Yesterday, I took a risk.
I told you directly that this publication is not receiving the financial support it needs if it is going to continue for years, and hopefully decades, to come.
I was nervous about writing that. I never want anyone here to feel pressured, especially when so many people are already trying to stretch every dollar until it begs for mercy. But the world has a way of putting pressure on ministries like this one to produce the income required to sustain the work. Avoiding that conversation would not make the financial need disappear. It would only keep you from knowing that the need exists. And I also know that not everyone who reads this is struggling financially, and many are blessed and want to support this work.
So many of you raised your hands and said, “Heck yeah, I’m in.”
To every person who became a paid subscriber, upgraded a subscription, or offered additional support yesterday: Heck yeah, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Because of you, we took a significant step toward making Message From the Margins an enduring place where people can find faith, hope, love, and a Christianity still recognizable as the way of Jesus.
I have also begun to understand that this little corner of the internet is having more of an impact than I realized. At a recent conference, I met reader after reader who told me how something they encountered here had helped them pray, think differently, survive a difficult season, or find their way back toward Christ.
I was floored.
Who knew?
Well, apparently the Holy Spirit did.
I believe the Holy Spirit is at work among us. I believe deeply in where this publication is going. Faith, however, does not excuse me from looking at the numbers and being honest with you about them.
Even after yesterday’s wonderful response, we remain far short of what is needed.
Part of being a pastor is caring for the practical life of a ministry. That means running it responsibly, paying the bills on-time, planning beyond next month, and building something sturdy enough to remain here when people need it.
I have chosen a difficult model for doing that. There are no advertisements interrupting the work. The articles remain outside a paywall. Nobody is denied access to prayer, formation, or pastoral care because they cannot afford a subscription.
This publication depends upon the goodwill of its readers, the generosity of those who can contribute, and the grace of God.
Our paid readership currently stands at approximately 2.2 percent. Substack keeps telling me that a healthy supporter-funded publication receives something closer to 10 percent. We have quite a distance to travel, but the goal is not insurmountable.
Most publications send one newsletter each week. I try my level best to give you something five to seven days a week, and usually it is seven. That includes Scripture, prayer, theological reflection, pastoral guidance, and help navigating this strange and exhausting world without losing our souls in the process.
Most importantly, I am trying to faithfully pass along the treasures of the Christian faith: the wisdom, practices, and ways of living close to Christ that are too often forgotten, distorted, or crowded out.
A paid subscription is about $9 per month. For many of us, that is roughly the cost of a hamburger, a fancy coffee, or a beer at the pub. I hope this publication provides considerably more nourishment, although I admit it is less delicious with french fries.
If $9 would create a genuine hardship for you, please continue reading without guilt. I mean that. Pray with us, share the publication, leave comments often, and be part of this community. I’m doing things this way for a reason, we will carry each others burdens as the Gospel explicitly demands.
So, If you can afford it, I am asking you directly to become a paid subscriber today. Your subscription helps keep all of this available to everyone, including the person who needs it but cannot contribute right now. If you can choose an annual or founder level subscription, even better. You’ll save a bit in the long run, and will give us the capital we need to invest in all the amazing programs coming your way soon.
And there is much more coming.
Our new podcast launches this Monday, August 17. I am completing the final editing today, and I cannot wait for you to hear it. This podcast will allow us to carry these conversations further, explore important questions with greater depth, and reach people who may never sit down to read a newsletter.
Then, in September, when the rest of the world heads back to school, we will begin our live Bible studies. It seemed like the proper time to get us back into the classroom too, although I promise there will be no pop quizzes.
Beyond that, I see live and virtual retreats in our future, more books, special guests, and so so so much more… we just need to provide for the time in front of us.
I am tremendously excited about what we are building together. You are my primary focus in ministry, and I am grateful for every person who reads, shares, prays, comments, challenges me, and helps make this community possible.
So, Again, Thank you…
Before we go…
Let us pray.
God of grace and abundance,
Thank you for every person gathered within this community. You know what each of us carries, including the burdens we speak about and those we barely know how to explain.
Strengthen those who are exhausted. Provide for those facing financial uncertainty. Comfort those who are grieving. Give courage to those standing before difficult decisions, and restore hope to anyone who has begun to wonder whether hope is still reasonable.
Protect this community from fear, bitterness, and despair. Help us remain close to Christ and attentive to one another. Teach us to receive the treasures of our faith with gratitude and to share them freely with a world that desperately needs mercy, courage, and love.
Bless the work ahead of us. Give me wisdom to steward it faithfully, humility to listen, and the strength to keep showing up.
May everything we build here serve your people, honor Christ, and help bring your healing into the world.
Amen.
I love you guys. Thank you for being here, and thank you for believing in what Message From the Margins can become.
With enormous gratitude,
And now it’s your turn…
Today, if Message From the Margins means something to you, let us know in the comments. Has a reflection helped you pray, think differently, get through a difficult season, or draw closer to Christ? I would love to hear what this community has meant in your life. Your story may also help another reader understand why this work is worth sustaining.
And if you know someone who would value this work, please share this post with them. A personal recommendation remains one of the most meaningful ways you can help this community grow.