Citing the continuing recession, Group Publishing has announced that it will end publication of Rev! Magazine, initially called Vital Ministry magazine.

"For over 12 years, Rev! Magazine has provided thousands of pastors and other church leaders with practical and thoughtful articles and ideas for leadership, outreach, worship, preaching, administration, Christian education and discipleship," Group Publishing said. "However, economies and times change. For the magazine industry in general, this recession has been particularly lethal, aggravated in great part by the paradigm shift of the culture moving rapidly away from printed periodicals to digital delivery systems.

"In addition, printing and postage costs have greatly increased in the last few years," the Loveland, Colo.-based publisher added. "All of these factors have created the ‘perfect storm' that hundreds of magazines have not been able to withstand. After long and diligent consideration, (Group) has made the difficult decision to discontinue the publication of Rev! Magazine. The January/February 2010 issue will be the last one published."

Rev! Magazine Managing Editor Lee Sparks told Christian Retailing that all staff members of the publication have found other positions within Group. "For example, I am now an editor for Group's Hands-On Bible curriculum and FaithWeaver curriculum," he said.

Group's Director of Church Leadership Dave Thornton told Christian Retailing that the company's church leadership department is working on a Rev! Magazine online strategy, which will be announced in April 2010.

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