This is the first issue of JRTI that I have edited. My background, and perhaps qualifications, are fairly typical: M.Div, Ph.D. (historical and systematic theology), and MLS. Ten years ago (when the journal was published by Haworth) I responded to a “call for editors” and indicated my interest in editing the journal. I had recently left a position at a local community college for one at Northern Illinois University. The corporate recruiter (the dean at a flagship university) opined that my contacts in the area of religious studies and theology were a bit dated. However, Haworth was looking for a general editor for Community and Junior College Libraries … and would I be interested. I was and served as general editor of CJCL 2007–2016. My chief corporate contact for CJCL was Lauren Jackson (now Production Supervisor at Taylor & Francis) who also helped me get this first issue of JRTI off the ground. In addition, I want to thank Katarina Troutman and Laura Fisher from Taylor & Francis for their assistance with copy flow and editor emeritus Don Wicks. Don is not really retired … he is telecommuting.
The first order of business when taking the reins at a journal is empanelling an editorial board. The landscape of scholarly communication has changed over the past decade. Back in the day, editors were tasked with reviewing manuscripts. Now, editors are asking members of the board to provide and solicit copy. The colleagues listed on the roster have all agreed to take on these duties. I will also be adding articles and columns to the mix.
Please consider this missive as our initial call for papers. A journal such as JRTI exists to inform you, our readers. I invite you to take ownership of the journal by contributing material (articles, columns, and reviews) to it.