Our Magazine Rack

Public places often have magazine racks, although some substitute stacks of magazines on coffee tables. Magazine racks in stores are there so that the prospective buyer can do some “prospecting,” that is, looking the magazines over before deciding what to buy – but buying, not just browsing, is the idea. Magazine racks can also be found in places where the public is forced to wait for services – doctors’ offices, auto repair shops, etc. At these places, one is encouraged
to read as much as one wants but to leave the magazine for the next client.
We have a magazine rack at St. Andrew’s, right outside the doors from the hallway into the
Sanctuary. These magazines are for you to read, either while you are waiting for someone or to
take home, and you can take them home “for keeps” or read them and bring them back to share
with others – your choice!
Here are some of the things you’ll find in our rack:
The Christian Century – This is a monthly magazine to which I’ve subscribed for about 20 years.
It is widely considered to be the “flagship publication” of mainline Protestant churches (that’s us,
y’all) in the United States. The Century’s contributors include some of the foremost scholars,
preachers, and Christian thinkers in the world. It was the first major publication to publish Rev.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from the Birmingham Jail.” I get something out of it every
month and I recommend it highly!
The Missouri Methodists – The monthly publication of our Missouri Annual Conference, this
fine magazine will keep you up-to-date on what’s happening in United Methodist churches in our
state and, occasionally, farther afield. I’ve learned a lot about Methodist life and polity over the
last two years from reading this magazine regularly. There may be some things you can learn,
too!
The Upper Room – This quarterly publication is the source for daily devotionals that many
Christians find invaluable for their spiritual growth and comfort. When I was pastor of Good
Shepherd Baptist Church, we kept these in our Narthex and always ran out before the end of the
quarter, often within a week of the time we received them. I was pleased to see these in the rack
at St. Andrew’s when I arrived; a “familiar face” of sorts. But they don’t seem to fly out the door
here. Do you need a daily boost of Scripture and Christian wisdom?
Also, in our magazine rack, you’ll find other, less frequently published items, like annual reports
from organizations we support. And there is information about organizations that help in our
community which you can join as a volunteer (such as CASA) or as a part-time employee (such
as EZMO Transportation). Take a look next time you are in our building and feel free to take
something of interest home with you.

Rev. M. Christopher Boyer