Louisiana Baptist Message trustees last week voted against a proposal that would have moved the newspaper back under state Executive Board structure and authority.
Louisiana Baptist Message trustees last week voted
against a proposal that would have moved the newspaper back under state
Executive Board structure and authority.
Newspaper trustees spent about 90 minutes in
discussion before voting 8-4 against the proposal. Louisiana Baptist
Convention Executive Director David Hankins had proposed the move for
the paper in a called meeting of the trustees in early April.
Hankins suggested the newspaper return to the
Executive Board fold as part of a larger communications division in the
works. He has stressed the need for a coordinated effort to tell the
Baptist story more effectively and efficiently. He said he envisions
the use of various media – including a newspaper in some form.
Hankins emphasized last week that a window of
opportunity for making the transition existed because of the scheduled
retirement of Baptist Message Editor Lynn P. Clayton at the end of the
year.
He also reiterated his view that print media is
facing declining subscriptions and considerable challenges in a
technological age and that it is time to think anew about how to
communicate the Baptist story. “I think it (moving the paper) would
work well in Louisiana,” he said. “I think it would represent a giant
step forward.”
However, in discussion, trustees questioned the wisdom of making such a move for various reasons.
One asked about how news coverage would be handled
and whether it would be lessened. Hankins said it would be handled by
an editor as it is now and suggested there would be more – not less –
news coverage under the coordinated approach.
However, the bulk of trustee concerns related to how
such a move would be perceived. They voiced concern that many would see
the move as a “power grab” and attempt to control. They also noted that
recent events in state convention life have fostered a perception by
some that the state convention cannot be trusted.
Finally, they suggested that the challenges
confronting the newspaper and convention could be addressed by an
incoming editor and by the convention and Baptist Message working more
closely together.
“Louisiana Baptists do not need another polarizing,
divisive issue,” Clayton said in a prepared response to the proposal
that he read to trustees at the meeting.
Hankins acknowledged perceptions exist that must be
addressed. For instance, he noted that some have suggested he was
threatening to defund the Baptist Message unless it went along with the
proposal.
He emphasized that he never made such a suggestion.
Instead, he responded to a question regarding that issue by saying that
he did not know if he could support funding the newspaper at its
current level and that he would have to do the best he could.
He said people who have talked to him have been
positive about the proposed move. “I don’t know what the actual
perception is out there, …” he said. “All I’m doing is making the
appeal, and we’ll work on the perceptions. … Let’s make the best
decision, and then, we can talk about public relations.”
However, several trustees expressed misgivings.
“I don’t have a peace about taking this forward to
the convention, …” said Jim Ingram, pastor at First Baptist Church of
Bastrop. “I want to be convinced that this is what Jesus wants us to
do. … And I feel if we bring this, there’s going to be more division.”
Robert Daniel agreed, noting the merits of the
proposal were not being discussed because of the emotions around it.
Besides, the idea always could be revisited, said Daniel, pastor at
Bethel Baptist Church in Colfax.
Trustees discussed forgoing a vote on the idea, but
Baptist Message trustee Chair Larry Thompson noted that it needed to be
decided so the editor search committee would know where it stood and
whether to continue with finding a new editor or not.
If trustees did not vote, it would be necessary to
call a special meeting later to do so, said Thompson, pastor at
Westlake First Baptist Church in Westlake.
A motion then was made to vote on the proposal.
LBC President Philip Robertson addressed the issue,
saying it is time to move forward – and the only way to do so is to
embrace Hankins’ proposal.
A trustee also asked Hankins what would happen if
the board rejected the plan. The state leader said he was committed to
being a cooperative Louisiana Baptist and would not campaign on the
issue. He expressed a desire to work together regardless of the
decision by the board. “I’m not going to take my ball and go home if I
don’t get my way,” he said.
Trustees then voted two-to-one by secret ballot to
reject the proposal. Voting members included 10 trustees present,
Hankins and Robertson.
Meanwhile, in other action during their meeting,
trustees also elected officers for the subsequent year. All were chosen
by acclamation.
Larry Thompson was re-elected chair. Naida Sexton
was re-elected vice chair. She is a member at Trinity Heights Baptist
Church in Shreveport. Ingram was elected secretary-treasurer of the
board.