The Alabama Baptist
The Alabama Baptist is a weekly newspaper whose mission is to empower readers to live out Christian discipleship in their personal, professional and church lives. The aim of The Alabama Baptist is to equip readers with resources and information, and to do that with competence, compassion, fairness and dependability as a news source.[1]
| Type | Weekly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Owner(s) | The Alabama Baptist, Inc. |
| Founder(s) | Milo P. Jewett, Gen. Edwin D. King, James H. DeVotie, and Julia T. Barron |
| Publisher | The Alabama Baptist |
| Editor | Jennifer Rash |
| Founded | Feb. 4, 1843 |
| Language | English |
| Headquarters | 3310 Independence Drive, Birmingham, Alabama |
| City | Birmingham, Alabama |
| Country | United States |
| Circulation | 55,000 subscribers |
| Readership | 200,000 |
| OCLC number | 948518807 |
| Website | www |
| |
The Alabama Baptist is the largest state Baptist paper in circulation.
The Alabama Baptist is an entity of the Alabama Baptist State Convention owned by The Alabama Baptist, Inc., under leadership of a board of directors approved by messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
History
On February 4, 1843, the first issue of The Alabama Baptist was printed in Marion, Alabama. The Association of Brethren appeared on the masthead as the owners and editors. The association was composed of Milo Parker Jewett, James H. DeVotie, Gen. Edwin Davis “E.D.” King and Julia Tarrant Barron.[2] All were active members of Siloam Baptist Church in Marion and were financially able to secure the paper's future.
A few historians over the years have suggested that a paper called The Family Visitor was a precursor to The Alabama Baptist newspaper, but no written accounts have survived to support this claim. Alabama Baptist State Convention annuals from 1833 through 1863 make no reference to The Family Visitor being a denominational publication.[2]
It seems the first embers of a lasting Baptist paper were sparked on February 4, 1843, when The Alabama Baptist, a privately owned newspaper, printed its first issue. History seems to show it was started afresh by Baptists as an original entity, not a retooled version of an existing paper. That fall, convention messengers adopted a resolution calling The Alabama Baptist the organ through which convention officers would communicate with the churches, and Baptists finally had a voice. The resolution “urgently” recommended the paper be placed in every Baptist home in the state, and it “warmly” commended the “energy and liberality” of those who started the paper. But the 1843 report of the Committee on Periodicals of the State Convention made it clear that the convention had no liabilities for what the independent paper published.[2]
Editors[2]
Samuel Henderson
Hardin E. Taliaferro
John Jefferson Deyampert Renfroe
Edwin Theodore Winkler
John L. West
John Gideon Harris
Frank Willis Barnett
Frank Willis Barnett (Oct. 23, 1865—June 29, 1941) purchased The Alabama Baptist of Montgomery in 1901 from owner and editor John G. Harris for $7,500. He then bought The Baptist Evangel of Birmingham and The Baptist Herald of Florida. In January 1902, the first issue of The Southern and Alabama Baptist appeared.
Leslie Lee Gwaltney
Leslie Lee Gwaltney (March 5, 1876—Nov. 11, 1955) was introduced as editor in the March 20, 1919, issue of The Alabama Baptist. Previously he served as associate editor of the paper from 1914-1916. The paper's office was in Montgomery at that time. Six months after becoming editor, Gwaltney moved the paper to Birmingham. He served as editor until his retirement on July 1, 1950.
Leon Meertief Macon
Leon Meertief Macon (Oct. 25, 1908—Nov. 15, 1965) became editor of The Alabama Baptist July 1, 1950. As editor, he felt it was his responsibility to carry the torch for moral behavior and stand against unethical practices and people. Baptist beliefs were always in the forefront of his message, especially those of separation of church and state, priesthood of the believer, autonomy of the local church and caution against too much government in the denomination and in the nation. During his time as editor, circulation more than doubled from about 46,000 in 1950 to more than 106,000 in 1960. Macon said, “The Alabama Baptist is the newspaper for the Baptists in Alabama and we feel it must ever be free to inform the people, to deal with the problems of the times, and to seek to get people to think for themselves. It is a means of communication by which the church members can know the truth about the society in which they live and the church to which they belong.”
