News - 10 years of Edge

The Edge still sharp after 10 years
Warburton, Victoria

The Edge is 10. The first issue of The Edge—the magazine for young adults, currently published seven times per year as a supplement to Record—appeared in churches on March 22, 1997.
The Edge began as a special project in connection with the Year of Evangelism in 1997. Then-Record editor Pastor Bruce Manners and inaugural editor of The Edge, Brenton Stacey, launched the magazine in response to research showing that many young people decide to leave the church during their final years of high school.
Initially, funding was approved for just the four issues of The Edge that appeared in its first year. But, since that time, a total of 62 issues have been distributed in Adventist churches, high schools and youth groups across Australia and New Zealand.
“The Edge is specifically designed for the most important niche market in the church,” says Pastor Barry Oliver, general secretary of the South Pacific Division and consulting editor of Record. “It has consistently addressed issues which are of concern to its target audience in language and in a context that are relevant. This has not always been understood by those of us who come from another era. But that is okay.
“While ever it maintains its integrity to our Christian and Adventist roots, The Edge has a place in our church,” he says. “The young people of the Church too often feel marginalised by those of us who are older. We do not set out to do that, but for whatever reason it seems to happen just the same. The Edge is a significant medium through which young people can share their concerns and their faith through their eyes in terms of their world view.”
Former Edge editor, Kellie Hancock, has similar views on the role the magazine has come to play in the life of the church. “The Edge is for young adults and aims to provide an atmosphere of belonging—a ‘place’ where the church listens to their stories and the things that matter to them,” she reflects.
Current and former editors of The Edge met on the weekend of March 3 to reflect on the magazine’s 10-year history and look at the possibilities to grow The Edge into the future. The discussions confirmed the mission and target audience of the magazine, particularly identifying with the magazine’s tagline, “Believe in Christ; Live the life.”
“It’s a timeless statement,” says Mr Stacey. “Christ himself said the same thing. And it’s a statement supported by every article in the magazine.”
According to Mrs Hancock, The Edge is a resource for young people who are endeavouring to do that. “The Edge has not been afraid to tackle the tough topics, the real-life issues kids deal with,” she says. “Sex, suicide, finding a career, pornography, navigating the net, interpreting culture, working out who God is and where they fit in His story.”
Current Edge editor Adele Nash, who started writing as a contributor to the magazine, agrees. “If The Edge can help readers look at problems other young people are facing or to think about Christianity and life differently, it’s a good thing,” she says. “Young people need something to help them connect with the church as a larger church body, not just with the few people who might be at their local church.”
During its decade, The Edge has also supported and reported significant youth events. “Nothing else comes close to Edge’s coverage of events such as the Thailand and Fiji youth congresses, the Underground, REZ10, conference youth events, Adventist musicians and local church youth groups,” says Mrs Hancock.
Online since 2000 and dramatically redesigned in 2005, The Edge web site has become an archive of youth news, ideas, stories, reviews and articles on beliefs, culture and issues. “We hope to continue to build this resource,” says web site coordinator Scott Wegener. “We also hope the site remains a fun and relaxed place that young people can share with their friends who may not yet realise how much God loves them.”
During the past 10 years, The Edge has received a number of awards for its creativity and originality from the Australasian Religious Publishers Association and Edge editors are enthusiastic about possibilities for the future. “Edge is maturing as a masthead, but it continues to speak the same language as young adults.” Mr Stacey comments.
“The Edge reflects the church’s aim to build a faith community based on a relationship with Jesus,” says Ms Nash. “Basically, we’re working to encourage people in their relationships with Jesus, as well as with others—I guess that explains ‘Believe in Christ, live the life.’”—Nathan Brown