As Baptists across the state wrap up a time of commemorating and celebrating 200 years of partnering as a state convention (1823–2023), the staff and board of directors of The Alabama Baptist, Inc., are turning their attention to the future. They are seeking ways to not only continue the 180-year legacy of the state Baptist newspaper, but also position it to enhance its unique and strategic role in working for the Lord.
Current efforts to refine the most successful aspects of The Alabama Baptist — now known as TAB Media Group — led the board of directors to approve a new print schedule beginning January 2024 while maintaining the current subscription prices for the coming year. The unanimous decision was finalized Nov. 6.
The first edition of The Alabama Baptist — dated Feb. 4, 1843 — shared news about what God was doing through His people, and that foundational element remains the central focus of content published today, according to staff reports.
The Alabama Baptist is the only remaining weekly printed state Baptist newspaper in the nation and has expanded to form a full media group offering a second printed newspaper, an annual magazine and a wide range of digital offerings.
In fact, the total number of times content across the 13 digital platforms was viewed during this year’s third quarter tipped over 1 million.
The new format will allow The Alabama Baptist to continue its print products while also increasing its digital footprint. The number of articles published at tabonline.org is nearing the 50,000-mark, and more than 3,600 readers receive the digital PDF version of the paper.
Largest-circulated paper
As far as the print edition of The Alabama Baptist goes, the roughly 37,000 homes receiving a printed paper each week means the state Baptist paper is the largest-circulated newspaper of any kind in Alabama.
While more and more newspapers are shifting to online-only because of the excessive increases in printing and postage, The Alabama Baptist is committed to continuing as both a print and digital product.
“We feel the schedule change will allow us to more effectively use the print edition and increase our online presence,” said Jennifer Davis Rash, president and editor-in-chief of The Alabama Baptist, Inc. “Whether it is through the print edition or the digital version, we want Baptists to be informed as to what God is doing among us.”
Gary Fenton, board chair for TAB Media Group, said the board appreciates the staff’s attention to detail and continuous efforts to streamline systems while staying focused on their ministry assignment.
“We are confident in Jennifer and the staff and their heart behind their service to our Lord and Alabama Baptists,” Fenton said. “The Alabama Baptist is poised for a strong future as it continues serving within the state convention family alongside its sister entities, the State Board of Missions, associations and churches, as well as individual Baptists across the state.”
Developing opportunities
Rash shared how those serving with TAB Media Group during the past 25-plus years have watched numerous changes take place related to covering and producing news stories, sharing inspirational features, providing helpful resources and adapting to a growing number of options for disseminating content.
“The past 10 years especially have challenged all media outlets in form and style,” she said. “Attempting to communicate with and serve more than five generations is hard, even on a good day, but with growing distrust among people in general and consistent confusion caused by agenda-driven online content, it’s becoming almost impossible.
“Still, we have an incredible base of subscribers and ministry partners in Alabama Baptist life and those relationships boost us above the fray,” Rash noted.
“Thank you, Alabama Baptists, for ensuring your state Baptist media staff can continue in the calling of ‘truth with compassion’ by delivering calm, fact-based reporting alongside reports of where God is working and how we can join Him — and that we can continue providing the coverage in print.”
As part of the new printing schedule, The Alabama Baptist newspaper will begin alternating weeks with the TAB Media Group-produced Baptist Paper, which provides a broad array of content from across the nation and world as well as a variety of associational leadership and church life resources.
While the subscription prices for both publications remain the same, readers interested in receiving The Baptist Paper in their mailboxes do need to alert The Alabama Baptist staff to take advantage of the special $10 per sub add-on bundle price. To request a free trial of The Baptist Paper, click here.
Readers’ favorite sections
“The change takes place with the first edition in January and each publication will continue to provide Sunday School lesson commentaries, puzzles, the Your Voice spread and news about Christians undergoing persecution, along with state-specific news items and the various other sections you expect in each edition,” Rash explained.
She added that readers now have the option to decide if they prefer receiving only The Alabama Baptist every other week (no action needed for this option) or adding The Baptist Paper to continue with the weekly flow of newspaper delivery (call 1-800-803-5201 or email subscribe@thebaptistpaper.org).
Sunday School lessons
“Along with ensuring that Sunday School teachers and class members continue receiving the extremely popular Sunday School lesson commentaries, each edition of both papers will provide two weeks’ worth of commentaries, which also fulfills a request by readers through the years to receive the lessons a week in advance,” she added.
“We also are planning to debut some new sections soon. They come from conversations with our readers throughout this past year.
“The readers have been a tremendous help as we look to polish the work we do each day to keep Alabama Baptists informed, inspired and connected.”
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