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Relevant Accepts Pre-Orders for Annual Print Compilation, Not Yet Delivered Almost a Year Later

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Relevant Magazine, a for-profit Christian magazine for 20- and 30-somethings, announced in 2020 it would move to a digital format for its long-form journalism magazine.

However, it also said that once a year it would produce a printed compilation that would include the “best RELEVANT magazine content from the year.”

The Orlando-based media company began accepting pre-orders for the annual publication last year for $39.95 plus shipping.

But at least nine months later, no annual publication has yet been shipped to any customers.

One customer related to MinistryWatch that he had pre-ordered the magazine in December 2021. He reached out to Relevant multiple times through email, social media, and help telephone numbers with no replies.

After tagging Relevant talent in a tweet, the customer finally received a reply from the media company on September 27.

The email apologized for the delay in shipping the magazine and for the lack of communication by Relevant.

The email from a customer support representative recited that the Relevant team is small and “bit off more than [they] expected” when announcing the large annual compilation print magazine.

It claims the annual edition will be sent to the printer next week and should be in the hands of those who ordered it in the next three to four weeks, presumably around the end of October. 

Along with the apology, Relevant offered a free subscription to its Relevant+ ad-free digital platform and issued a requested refund to the customer for the print magazine edition.

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“We’ve learned a LOT through this process and will have a much different approach next time,” the email read.

Relevant Magazine founder, Cameron Strang, took a six-month sabbatical from leading the company after accusations of an “abusive” leadership style at the company emerged.

A statement by those who had worked at Relevant accused Strang of “leadership [that] is the primary source of this ongoing, unhealthy workplace environment.” 

It also said that under Strang’s leadership, Relevant’s environment included “insensitivity to the needs of people of color and women, emotionally volatile behavior, impropriety in workplace relationships, and a manipulative, authoritarian leadership style.”

Strang stepped away in September 2019 and returned to the helm in April 2020.

He said he engaged in counseling during his time away to work on the issues.

“I wasn’t a good boss,” Strang said on a Relevant podcast on April 17, 2020. “I can probably sit and explain all the reasons it probably got to that point—started the company when I was 24, by myself, no money, always struggling, always hustling, and always stressed out. I mean for 20 years, you’re not always your best.” 

“I understand that I was not sensitive to those issues,” he said. “I was a toxic leader.”

Relevant did not respond to multiple attempts to reach it for comment.

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Kim Roberts

Kim Roberts is a freelance writer who holds a Juris Doctorate from Baylor University. She has home schooled her three children and is happily married to her husband of 25 years.

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