Individual Christians and churches across Alabama are always looking for resources that will help them or their members grow as Christian disciples. Often overlooked is a resource that has proven its value through generations of use, a resource that is right at hand — The Alabama Baptist (TAB).
Just because this resource has been around a while does not mean it is out of touch. This tool for Christian growth seems to have the uncanny ability to reinvent itself occasionally in order to stay up-to-date. A few days ago a 30-something mother of two told about examining this resource for the first time. She had been familiar with its name but never really looked at it.
With some surprise she shared about finding interesting and helpful items for her and her family. She read things that would be helpful to others like her. This resource wasn’t just for her parents as she expected it to be. It could help her grow in the Lord as well.
For generations people have turned to this resource to learn what Baptists believe. Those wanting to know how Baptists do church and how Baptists work together have found guidance from its pages. Christians wanting to know what God is doing in other churches and in other nations have turned to its pages for answers.
Honest examination
When perplexing moral and ethical issues have arisen generations of Alabama Baptists have looked to this resource for understanding, knowing the issues will always be honestly examined through the lens of Bible teachings.
Also available to those who avail themselves of this resource are insights into real life issues from helping people with post-traumatic stress disorder to domestic abuse to sexual integrity and more.
Families find guidance on such challenges as parenting, living with teens, handling criticism constructively and grandparents relating to grandchildren.
When looking for information about better serving through the church this resource is a must. In the last two months help has been available regarding ways to grow a God-loving child, preparing ministry teams for service, handling money and financial records, using technology in church, growing in giving, supporting caregivers and more. This resource is a literal gold mine of ideas and suggestions for Christian service.
People who already use this resource anticipate it will examine the latest trends and their potential impact on the Christian faith. Readers know information will always be evaluated from a Christian worldview.
For generations Baptists have turned to this resource for information that provides understanding and perspective, inspiration for Christian discipleship and connections for missions and ministries. The resource has been and remains a welcomed guest in tens of thousands of homes every week across Alabama.
Originally this resource was only available in print like most resources of that day. But today you can access the resource anywhere at any time. And yes it is still available in print. In fact it is one of the largest circulated resources of its type in the state. But the digital edition makes the publication accessible anywhere, anytime.
The digital edition has extra resources that cannot be included in the print edition such as videos, audio clips, slideshows of photos and links to additional material on various topics.
Along with the consistent efforts to keep the print and digital editions of the paper relevant, the ministry also is working to reinvent itself with its latest efforts related to the website — www.thealabamabaptist.org. Now the website and all its articles, essays, Bible studies, interviews, teaching material, news stories and more are available on a smart phone or iPad. The site was upgraded to be mobile-responsive in January and since that time the amount of traffic on the site has tripled.
Online archives
Another available resource offered on the website is access to all the information published since 2000 through the archives of this important resource. Talk about a treasure for Christian growth.
Concerned about the quality of the resource? Don’t be. When the Southern Baptist professional organization called Baptist Communicators Association evaluated TAB earlier this year, this Alabama product was judged best in class.
When the resource was judged against other Christian publications in Associated Church Press’ national competition it again walked away with top honors.
So did several of the writers and other staff members. This resource strives to honor the Lord with what is offered Alabama Baptists.
What about the cost? Don’t worry — you can afford it. An individual subscription is less than 50 cents a week for the print edition — $22.25 including taxes — for 50 issues. The digital edition is less than that — $14.95. That is a meager investment for such a valuable resource to help one grow as a Christian disciple.
When a church provides the resource for its active families the cost is less than that through the group plan. Through the group plan the cost per subscription is only $13.75 or less than 28 cents a week. The digital edition is only $8.50.
And full access to the website is granted as a complimentary add-on for all print and/or digital subscribers.
What church can’t afford to invest 28 cents a week for a valuable, proven resource to stimulate member families to grow in Christian discipleship? Perhaps one should ask what church can afford not to invest in its families by providing this valuable tool.
For almost 175 years this publication has been inspiring, informing and connecting Alabama Baptists. For almost 175 years it has been a catalyst to help Baptists grow as Christian disciples, helping equip them to live for Christ and train them for work in God’s kingdom. For almost 175 years this publication has promoted all that Baptists do together in our state, nation and around the world.
So valuable to Alabama Baptists is the state Baptist paper that Cooperative Program gifts help underwrite part of the cost of the ministry so it will always be affordable to churches and individuals.
As a reader you know the value of TAB. Share your copy with a friend. Encourage them to subscribe. And talk to your church about making sure that all the active families receive this resource for Christian discipleship.
And pray for TAB and its ministry. Pray for us on Sunday, July 30, as Baptists observe Read The Alabama Baptist Day on the denominational calendar. Pray this resource for Christian living will touch the lives of more and more Alabama Baptists.
Share with others: