as deterrence to others who might consider similar criminal activity.

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Worship Leader’s Claim About American Mosques Needs Context

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  • Worship leader Sean Feucht made viral claims comparing mosque numbers in Dallas-Fort Worth to Kabul, Afghanistan
  • The statement requires careful examination of available data and religious demographics in both regions
  • Understanding accurate statistics helps Christians engage thoughtfully with America’s changing religious landscape

A recent viral video from prominent worship leader Sean Feucht has sparked conversation among Christian conservatives about the religious landscape of America. In the video, Feucht claims that the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area contains more mosques than the entire city of Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital.

The claim has raised questions about accuracy and context. While Feucht’s ministry has long focused on public worship and cultural engagement, this particular statement requires closer scrutiny to determine its factual basis.

Examining the available data on religious facilities in both regions reveals a more complex picture. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is one of America’s largest metropolitan areas, spanning multiple counties and containing millions of residents from diverse backgrounds.

Kabul, despite being the capital of an Islamic nation, has faced decades of conflict that have affected infrastructure, including religious buildings. Accurate mosque counts in both locations prove difficult to verify with precision due to varying definitions of what constitutes a mosque versus a prayer space.

For American Christians, understanding the religious composition of their communities remains important for effective ministry and cultural engagement. The growth of non-Christian religious facilities in the United States reflects broader immigration and demographic trends that have reshaped the nation over recent decades.

Traditional American values have always included religious freedom, even as the nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. How Christians respond to religious diversity while maintaining their own faith and witness continues to be a matter of active discussion in conservative circles.

The viral nature of Feucht’s claim demonstrates the widespread interest among believers in understanding how America’s religious landscape is changing. However, claims that circulate widely also carry responsibility for accuracy, particularly when making international comparisons.

Whether or not the specific numerical comparison holds up to scrutiny, the broader conversation it has generated speaks to legitimate concerns about cultural transformation and the need for Christians to remain informed, engaged, and faithful in their witness.

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