News from the Matthias Media team

The imminent end of 2016 brings to 28 the number of years I’ve been leading the team at Matthias Media, although for the first year the team was hardly a team—just me—and for the couple of years after that it was just Ian Carmichael and me.

But starting with Ian, God sent along a saint’s gallery (is that the opposite of a rogue’s?) of godly and gifted people to build and grow the publishing ministry of MM, so that our resources are now known and used all around the world.

Being at the centre of that team has been one of the blessings of my life. It’s not only been a privilege to work with such a wonderful group of people, it has also allowed me think and read and write and edit and publish on an improbably broad range of subjects in Christian theology and living and ministry.

In fact, I’ve accidentally become something of an ideal Christian party guest. Stand me next to anyone and I can have a passably intelligent conversation about just about any Christianity-related subject you’d like to nominate.

But knowing a little about a lot also has its drawbacks. I’ve often felt the frustration of wanting to dive more deeply into some issues, and never having the space or time to do so. In 2017, I’m finally going to rectify that.

As you’ll see from the announcement below, for the next two years I’m taking some time out from Matthias Media to work on a PhD at Moore College. It’s a chance to be refreshed and stretched theologically, to make at least a small dent in the massive un-read book pile, and to do some deeper research that will (God willing) result in more writing for Matthias Media in the future.

I’m grateful to God for so much—for the Board of Matthias Media in granting me this study leave, for Ian’s willingness to step up and take over as CEO, for the current MM team who I know will continue to do an outstanding job, and for you (our readers and supporters and friends) who have made all of it possible.

Tony

New CEO for Matthias Media as Tony Payne takes study leave

After 28 years of service at Matthias Media, author and CEO Tony Payne is embarking on an extended period of study leave from early 2017.

The study leave, expected to continue until the end of 2018, will allow Tony to concentrate on completing his doctoral research on the theology of “edifying Christian speech”. Tony will continue as a Board member of Matthias Media during this period.

Long-time colleague, Ian Carmichael, has been appointed as the new CEO of Matthias Media from 1 January 2017.

“Tony and I have worked in close partnership at Matthias Media for nearly 30 years, and during that time we’ve shared the leadership in different ways”, Ian says. “The significant change is not really my new job title; the big difference will be leading the team without Tony for a while. But I’m looking forward to that challenge and, in addition to some important continuity for the team, I’m also determined to bring some of the fresh initiatives and thinking a new CEO appointment often brings.”

Ian has had a wide variety of roles at Matthias Media since 1988, but for the last two years, Ian has been responsible for marketing as well as for Matthias Media’s publishing program. The organisation is currently recruiting for a new marketing manager so that Ian will be able to focus more on the CEO and publishing roles.

Chairman of Matthias Media, Sandy Grant, commented that the Board sees Tony’s research as an important investment. “As we all know, Tony is an excellent writer and speaker, and we believe this period of study will refresh and equip him to continue giving vital leadership in the disciple-making mission the Lord Jesus calls us all to. The Board is also delighted that Ian accepted our request that he step up and take on the CEO role. Ian has refreshed our publishing output superbly since he has taken responsibility for this area over the last two years.”

Tony Payne said: “I will miss the day-to-day contact with the fantastic team at Matthias Media, but I am looking forward to stepping out of the operational side of publishing for a while, and devoting myself to this period of study. It’s an excellent time for Ian to take over as CEO, and I am confident that Matthias Media will continue to grow and thrive under his leadership. I’m also looking forward to applying the fruit of my research to new writing and publishing projects with Matthias Media once the study leave is over.”