The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation has started 2014 on a high note, coming off a year of record sales and moving in exciting new directions.
In fall 2013, PPC published Glory to God, the new Presbyterian hymnal, to high critical review. The new hymnal has had brisk initial sales and is being mentioned as among the best ecumenical hymnals ever published. The hymnal will continue to be introduced to the church in 2014, with several regional and national events open to pastors, musicians, and laity.
Beginning in 2014, PPC ends its almost twenty-year distribution partnership with Cokesbury to focus on growing its own online marketplaces, TheThoughtfulChristian.com and ThePresbyterianLeader.com. Both marketplaces offer everyday low prices and have been working to improve operations and customer service to offer as good or better customer experience compared to others. Resource prices typically match or beat online prices at Amazon and Cokesbury and the sites feature a thoughtful selection of books and resources from major religious publishers. In addition to online service, both sites are backed up by a customer service program that encourages toll free calls for orders and service at 1-800-554-4694.
PPC will also offer core church supplies—including PC(USA) seal items—in the near future. PPC is also now conducting national book displays and events for the PC(USA) and other denominations under The Thoughtful Christian banner. PPC encourages all PC(USA) clergy, church educational and office professionals, religious academics, and lay members to support the denominational publisher by purchasing books and resources through these websites.
PPC has also turned its focus to strengthening the WJK (Westminster John Knox) publishing imprint. In its 175th year of publishing in the Reformed tradition, WJK has added new acquisitions editors, is increasing the number of new titles published and is employing new marketing muscle to bolster the storied imprint. The Feasting on the Word family of resources edited by Barbara Brown Taylor and David Bartlett and joined by a host of other notable voices have become the favorites of clergy and churches across denominations. The new third edition of The Women’s Bible Commentary has also been well received. New titles from authors such as Walter Brueggemann, Katherine Patterson, Tom Long, Brian Blount, Frances Taylor Gench, N.T. Wright and Martin Thielen are also among the latest and forthcoming titles.
Presbyterian Publishing Corporation is an official denominational publisher of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). With a publishing heritage that dates back more than 175 years, PPC publishes approximately sixty titles each year and maintains a backlist of more than 1,800 titles that are sold throughout the world. In addition to These Days, PPC publishes works under four major imprints: Westminster John Knox Press, Geneva Press, The Thoughtful Christian.com, and The Presbyterian Leader.com.
