ARIZONA
ascentral.com
Glenn Swain
Special for the ABG
Dec. 16, 2004 12:00 AM
Steve Kane is altering the dry-as-dust image of trade publications.
The publisher and editor in chief of Church Executive, a Phoenix-based monthly magazine designed for church administrators, executives and managers of the largest Christian churches throughout the United States, tackles controversial topics with edgy stories and editorials on church sexual abuse scandals, an Episcopal gay bishop and thorny tax-exemption issues.
"We're not muckrakers; we're dealing with issues that most trade publications don't want to put the resources or the intellect into," Kane said. advertisement
"The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We've never had anyone call and say, 'Shame on you for doing that.' They can tell when we've made an effort and tried to do something that's worth their time.
"Trade magazines have a bad rap. They're looked at as being low-grade with copy wrapped around ads. We're serious about adding genuine substance to the magazine and doing legitimate journalism."