Give a Bible to a seeker

United Methodist Communications

Office of Public Information

www.umcpresscenter.org



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 23,2010

Nashville, Tenn.:For less than the cost of a matinee movie ticket or a couple of gallons of gas, you can place the New Testament in the hands of a spiritual seeker who has responded to The United Methodist Church's advertisements.



This is United Methodist Communications' message to the church, as the agency begins offering the Rethink Church Edition Common English Bible (New Testament) at no cost to seekers who request it when they visit the Rethink Church campaign website, beginning in October.



United Methodist members and friends are encouraged to make gifts of $5-the cost to print and ship one Bible to a seeker. Gifts are acceptedonline or by texting the word Bible to 27722 to make a $5 gift via cell phone billing*.



Churches may also order their own copiesat $5 each to give away to church visitors or at Rethink Church events in their communities.



The Rethink Church Edition Common English Bible (New Testament) is a special edition that features a seeker-sensitive introduction to the Bible and to The United Methodist Church.



"The Rethink Church Edition is a powerful tool for evangelism," said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. "It introduces the Bible and denomination to seekers with sensitivity to their worldview, in welcoming language."



Accessibility is key to the entire Common English Bible (New Testament), as it is a new translation (not a revision or update) that seeks to make the Bible more readable and understandable without compromising scholarship. The translation is sponsored by the Common English Bible Committee, an alliance of denominational publishers that includes The United Methodist Publishing House. The full Bible translation will be available in fall 2011.



Gifts made by mail can be made payable to The Foundation for United Methodist Communications: 810 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203.



To learn more about the Common English Bible, visit www.commonenglish.com. To learn more about the Rethink Church advertising and welcoming campaign, visit umcom.org/rethinkchurch.



*$5 will be added to your mobile phone bill/deducted from your prepaid account. Message and data rates may apply. See the full termsfor more information.

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Media contact:

Ben Rhodes

[email protected]

615-742-5411