Category: In the News

By Michael Smith | The Baptist Paper Many Americans had to adjust to a new normal when they were forced to work from home at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. For David Williams, it was nothing new. For 25 years he has been editor of the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist newspaper — from Texas. Williams’ first stint with the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention was in 1994 when he served as state paper editor and evangelism/stewardship director, before returning to Texas to become pastor of Flower Mound First Baptist Church. He left that position in 2014 to be director of missions for Trinity River Baptist Association in Liberty, …

By Trennis Henderson | The Baptist Paper KEY LARGO, Fla.—Highlighting the theme, “Together Again,” the Association of State Baptist Publications held its annual meeting Feb. 7–10 in Key Largo, Florida. It marked the group’s first in-person gathering in two years after the 2021 meeting was moved online due to COVID-19 safety protocols. ASBP, the professional organization of editors and staff of state Baptist news media, is designed to provide professional development, inspire high journalistic standards and build fellowship and mutual support among participants across the nation. ASBP President Brian Hobbs, editor of the Oklahoma Baptist Messenger, presided over the four-day meeting. In his …

Originally published on Feb. 1, 2021 on The Baptist New Mexican by Kevin Parker ALBUQUERQUE (BNM) – The Baptist New Mexican will transition to a larger monthly publication in March, 2021, due to funding changes and cost increases. Along with the change in publication frequency, churches and individuals will also see adjustments in subscription pricing. The changes will allow the paper to continue publication and online availability and may even bring back some color printed issues, which were totally removed in 2020 due to costs.  Until these changes, the 109-year-old Baptist New Mexican newspaper was one of only two remaining …

Originally posted on Dec. 8, 2020 on The Biblical Recorder by Seth Brown December 12 will mark the last publication of the Biblical Recorder’s bi-weekly newspaper, but it is the beginning of a new era for our printed news. Since 1833, the Recorder has been a news source for North Carolina Baptists. That legacy continues as we publish on more platforms than ever. The forthcoming monthly magazine in January will be an outstanding addition. Former editor Josiah Bailey (1895-1907) honored the Recorder’s 70th anniversary by saying it should be a source of inspiration and a “bond of unity binding an …

Originally published on July 24, 2020 on The Alabama Baptist EDITOR’S NOTE: July 26 is Southern Baptist Media Day in the Southern Baptist Convention. Trusted sources of information and inspiration for almost 200 years, Southern Baptist media have experienced myriad changes and challenges in 2020. Added to the Southern Baptist Convention calendar in 2019, Southern Baptist Media Day, on July 26, is set aside to celebrate how God has used and continues to use Southern Baptist media in His mission. “In a culture where mainstream media continue to face an identity crisis and competition from expert bloggers and TV and …

Originally published on July 22, 2020 by Baptist Press JACKSON, Miss. (BP) — The Baptist Record will cease printing after 143 years, going fully digital and free of charge on its own website, according to editor William H. Perkins Jr. “There came a time when the last buggy repair shop in Mississippi had to close, because the need for horse-drawn carriages had passed,” Perkins said. “As automobiles were to horse-drawn carriages in another era, the internet has brought tremendous change to the news industry, both religious and secular.” Perkins cited the newspaper’s declining print subscription base as a factor that …

Originally published on Feb. 4, 2020 on The Alabama Baptist The Arkansas Baptist News (ABN) recently dissolved its autonomous board of directors and became a convention-run publication, according to an Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) press release Feb. 4. The ABN is the most recent of the traditional state Baptist newspapers, reportedly because of financial and other pressures, to make this move, leaving only four of its kind remaining. The Alabama Baptist (TAB) is one of those four and remains the largest circulated among them. The Arkansas ministry, most often referred to as the ABN, began as a part of …

This article was written by Seth Brown on October 8, 2019 for The Biblical Recorder. Southern Baptist journalism plays a key role in the life of our local, state and national partnerships. Yet, like most traditional press outlets in our society today, our news agencies appear to be caught in a struggle for relevance. Many people in our pulpits and pews are not aware of the value – sometimes even the existence – of Southern Baptist news outlets at the state or national levels. Others may be familiar, but do not believe Southern Baptist journalism has any effect on their …

Margaret Colson wrote this story on July 26, 2019 for Baptist Press about Southern Baptist Media Day. NASHVILLE (BP)– Longtime trusted sources for information and inspiration, Southern Baptist media are now being celebrated and recognized with a day to call their own: Southern Baptist Media Day. Longtime trusted sources for information and inspiration, Southern Baptist media are now being celebrated and recognized with a day, July 28, to call their own: Southern Baptist Media Day.Photo by Shawn Hendricks Recently added to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) calendar, Southern Baptist Media Day, on July 28, is set aside to celebrate how …