July 14, 1999
GRACE & PEACE: The Baptist
Standard inspires as well as it informs
___"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ" (Ephesians 4:15).
___For over a century, the Baptist Standard has been "speaking the truth in love," informing and inspiring Baptists. The largest Baptist newspaper in the world, the Standard fills a major role in the largest Baptist body of its kind in the world, the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
___The Baptist Standard has a relationship different from that of a number of state Baptist papers with the Baptist convention in its state. In these states, the Baptist paper is under direction of the Executive Board of the state convention and the paper's staff often is part of the staff of the Executive Board. This is not the case in Texas. The Standard has its own board of directors elected by messengers to the annual session of the BGCT, who also elect the members of the Executive Board of the BGCT. The board of directors of the Standard elects the editor and sets the policies of the Standard. Neither the Executive Board nor any other entity apart from the BGCT itself, with its election of the directors, has control over the Standard.
William M. Pinson Jr.
Executive Director
Baptist General Convention of Texas
___This means the Standard enjoys freedom of the press, a freedom Baptists applaud. In fact, most all Americans believe freedom of the press helps to guarantee other freedoms, such as religious freedom and political freedom.
___Although free from control by the Executive Board, the Standard maintains a close cooperative relationship with the Executive Board and its staff as well as with other BGCT entities. The Standard views itself as a cooperative, positive member of the Texas Baptist family.
___The Standard fulfills a number of important functions. For example, it both inspires and informs, evangelizes and disciples. Accounts of Baptist people, churches, associations, schools, medical centers, child and aging care institutions, other BGCT entities, Woman's Missionary Union of Texas, Texas Baptist Men, and programs and ministries of the Executive Board staff as well as national and international Baptist bodies provide inspiration and information.
___Because the Standard is committed to news, sometimes the news is controversial or even bad, but that is part of what reporting news is about. Evangelism comes through providing the plan of salvation and discipleship thorough numerous articles.
___In times past the Standard delivered its message exclusively in print, in English and statewide. That is no longer true, as the Standard includes other languages, is delivered in other ways and provides regional editions. In the future even more innovations are planned.
___The Standard's "church page" newsletter program is an efficient, cost-effective method of providing inspiration and information about both the church and the larger Texas Baptist family of which it is part.
___Many churches believe strongly enough in an informed membership that they provide the Standard through the church budget for every member. For those who do not belong to such a church, the Standard is available at an individual subscription rate, which is a bargain.
___Please pray for Marv Knox, editor of the Baptist Standard. And pray for the board of the Standard as they set policy and look to the future to help make the Standard even more effective. Pray also for the staff of the Standard.
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