Cross Rhythms to become a cassette-mounted magazine

CROSS RHYTHMS magazine has announced a radical new initiative in exposing the public to contemporary Christian music. From its December/January (number 18) issue it will become a cassette-mounted magazine, giving its readers a cassette featuring between 10 and 12 new contemporary Christian tracks, interviews, jingles, adverts and contributions from Australian evangelist John Smith in an hour long programme identical to the Cross Rhythms radio programmes currently being broadcast on ILR stations Plymouth Sound, Devon Air and Severn Sound.

This announcement comes hot on the publication of the latest listening surveys for ILR stations carried out by RAJAR which show that since its last survey 'The Cross Rhythms Sunday Experience' on Plymouth Sound has added 175 per cent to its listening figures while the recently launched show on Devon Air has enjoyed a huge listener increase of 900 per cent from the soul programme from whose time slot it took over.

The plan to put a Cross Rhythms taped programme on the cover of every issue of the magazine has the full support of Britain's Christian music companies. Said the programme's presenter Chris Cole, "The Christian public has so few opportunities to hear the best of contemporary Christian music, particularly brand new releases and the welter of up-and-coming artists. The Cross Rhythms tape will become, I believe, an essential resource for the Christian music supporter; a much needed and accessible platform of exposure for musicians seeking to establish a national or international music ministry: and a demonstration to the whole Church of how we can use popular media like radio and music."

Cole is keen that the widest possible use is put to the bi-monthly Cross Rhythms tape programme, including pre-evangelism. "The huge ratings increases enjoyed by Cross Rhythms radio programmes is proof to the churches whom we hope and pray will catch a vision for the mass media proclamation of the gospel, that programmes unflinchingly Christian in their message can capture and hold a 'secular', unchurched listenership by avoiding religiosity and churchiness. The Cross Rhythms taped programmes could be used by readers if they wished as an audio-tract, to be placed in the hands of a non-Christian friend who might not be open to a conventional tract."

To cover the costs of the magazine - which will remain in its current 68-page size and format - and tape, the price of the magazine will INCREASE. From issue 18 each Cross Rhythms will cost £3.50. Said Chris Cole about the price increase: "Cross Rhythms magazine is at a crossroads. It could go monthly and the cost to the consumer would be £1.90 per month or £3.80 bimonthly. I believe that a tape would far better serve the growing CCM scene in the UK and actually reduces the consumer's bimonthly commitment to £3.50 and not £3.80 as required for a monthly publication.