Every now and then it’s nice to get a new suit of clothes that reflect modern styles and tastes. After all, you can only wear that wide-lapel suit for so long until you begin to look like your father.

The Index, as the nation’s oldest continuously published Christian newspaper, has undergone many updates in the past 186 years since it was founded by Luther Rice in 1822. Our current changes, found in our new masthead on page one and the headings at the top of each inside page, reflect more of a tweaking than a major redesign.

Some small publications like The Index would spend thousands of dollars in consultant fees for suggestions from a professional design firm. Others believe that just because you have a software program with a variety of fonts you can make the changes over a cup of coffee during a morning break.

The later, which is common among non-profits, is why so many Christian publications are so poorly designed. We believe our readers deserve more and took months to study leading industry publications to present a style which is contemporary yet classic; has a dash of color yet is simple in its approach.

We could not have come up with such a classy look without the skills of award-winning graphic designer Kelly Durham. She is the brain behind our over-all look and works to assure that each story is presented in an eye-catching manner to pull our readers throughout each issue of the paper.

As we enter the new year, Editor Gerald Harris and The Index staff wants to take this opportunity to renew its commitment to provide you with the most comprehensive coverage of news within the state and around the denomination. Our “Georgia-centric” style of reporting will continue to provide you with Georgia Baptist news that you cannot receive from any other source.

On a sad note, we would like to say goodbye to Liz Pantana, who will leave The Index as receptionist and administrative assistant to Editor Gerald Harris. For the past four years she has been the first voice which many readers encountered as they contact us for questions about their subscription, advertising, or to submit news items.

As we enter 2008 we want to wish our readers the very best in their spiritual growth and issue our sincere thanks for their joint partnership with us in helping to tell the Good News.