Readers also reacted mostly negatively when we had now-legendary producer T Bone Burnett write an obituary for John Lennon. Folks couldn’t understand why it was in our magazine. Then there was the time we had Larry Norman write a review of an album by the Gaither Vocal Band. Okay, that was weird. But kinda cool, don’t you think? (He liked it, by the way.) Norman also contributed a review of an Al Green concert. We once did an interview and cover story on Johnny Cash. Bob Dylan was on the cover a few times, but we never got an interview. We interviewed U2’s The Edge, and got in trouble for it because our interviewer actually got the interview for another publication and wrote a separate story for CCM. U2 is fanatical about not wanting to be pigeonholed as a “Christian band,” and we were never allowed to get anywhere near them again. (When I finally met Bono a few years ago, I didn’t bother to mention my association with the magazine.)

I could go on and on with little stories about the “old days,” but you can see that we’re already on the last of our allotted pages. This is the 355th printed issue of the magazine, and of course, the last. There will be those who wonder whether this magazine made any difference in the world. Did it accomplish its goal of making contemporary Christian music better? Or did it merely help create and sustain an insular subculture? It may be more appropriate for others to answer those questions, but I think it did both. For better or worse, in attempting to reflect the “industry,” it also influenced it. But I think it did so with integrity, because it always asked the hard questions. It started out that way, and it has ended up that way. Producing this magazine has always been a delicate balance of pragmatism and idealism—dancing the tightrope of entertainment and ministry, servants and stars.

Personally, I think that self-analysis is healthy and that the questions and even controversies ultimately lead to a healthy place. That said, it has always been my hope that this publication would generate more light than heat, and at the end of the day, I think it has. Regardless of which side of an issue a person would ultimately take, for me, it was always a victory simply to cause someone to think it through. Too much blind acceptance of the status quo is like a rudderless journey to oblivion.

Probably the most fascinating thing I discovered in reviewing the entire history of the magazine is that the issues of yesterday remain the issues of today. We still struggle with what it means to be Christian artists in popular culture and in the church. We still debate the merits of “entertainment” vs. “ministry.” We still fight the war between the spirit and the flesh. We still question motives and deal with issues of God vs. mammon.

What are we to do with all these questions? To quote Mr. Dylan, “the answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.” As the wind of the Holy Spirit guides you, seek balance. And keep asking questions, because questions seek truth.

This magazine has ultimately been about truth-seeking. And it will hopefully always be, even as it moves from the print medium to online. For my final thought, I’ll let the words of Jesus sum up what has always been the guiding principle for this publication: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Indeed.