Leaders of Christianity Today summoned staff to a Chicago suburb hotel ballroom in 2025, urging the publication to shift from its traditional evangelical voice to a more digital, TikTok-like approach. COO Nicole Massie Martin opened with a Bible verse about rejoicing in dark times, while interim president Thomas Addington warned of impending layoffs and advocated for a cultural shift. Over 14 months later, more than half of the 79 employees have left through layoffs or resignations, including the editor in chief and four veteran journalists.
Departing staff allege new leadership is abandoning the magazine’s commitment to independent journalism, particularly its investigative work on evangelical misconduct. Deputy editor Bonnie Kristian criticized the leadership for being driven by "fear" and anxiety over reputational and financial loss. Reports suggest editors were discouraged from pursuing stories based on feedback from leadership’s social circles, including an investigation into a faith-based organization with financial ties to the publication.
In a recent controversy, new editor Erik Petrik removed an article about evidence of Elisabeth Elliot’s bisexuality after conservative backlash, citing lack of review by key content team members. The magazine, founded in 1956 by evangelicals including Billy Graham, was long praised for its thorough reporting and independence, notably breaking stories on Ravi Zacharias misconduct. Critics argue its shift reflects broader pressures in media toward caution over principled journalism.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing