By Margaret Colson
Executive director, Association of State Baptist Publications
In an era of subjective news and social media frenzy where do Southern Baptists turn for a trustworthy source of information? For almost 200 years, amid significant societal and technological change, the answer has been the same … but different.
State Baptist papers have been the go-to source for trustworthy information and inspiration since Georgia’s The Christian Index was established as the first Baptist state paper in 1822. At least nine other state papers were founded in the 1800s; 21 papers in the 1900s; and three papers in the 2000s, according to the 2018 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Annual.
Shift in focus
“Originally independent of the state conventions, state papers provided a forum for Baptist voices and kept people informed about their denomination. The philosophy embraced by state paper editors was to ‘tell the truth and trust the people,’” said David Williams, editor of the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist for 22 years.
“While still interested in making sure the people are informed about the inner workings of their state and national conventions papers today generally give a lot of attention to good news about how Baptists are spreading the gospel and sharing the love of Jesus Christ,” said Williams, who also serves as the 2019–2020 president of Association of State Baptist Publications (ASBP).
Jennifer Davis Rash, editor-in-chief of The Alabama Baptist (TAB) since January 2019, explained some shifts in state papers she has observed in her nearly 25 years with TAB.
“State Baptist newspapers today have a variety of different approaches. Some follow a more corporate communications or public relations style for state convention life while others maintain a hard news, watchdog approach for Baptists in general. Many fall somewhere in between, maintaining proper separation when reporting news stories but also helping promote the opportunities available to Baptists locally, statewide, nationally and around the world,” said Rash, president-elect of ASBP.
The earliest state paper editors in the 1800s and even a large part of the 1900s could not begin to conceive of today’s technology-driven world or the skyrocketing costs of printing and mailing state papers.
Those two realities have led to creative solutions by state papers. At the end of 2015, The Christian Index, which had provided a print publication to its readers for more than 190 years, turned off the printing press and turned on the computer to become a digital-only publication. The Index “had been moving slowly toward [all-digital] for several years,” said Scott Barkley, editor of The Christian Index since June 2018. Barkley, who served as Index associate managing editor when the all-digital approach was launched, acknowledged he “wasn’t involved in the discussions … to go all-digital,” but believes the decision was based on “how best to use Cooperative Program funds for sharing the news of Georgia Baptists,” as well as the “pace of news,” which meant the biweekly paper’s “top stories were old by the time they reached our reader’s mailboxes.” Today the Index distributes a twice-weekly digital newsletter, publishes continually on its website and actively posts social media updates.
Challenges and opportunities
The “speed at which we can cover Georgia Baptists and the SBC” as well as the ability to reach “segments of our readership” through various platforms are two distinct benefits of the all-digital approach, Barkley said. However, Barkley said he “wouldn’t close the door on the Index at some point in the future reestablishing a print presence.”
Tennessee’s Baptist and Reflector, founded in 1835, has shifted its focus in the past 20 years away from “Southern Baptist news” which “is available instantaneously via computer” to “Tennessee Baptist news,” said Lonnie Wilkey, editor of the Baptist and Reflector since 1998 after serving for 10 years as its associate editor. “We have had to change as technology has changed,” he said.
In addition to Tennessee Baptist news the Baptist and Reflector has published “in-depth stories and columns on issues such as pastoral burnout, depression, domestic violence, abortion, sexual abuse prevention, church security and more. These are all real-life problems that our churches face on a daily basis,” Wilkey said.
“We’re not unlike most other state papers. Print circulation has declined and probably will continue to do so. Increasing printing and postage costs are making it even more difficult,” Wilkey said.
Baptist and Reflector leaders have “made a concerted effort to enhance our web presence,” he said, adding, “We began an e-newsletter that is sent weekly to nearly 18,000 key Tennessee Baptist leaders.”
‘Not convinced’
Even with these digital enhancements, Wilkey said, “While some people think print will die out completely, I am not convinced.”
Many state Baptist paper editors find themselves “juggling and guessing on how to balance the release of news and information on social media with when to release it in print pieces,” said Shawn Hendricks, editor of Baptist Press.
Hendricks, who served on the staff of North Carolina’s Biblical Recorder from 2011 to 2013, said, “State papers now, more than ever, have to deliver more in-depth, interesting content and details that readers can’t find everywhere else. The articles have to be more compelling and newsy than ever.”
State papers are “more needed than ever. Without them social media banter and debate will become the news providers. More and more facts and solid reporting will be replaced with rumor and speculation. That would be bad news for all of us,” Hendricks said.
To remain relevant today and into the future state papers must “find their niche and meet the needs of that niche,” Wilkey explained.
Today, even as in years past, state Baptist papers are as unique as their readers; yet they share a common vital goal.
Whether a state paper distributes content in print or strictly online and whether the approach focuses on news or features, “state Baptist newspapers share a common goal of being a trustworthy source for Southern Baptists,” said Rash.
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Association of State Baptist Publications ‘the tie that binds’
Established in 1895 as the Southern Baptist Press Association, today’s Association of State Baptist Publications (ASBP) is the “tie that binds,” said Lonnie Wilkey, editor, Tennessee Baptist and Reflector.
“Not many people understand the unique problems and challenges that Baptist papers face. The ASBP provides a forum for editors and staff of papers to bond, share ideas and, hopefully, develop methods and strategies to help our papers not only survive, but thrive in the future. More importantly the camaraderie and fellowship renew my spirit and desire to continue telling the stories of our churches and Baptists in Tennessee,” Wilkey said.
David Williams, editor of the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist and 2019–2020 ASBP president, values the ASBP also.
“The greatest benefit … comes through the relationships we build with one another that go far beyond our meetings. It is wonderful to be able to consider as friends all the editors and staff of Baptist state papers across the nation. When I have a problem or need, I know that I can get help from any number of these colleagues.”
In her role as editor-in-chief of The Alabama Baptist and ASBP president-elect, Jennifer Davis Rash said, “Our network of state Baptist newspaper leaders has the opportunity to learn and grow together through the ASBP, which is continually adapting to best meet the needs of all participants through professional development and peer support.
The ASBP provides a place for us to work together as we explore the latest opportunities to communicate with and connect Baptists.” (TAB)
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