Mature Living turns 25, reaches 335,000

NASHVILLE — Mature Living, LifeWay Christian Resource’s magazine for seniors turns 25 with 335,000 readers.

“It marks a milestone that the magazine is able to sustain and still attract generations of readers,” said David Seay, the new editor in chief of the magazine. “The circulation figures from the very beginning exceeded what they expected.”

When the magazine began production in April 1977, circulation potential for the first issue was estimated at 40,000. But it actually reached 66,643, Seay said.

Mature Living celebrated its 25th anniversary in April with a special cover featuring the original cover, plus previous anniversary issues and selected covers. Well-known Christians such as Dave Thomas, Andy Griffith, Bill Gaither and Donna Douglas have graced the magazine’s cover, some of whom are featured on the cover of the anniversary issue.

The anniversary issue also marks Seay’s first issue as editor in chief. He is the magazine’s fifth editor in chief, following in the footsteps of John Warren Steen, Jack Gulledge, Randall Apon and Al Shackleford. Seay has worked at LifeWay for 18 years, previously serving as an editor of Sunday School leadership magazines, Growing Churches magazine and various adult Sunday School materials.