An instrument of great power in promotion of the best interest of the denomination and in advancing the cause of Christ at large ” — that is how a state convention resolution adopted in 1843 described The Alabama Baptist. The paper had begun publication Feb. 4 of that year.
One can only wonder how the messengers to that long-ago annual meeting would have reacted when the Alabama House of Representatives recently adopted a resolution commending The Alabama Baptist’s work and contributions. They might have said, “I told you so.”
House Resolution 919, introduced by Rep. John Merrill, of Tuscaloosa, references the state Baptist paper’s recognition by Associated Church Press (ACP) as the best regional Christian newspaper in the nation. Then the resolution notes, “This award-winning Christian newspaper continues to provide information, inspiration, interpretation and involvement for residents of this state and others to help encourage and equip them to live out the principles of Christian discipleship.”
Among topics cited in the resolution are the ongoing coverage of illegal gambling in the state and the interview with gubernatorial candidates Robert Bentley and Ron Sparks.
Perhaps without intention, the resolution highlights one of The Alabama Baptist’s foremost roles — reporting. That is what provided the potential for the paper to be “an instrument of great power in promotion of the best interest of the denomination” in 1843.
That is what continues to make The Alabama Baptist indispensable reading for Baptists today.
No news outlet in the state has provided more thorough coverage of illegal gambling in Alabama than The Alabama Baptist. Before there were federal indictments or high-profile trials, the state Baptist paper chronicled battles over gambling in county courthouses as well as the Statehouse. That coverage won national awards for each of the past two years. But it is not the awards that are important. It is the fact that The Alabama Baptist’s readers had timely and trustworthy reports about the players, the tactics and the problems related to illegal gambling.
As the House resolution says, the paper has provided information and interpretation that helped encourage and equip readers to live out their Christian discipleship. Illegal gambling is just one example. Each week, The Alabama Baptist provides stories that capture readers’ hearts, reports that lift their spirits, articles that challenge their minds and information that builds up the body of Christ.
The state Baptist paper is the only news outlet in Alabama dedicated to reporting what God is doing among Baptists in the state and around the world. More than 70 percent of The Alabama Baptist’s editorial space features stories that impact Alabama. The paper shares news about what God is doing in the lives of individuals, churches and associations.
The Alabama Baptist addresses moral issues facing the state, providing both a biblical understanding of the issues and information about real-life results related to them.
The state Baptist paper reports all Alabama Baptists do together through the state convention and the Southern Baptist Convention. Each week, The Alabama Baptist also tells stories of Christians around the world who face opposition and persecution simply because they claim Jesus Christ as Lord.
Faithful reporting for nearly 170 years has made the paper a trusted voice in the state. Reporting is fair and balanced. Articles are timely. Information is accurate. Alabama Baptists know The Alabama Baptist will tell them the truth, even when it hurts. Indeed it is the ability to report bad news — sad news — that demonstrates the state Baptist paper’s reporting really is trustworthy.
The Alabama Baptist is fortunate to have a writing staff composed of active Baptists who combine their love for the Lord with the best of Christian reporting. Its work has resulted in the paper winning ACP’s top regional Christian newspaper award for three consecutive years. Perhaps that is why the House resolution adds, “The achievements and exemplary talent in journalism of the staff of the newspaper bring honor to the state of Alabama.”
In 1843, messengers to the Alabama Baptist annual meeting declared, “We urgently recommend to the brethren generally to make a strenuous effort to place the paper in every Baptist family in the state.” That effort continues.
The state convention lifts up the importance of The Alabama Baptist by including Read The Alabama Baptist Day on the denominational calendar. This year, that day is Sunday, July 31.
The state Baptist paper partners with more than 170 churches and associations to combine local news with state news. The result not only saves money for the church or association but also increases communication. Several studies have found church members read more local information when it was combined with The Alabama Baptist than they did when receiving a local church mailout.
Promotion of subscriptions from churches and individuals are always sought.
Today technology drives communication, including the paper’s work. An online (or e-edition) of The Alabama Baptist is now available in addition to the traditional print version. Technology allows for enhancements to the e-edition including videos and other resources and links.
Whatever technology is used, the goal remains the same as that articulated in 1843 — to promote the best interest of the denomination and advance the cause of Christ. That is why the state Baptist paper is required reading as one lives out the principles of Christian discipleship. The Alabama Baptist’s reporting makes it a necessity for every Alabama Baptist.
To those who read the paper each week, thank you. Encourage others in your church or other Baptist friends to read The Alabama Baptist as well. Make sure the state Baptist paper is included in the Christian literature your church provides for its members. Tell others about the stories you read in The Alabama Baptist. Say a good word about the paper as Alabama Baptists focus special attention on the contributions made each week by The Alabama Baptist. And do not forget to pray for the state Baptist paper’s ministry — that it might be “an instrument of great power in promotion of the best interest of the denomination and in advancing the cause of Christ at large.”
Observe Read The Alabama Baptist Day on July 31.
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