While we produce some products in printed form, MARS HILL AUDIO has elected to focus attention on audio products for several reasons.

First of all, many people say they don't have time for yet another magazine or newsletter. Reading time is at a premium, but since listening to a tape can be done while driving or while doing something else, more people can fit our products into their schedule if they are audio products.

Secondly, by using the interview format as a main approach, we can solicit the thinking of many experts without having to pay them for taking to time to write an article. Many of our guests are top thinkers in their field who would not have time to produce an article for a small circulation publication.

Third, the interview format enables us to offer a model of thoughtful dialogue about ideas among people who don't agree on everything, who may not even agree on all first principles, but who share some common concerns on some matters. This allows us to show how worldviews interact, and also to promote a style of thinking about contemporary issues that is more reflective than confrontational.

Following our mission statement, our general editorial task is to expose our constituency to the most helpful books, periodicals, and thinkers that will help them to become more discerning disciples of Jesus Christ in the context of a culture that is in radical transition. In deciding what sorts of issues take priority in that task, and what form our response to those issues should take (e.g., radio, audiocassettes, lectures, etc.), we ask a number of questions:

• What beliefs and practices historically treasured by the Church have been challenged by forces of modern culture? That is, where is the Church now tempted to compromise, to be, in the words of St. Paul, conformed to this world? (ESTABLISH NORMATIVE THEOLOGICAL CONCERN)
  
  
• What are the underlying historical, philosophical, and cultural dynamics that drive those challenges and temptations? (STUDY CULTURAL HISTORY)
  
  
• What are some specific, identifiable forms taken by those dynamics that are likely to be encountered by most people who are already culturally engaged? (EXAMINE CULTURAL CRITICISM)
  
  
• Who has written or lectured about those forms in a way that explains the underlying dynamics at stake? (IDENTIFY EXISTING RESOURCES)
  
  
• In what form can we best present the insights of these experts to an educated but general audience? (SHAPE SPECIFIC RESPONSE)
  
  
• What subgroups within the Church are most likely to be interested in developing greater wisdom about these issues? (IDENTIFY AUDIENCE)
  
  

Most of our decisions about what sorts of products to develop and how to develop them are made by scouring bookstores and other periodicals with these questions in mind. Our decisions are influenced by conversations with pastors, teachers, and others who work with the same constituency that we do, as well as by feedback directly from that constituency.

Revised 7 / 1999