The world recently marveled at photographs from the surface of Mars. The eye-popping images represented an impressive combination of vision and technology. During the long traverse through space, the vessels carrying the Mars rovers experienced many course adjustments to insure pinpoint accuracy for the anticipated landings. Incremental changes built into the spacecraft guidance mechanism made success possible.

Holiness Today, and before it, Herald of Holiness, set out on a voyage to connect English-speaking readers in the Church of the Nazarene through information, inspiration, and education. The God-given talents of previous editors have produced a magazine that has earned the loyalty of our readers and commendations of our peers in the publishing industry.

With this issue, we are making a mid-course adjustment.

Just as the Mars exploration vehicles, Spirit and Opportunity, made adjustments that built on the accuracy and accomplishments of previous probes to Mars, Holiness Today builds on the success of previous editions.

We are guided by constants, firmly fixed on the horizons of both corporate and personal spiritual exploration.

The Book of God guides us. The Scriptures are divinely inspired, and they inerrantly reveal God's will in all things necessary to our salvation. We share a common memory, which is accessible in the stories of our ministries instead of being just enshrined in a museum. The Church of the Nazarene is a global community of faith. Holiness Today embraces this community and offers connection between congregations and institutions, people and mission, heritage and vision. The presence of such notable constants, however, does not guarantee that our endeavors will succeed, or that we will realize our goals.

All Judeo-Christian denominations have access to the Scriptures. Many churches share meaningful community, and cherish their shared memory. We can only be assured of progress as we incorporate the continuous feedback generated by these dynamic elements to adjust our course and fine-tune our vision. Holiness Today links readers to the story, message, and mission of the Church of the Nazarene.

Our goal is to two-fold: First, to heighten the sense of connection by fostering strong links between God's work in the world through the Church of the Nazarene and Holiness Today readers. Second, our goal is to encourage, equip, and empower lifestyles of practical holiness.

Holiness Today has a strong Web presence with additional features that are updated frequently.

Visit the magazine's website often www.holinesstoday.org.

Share your thoughts with us about the course we are pursuing. Thank you for joining us on this journey.

David J. Felter, editor in chief

Holiness Today, July/August 2004

Please note: This article was originally published in 2004. All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed.