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| Relevant Magazine | |
|---|---|
| Title | Relevant Magazine |
| Frequency | Bi-monthly |
| Category | Christianity, culture |
| Firstdate | 2003 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Relevant Magazine is an American Christian publication founded in 2003 that addresses faith, culture, and living for young adults. It covers music, film, politics, technology, and spirituality and has been cited in discussions involving Billboard (magazine), Time (magazine), The Washington Post, The New York Times and Christianity Today. The magazine has engaged with figures such as Bono, Beyoncé, Tim Keller, N. T. Wright and institutions like Hillsong Church, Saddleback Church, Harvard University, Yale University and Princeton University.
Relevant began in 2003 amid shifts in youth culture influenced by events like the Iraq War, the 2000 United States presidential election aftermath, and the rise of MySpace. Founders and early staff drew on networks connected to Calvary Chapel, Mars Hill Church (Seattle), LifeWay Christian Resources and independent Christian publishers. The magazine’s trajectory included coverage of the 2008 United States presidential election, the 2016 United States presidential election, and cultural responses to the 2005 Hurricane Katrina recovery. It relocated operations between cities connected to evangelical hubs such as Nashville, Tennessee, Los Angeles, California, and Portland, Oregon. Over time Relevant intersected with movements represented by Emergent Church, Young Life, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Campus Crusade for Christ and networks tied to Saddleback Church leadership.
The editorial mix blends interviews, think pieces, reviews and devotionals addressing artists like Adele, Kendrick Lamar, Coldplay, Switchfoot and U2 while analyzing films such as The Passion of the Christ, The Matrix, The Lord of the Rings and Inside Out. Feature topics have ranged from theological voices including Timothy Keller, John Piper, Dallas Willard, Rob Bell and N. T. Wright to social issues involving organizations like Amnesty International, World Vision, The Salvation Army and debates around policies from Affordable Care Act coverage to responses to Black Lives Matter. The magazine publishes reviews drawing on critics associated with RogerEbert.com, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and engages cultural commentators from The Atlantic, New Yorker and National Review.
Initially distributed through Christian bookstores such as Lifeway Christian Stores and chains linked to Family Christian Stores, the magazine expanded to independent retailers, university campus ministries like InterVarsity Christian Fellowship chapters, and event handouts at conferences such as Momentum Conference and Hillsong Conference. Circulation reported in trade profiles compared to niche titles like Christianity Today and mainstream outlets like Wired (magazine) and Rolling Stone. Subscription models evolved alongside subscription services used by publications such as The New Yorker, Time (magazine), and The Atlantic.
Relevant developed an online platform to host articles, podcasts, and videos competing in digital spaces occupied by Vox (website), HuffPost, Patheos, and Christianity Today online. Podcasts produced by the organization have paralleled programs on networks like NPR, SiriusXM, and independent podcast studios linked to Wondery and Gimlet Media. Video content mirrored formats familiar to YouTube, Vimeo, and streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu in approach, while social campaigns engaged audiences on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
The brand organized and participated in live gatherings alongside conferences like SXSW, The Gospel Coalition conferences, Passion Conferences, and regional events hosted by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and Young Life. Panels and workshops featured leaders and artists including Francis Chan, Beth Moore, Matt Redman, Lauren Daigle and influencers associated with TED and South by Southwest. Collaborations extended to nonprofit partners such as Compassion International, World Vision, and advocacy groups active around campaigns like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter.
Coverage and editorial stances have drawn praise from outlets such as Christianity Today, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and criticism from commentators in National Review, The New York Times, and various evangelical blogs. Critiques focused on perceived positions on issues debated by figures like Rob Bell, discussions around sexuality intersecting with statements from Pope Francis and denominational leaders in Southern Baptist Convention and United Methodist Church. Reviews of cultural features compared Relevant’s approach to coverage by Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and The Atlantic.
Writers, editors, and contributors have included journalists and creatives who also worked with NPR, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, BuzzFeed, HuffPost, Christianity Today, Patheos, The New York Times, and academic voices from Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, Duke University and seminaries such as Fuller Theological Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Guest contributors have ranged from pastors like Tim Keller and Francis Chan to musicians such as Switchfoot and John Mark McMillan.
Category:Christian magazines