Who's who?

From the left: Mike Feazell, Scott Wertz, John Halford, Cella Olive, Paul Kroll, Michael Morrison and Terry Akers

Paul will not be retiring completely. He will still be a part of the team that edits Christian Odyssey. Paul is a very thorough and perceptive editor, even if I sometimes wince when he sends me back material that I thought was ready to publish, usually peppered with edits, comments and suggestions that the rest of us have missed. He is a great asset to any editorial team, and I am thankful that we can still have the benefit of his experience.

Why don’t I take the rest of the page to introduce “the rest of us” who put this magazine together?

Executive Editor Mike Feazell, apart from writing major features, checks everything we publish for doctrinal integrity. We consider it very important that everything we publish is consistent with scriptural truth as we understand it. With a Doctor of Ministry degree from Azusa Pacific University and more than 20 years of editorial experience, Mike has both the professional qualifications and the natural talent for this, and little gets by him. Mike is also editor of the Speaking of Life video log and hosts the fascinating You’re Included video interview series. Both can be accessed at www.wcg.org/av/.

Michael Morrison is Managing Editor, taking care of the many, many practical details, as well as proofreading all copy, and contributing the Bible Study and other features. Michael has a Ph.D. in New Testament from Fuller Theological Seminary. He also is webmaster for the church’s web site, editor of our sister magazine, Together, a professor of theology at Grace Communion Seminary and an adjunct instructor of New Testament at Azusa Pacific University.

I should also mention two other people, without whose efforts you would not be reading this magazine. Celestine Olive manages the circulation, adding new subscribers and directing the flow of correspondence. Cella brings a warm personal touch to what can become a routine task. She is also an ordained elder, a very talented singer and worship leader, but she probably wouldn’t want me to mention that.

Scott Wertz coordinates the magazine’s production with the printers and mailers. Terry Akers, writer in the Personal Correspondence Department, works with Scott to send booklets and bulk shipments of Odyssey to the various congregations that want extra copies for distribution in their local communities.

You might be wondering what is left for me to do. Well, an editor is rather like a Master of Ceremonies, or talk show host. I select the articles and features, and do the initial editing. I also commission future articles, and work with our designer and generally guide each issue through the production process.

All the people I have listed above with the exception of myself, Mike Feazell, and now Paul, operate from our denominational headquarters office in Glendora, California. Most of us have several other responsibilities. I am impressed with how so much can be done by so few. But modern technology has made it possible to do with a few dedicated and talented people what would even 20 years ago have needed a much larger staff and facilities.

One of the most rewarding parts of this job is helping new writers get published. So if you have an idea or an article you think might fit in Christian Odyssey, don’t be afraid to contact me (john.halford@wcg.org). We can’t publish everything, of course, but we are always on the lookout for good ideas.

copyright 2008