Christianity Today Cuts 20 Percent of Staff as New Editor Takes Over
Christianity Today laid off roughly 20 percent of its staff and 40 percent of its editorial team this week, days after naming Erik Petrik as its new editor in chief. CEO Nicole Martin said the cuts align expenses with projected 2027 income and shift the magazine toward a mix of staff editors and freelance contributors.
Christianity Today laid off roughly 20 percent of its total staff and 40 percent of its editorial team this week, according to reports from Ministry Watch and Evangelical Dark Web published October 13-14, 2026.
The cuts came just days after CEO Nicole Martin announced on October 2 that Erik Petrik would serve as the magazine's new chief content officer and editor in chief. Petrik, who previously led CT Media and produced podcasts including 'The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill,' is the sixth editor in chief at the publication in less than seven years.
Martin said the restructuring aligns the organization's expenses with projected income for fiscal year 2027. The new model relies more heavily on a combination of staff editors and outside contributors rather than a large team of full-time writers.
Petrik succeeds Marvin Olasky, who served about 18 months in the role. The announcement came during the ministry's 70th anniversary year.
Critics have described the situation as a period of organizational instability. Supporters say the shift reflects broader changes in how Christian media organizations operate and reach audiences.
Christianity Today was founded in 1956 by Billy Graham and remains one of the most widely read evangelical publications in the United States.
