The Christian Sentinel has not been published since 1999, but now we're planning a Sept. 1, 2004 restart. 

How can you help in this regard besides prayer? The magazine is a big concern. After concurring with a number of printers and mailing houses, restarting the Christian Sentinel will cost about $5,000 to produce and to mail out, which we don't have and so we're working on fundraising. I think many on this E-update list know me well enough to know that I am not about money, fundraising or even asking for funds. I believe, as the Bible teaches, that when God guides, He also provides, and so we are trusting Him. But if you feel a stirring in your heart to help us restart the magazine we will earmark your contribution for this purpose and we'll appreciate it greatly. Send your tax deductible contribution to The Christian Sentinel, PO Box 3, Bishop, TX 78343 (USA). If you would like to see past issues go to our website at www.cultlink.com and go to the Christian Sentinel pages.  All past subscriptions will be honored.

But expect the magazine and my future writings to have more of an emphasis on Christian growth, evangelism and overseas missions, and perhaps not as much on confronting false teachers and teachings -- although this is certainly important. The writings of the Apostle John in the area of loving those both within and without the household of faith, and doing good works for humanity have influenced me greatly in recent days. I have also been wondering whether some of what passes for Christian apologetics is actually a cover for a desire by some to argue for the faith in the flesh without loving those deceived by the darkness. Expect us to also introduce some new writers and to accept advertising revenue.

Some may be wondering, "Why haven't we been seeing any Christian Sentinels or E-updates lately?" There have been several reasons for this. This first is a lack of consistent funding and fundraising to sustain the magazine, and the second is that important academic matters kept getting in the way, particularly to keep producing the E-updates with my grueling schedule.  We are also quite literally a "mom and pop" operation without a lot of time spare time on our hands. 

Our last monthly E-Update was produced in August 2003, and I made the painful decision to temporarily suspend production mostly to give me a chance to complete my Ph.D. dissertation work, which has been the challenge of my life. After I defended my dissertation proposal in the Spring of 2003 I was elevated to doctoral candidacy in Temple University's Mass Media and Communication Ph.D. program, which means my status became ABD -- "All But Dissertation." In light of the intensive work it takes to put together a dissertation, combined with my full time work as an assistant professor and director of the journalism program at Texas A&M University - Kingsville, I thought it was best to create a distraction free environment until I got the work done. (I have been in the Ph.D. program since late 1998 -- and was thoroughly distracted the entire time by non academic matters, with moving three times and with family issues.)  Now I am happy to report that my 385-page dissertation is written and read by my Ph.D. committee, and I am traveling to Philadelphia later this week for its defense on June 22. If all goes well, you can call me "Dr." after that point.  Better yet, don't bother. Just "Bill" is fine with me. My dissertation Title: "Borrowed or Stolen? A Study of Plagiarism in Religion, with an Emphasis on Contemporary Religious Media." For a look at some of my research related to the dissertation please click here. Please pray for me during the next several weeks, not only for journey's mercies as I am driving to Philly from South Texas (dropping the kids off with their Aunt Kay and Grandma and Grandpa on the way), but also pray that the defense goes well and that I get last minute organizational and formatting work done this week.

I am very hopeful that following my defense important work in proclaiming the Gospel and defending the faith can move rapidly forward again. I feel I have been "put on the shelf" for a time.  My plans include resuming both the magazine and the E-updates with a tentative E-update restart scheduled for Aug. 1 and a resumption of the much waited and anticipated Christian Sentinel magazine on Sept. 1. I also plan to become involved again with public speaking at conferences, churches and in the media. I have been moving quietly back into ministry during this past year as I became involved as an advisor of a student ministry on campus -- which has been very rewarding. I am also working with apologist Jay Howard on an important investigative project. Pray for us both in this regard.

What are some of my future research projects? I am continuing to look into the issue of the move within all the mainline denominations away from a biblical base into liberalism, which ultimately results in universalism. This could have prophetic overtones. I am researching the issue of radical feminism inside the church, along with the issue of phony degrees and credentials within evangelicalism and Pentecostalism. I am also planning the start of an academic journal on the web that will primarily look at the area of religion and ethics.  We also have more video/DVD projects on the drawing boards.

Also, expect to see some of Jackie's continuing research on the Trinity Broadcasting Network in the near future, although we are not sure under which forum it will appear. Pray for her also she is employed part time at a major university in Corpus Christi, while also working at another part time job -- and continuing her university studies at the same time.

Finally, remember to pray for us.  These are truly evil days in which we now more than ever need to stand for Christ. 

In the Lamb,

WILLIAM ALNOR