The Baptist Message Board of Trustees at its December meeting welcomed three new incoming trustees, recognized three outgoing trustees, elected a new vice chairman, and approved the budget for 2008.
ALEXANDRIA – The Baptist Message Board of Trustees at its December meeting welcomed three new incoming trustees, recognized three outgoing trustees, elected a new vice chairman, and approved the budget for 2008.
Chairman Robert Daniel formally introduced new trustees – Stephen “Lane” Corley of Hope Church Covington, David Theriot of Springfield and Thomy Green of First Baptist Harrisonburg – to the board. A term is for three years.
Jackie Tucker, Naida Sexton and Wayne Bono, the three outgoing trustees were presented plaques of appreciation by Message Editor Kelly Boggs for “faithful service to this board and paper.”
“We saw a 10 percent increase in subscriptions, advertising revenue, and church page income,” Boggs said. “It was the second year in a row we have noticed these increases. This year I am only projecting a five-percent increase, but I believe it could be as it was the last two years and come in at 10 percent.”
In his annual report to the board, Boggs said the paper had been able to “navigate the larger-than-expected postage increase.
“We knew it was coming last May, but the size of the increase in July caught us and a lot of small papers like us by surprise,” the editor said. “We were able to overcome it by reducing the number of pages. I don’t know how smaller papers will be able to overcome it. We have and we will. All I can say is thank the Lord for the Cooperative Program.”
Managing Editor Karen Willoughby in her report to the board talked about how the state paper strengthens the ministry of each church, by the exchange of ideas that can be adapted by other churches, by the encouragement given to the church being written about and by coverage of Louisiana Baptist Convention ministry, which exists to serve the churches, Willoughby said.
The managing editor also talked about plans for expanding coverage in 2008.
The board got an update from LBC Executive Director David Hankins about the planned relocation of the Message to the third floor of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Building.
“I think you should be relocated by this time next year.” Hankins said.