Hudson Doyle Baggett
Hudson Doyle Baggett (July 23, 1923—Nov. 17, 1994) was installed as editor of The Alabama Baptist on May 13, 1966. He was introduced as someone who had been a preacher's friend and was a preacher “of no mean ability” himself. Baggett responded, “I pledge dedication to the task of seeking, interpreting and presenting the truth in the light of study and research. I covet your prayers.” In 1973, he published a special Sesquicentennial celebratory issue of the paper for the Alabama Baptist State Convention's 150th anniversary. In May 1975, he wrote about plans for the paper's new home, and in June 1976, the office of The Alabama Baptist in Homewood was dedicated, debt free. Baggett continually promoted all state and convention missions efforts and Woman's Missionary Union, using as his motto, Make light, not heat. On Nov. 16, 2994, Baggett presented the annual report of The Alabama Baptist at the state convention. In typical Baggett style, he included a mini sermon. The next day Baggett had a massive heart attack and died in Point Clear, Alabama, where he and June had gone for a quick getaway following the convention. Sorely missed by Alabama leaders and church members, “Mr. Alabama Baptist” would be remembered for his motto: Make light, not heat. He was serving as editor at the time of his death.
Bobby S. “Bob” Terry
Bobby S. “Bob” Terry became editor of The Alabama on Aug. 1, 1995. His immediate focus was on quality journalism and statewide coverage. The Alabama Baptist has been named best regional Christian newspaper in America 11 times since Terry became editor. More than 200 individual awards have been received by the paper and various staff members during his 23 years as editor. To ensure statewide coverage, the paper set a goal of covering every association in the state at least twice each year, a goal it has consistently met. Terry will retire as editor on Dec. 31, 2018.
Jennifer Davis Rash
Jennifer Davis Rash was announced as editor-elect of The Alabama Baptist during the Oct. 7-8 board of directors meeting in Birmingham. Rash is set to become editor on Jan. 1, 2019. She will become the first woman to head a major state Baptist paper.
Today
The Alabama Baptist publishes 50 issues annually and maintains an active online presence at www.TheAlabamaBaptist.org and on social media. The weekly paper is mailed to more than 55,000 homes, with a total readership of about 200,000. More than 3,000 subscribers receive the PDF edition each week.[1] The newspaper attempts to provide concise and balanced reporting of events related to religion, and gives editorial advice on moral and ethical issues from a biblical standpoint.[3]
Affiliations
Baptist Communicators Association
Alabama Press Association
Evangelical Press Association
Religion Communicators Council
Associated Church Press
Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability
Awards
The Alabama Baptist is an award-winning publication having been honored by Associated Church Press, Evangelical Press Association and Religion Communicators Council as the top regional Christian newspaper in America. The paper also has won awards in writing, photography, design and general excellence from these three groups as well as Baptist Communicators Association. The commitment to the Christian faith and the outstanding professional preparation of the paper's staff is reflected by more than 200 national awards that hang in the Halls of Honor at the state Baptist paper's office building.[4]
2018 Better Newspaper Contest - Alabama Press Association[5]
| Year | Award | Place | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Best Feature Story Coverage | 1st | Ed Enoch |
| 2018 | Best Niche Publication - Newsprint or Glossy | 1st | The Alabama Baptist |
See also
References
- "Our Story - The Alabama Baptist". The Alabama Baptist. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
- Elizabeth Wells and Grace Thornton (2018). The Alabama Baptist: 175 Years of Informing, Inspiring and Connecting Baptists (Hardcover). Birmingham, AL: The Alabama Baptist. pp. 141–150. ISBN 978-0-99955-240-7.
- Debra Wagner (2006). Good News: The Best Religion Writing in North America. Church Publishing, Inc. p. 152. ISBN 1-59627-028-4.
- "Awards and Recognitions - The Alabama Baptist". The Alabama Baptist. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
- Langan, Jaclyn. "APA Better Newspaper Contest Award Winners Announced" (PDF). Alabama Press Association. Retrieved 13 July 2018.