Making history while looking ahead

You’re holding history.

This is the last printed edition of the Baptist Standard. Beginning next month, we’re converting the entire newspaper to a state-of-the-art digital edition. We’ll still publish the content you’ve been reading on these pages—Baptist and religion news; trends affecting faith and life; articles about missions and ministries; stories about faithful people; and letters and opinion.

The latest technology will make it easy to read on computer screens, tablets and even cell phones. And we’ll still produce the Standard every-other week. It just won’t be printed on paper.

But that does not mean we’re abandoning the printed page. We’re also launching a new inspirational publication, CommonCall: The Baptist Standard Magazine. We’ve planned CommonCall in direct response to extensive conversations with Texas Baptists, supplemented by surveys of pastors.

When we asked pastors what kind of articles they want their members to read, they weren’t shy. They said Texas Baptists need material to equip them for service to Christ in their churches and in their day-to-day lives. We’ll follow that guidance as we select content month by month.

So, the magazine will highlight human-interest stories about changed lives, Christians who put faith in action, missions, evangelism and family life. It also will present thought-provoking leadership articles and how-to/empowering stories about effective church ministries.

The magazine’s name represents the solidarity and shared purpose that bind Texas Baptists in heart and spirit. CommonCall reflects our desire for the magazine to unify churches and our convention. It also champions our shared commitment to help every Christian fulfill his or her calling.

Instead of cutting back, we’re moving forward. We’ll produce a spirited, fast-paced digital news publication, the Baptist Standard. And we’ll respond to the expressed desires of Texas Baptists to receive an uplifting, inspirational magazine, CommonCall. If you subscribe to the Standard now, you’ll automatically receive CommonCall early next month.

Individuals and churches who subscribe to CommonCall will receive two free bonus subscriptions of the Baptist Standard. We want to give every Texas Baptist and every Texas Baptist church an easy, economical opportunity to tap into the Baptist Standard legacy and gather together around CommonCall.

The transition of the Baptist Standard to digital-only and the launch of CommonCall represent significant change. Of course, some Baptists aren’t huge fans of change. Since news of this change began circulating, I’ve heard from folks who have read the Standard on newsprint for decades, and they don’t like what we’re doing. Believe me, I understand. For starters, I’ve been reading the Standard about 50 years myself. It’s been a constant in my life. And those of us who publish the Standard feel called to this ministry; we live and breathe it. And nobody—nobody—has agonized over the changes in the denomination and declines in the print-news industry more than those of us who work here.

But to paraphrase Charles Dickens, these are the worst of times and the best of times to be a journalist.

The “worst” part is obvious. Across the nation, daily newspapers are dying. Even once-strong Newsweek magazine is going digital-only next month. For readers and reporters alike, it’s tough to watch your way of life morph before your eyes.

Still, the “best” part is breathtaking. From video, to web links, to hypergraphics, the Internet provides us with the best story-telling tools in the history of the world. It’s never been a better time to be a reporter. Especially a reporter called to tell The Greatest Story Ever Told.

We hope—and fervently pray—you love the redesigned digital Baptist Standard and the brand-new CommonCall. If you’re skeptical, give us three months before you make up your mind. And if you’re a fan, please convince your church to provide it for everybody.

Marv Knox is editor of the Baptist Standard and CommonCall. Visit his blog at www.baptiststandard.com.