There can be anywhere from 400-800 messages in a month. If the number of messages is a problem, consider the digest version. Funny you should ask. Again, if you don't have web access, you can do it by e-mail. No one will flame you for bringing it up, but it just isn't true, sorry.
Insanity is optional.
However, most list members opt for it after a while. The list was started by Ron Kneusel and who originally developed the list's home page, The March of the Clouds. Ideally, you should read this FAQ before asking questions, in case your question has been answered here, and many people feel you should listen in a while on a list before you begin posting, but that is by no means required. Peter Thompson maintains a FAQ known as the Phil Phile, which he posts semi-regularly to the rec.music.christian newsgroup. The list was started in December of 1995.