Collegiate Christian Journalists Meet

BP journalism conf. ventures to the Web

By Tim Ellsworth

JACKSON, Tenn. (BP)--Christian journalists should excel at their work and give non-believers reason to consider the Gospel, a Baptist newspaper editor told collegiate journalists Oct. 29.

"Colossians 3:23 says, 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as unto the Lord and not to men,'" said Jennifer Rash, managing editor of The Alabama Baptist. "That's what we're called to do. If you're a believer, we're called to be different. We're called to a higher standard. We need to work at the best of our ability to stand out and shine."

Rash and Gary Fong, founder of the Genesis Photo Agency and president and co-founder of Christians in Photojournalism, were the principal speakers for the 2009 Baptist Press Collegiate Journalism Conference hosted by Union University in Jackson, Tenn.

In years past, Baptist Press has hosted the conference in Nashville, Tenn., with attendees primarily from Baptist colleges. In a different format this year, Union hosted the conference in its television studio and broadcast the speakers' presentations on the Internet.

Students from more than a dozen other colleges participated by watching the Internet broadcast and by submitting questions to speakers through Twitter. Participating institutions included Baylor University, California Baptist University, Liberty University, North Greenville University, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Campbell University, Shorter College, Corban College, Central Baptist College, Taylor University, Lipscomb University, Excelsior College, the University of North Florida and the World Journalism Institute.

Union University President David S. Dockery welcomed conference participants, both at Union and on the Internet, and expressed appreciation to Baptist Press for sponsoring such an event.

"It's a delight to have this conference hosted here," Dockery said. "We are committed here to being a partner in your work in helping to prepare the next generation of Christian journalists, broadcasters and people involved in photojournalism."

In his address, Fong discussed his career in photojournalism and encouraged students to be prayerful in all things, because "sometimes God will have things happen before you."

Fong described an experience in which he was driving across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and a collision caused traffic to stop on the bridge. While sitting in his car, he noticed another man get out of his vehicle and climb up on its roof.

"How many times do you see a person standing on their car on the middle of the Golden Gate Bridge?" Fong asked. "Well, you don't."

Fong retrieved his camera from his trunk, and the man stayed on his roof just long enough for Fong to shoot three photos. He attributed that to God.

"When I talk to God, it's like having a personal conversation with Him constantly," Fong said. "It started in 1968 and it's still going on to this day." He described many of the photos he has taken over the years as the result of watching God work in his life.

Fong also challenged students to be willing to pray for their subjects. "God is in the business of answering prayers," he said. "I think the best thing you can do in your life is have a constant conversation with God throughout your careers, whether it be in journalism or not. Let Him show you great things."

Rash talked to students about improving their writing skills and offered tips for a successful career in journalism.

"You are storytellers, so tell your story," Rash said. "But tell it well. And tell it interestingly. Tell it where people want to read it. You want to show the action. You want to move quickly, not be sluggish."

Rash discussed the importance checking facts to ensure accuracy and of writers engaging all the reader's senses.

"Help your reader see the waves as they ripple," Rash said. "Help your reader hear the screeching tires, smell the charred building, feel that prickly bush."

Rash encouraged the young journalists to remember that "you still don't know everything, and you still have a lot to learn. Be open to learning and growing and developing."

As Christians, Rash said students have an obligation to do their work excellently, and not in a shoddy way that would reflect poorly upon their Lord. She quoted Max Lucado in making her point: "A Christian in his surroundings should encourage everyone to be better, instead of being the one who stoops to be like everyone else."
--30--
Tim Ellsworth is director of news and media relations at Union University.

'A Pen is an Excellent Instrument'

From Garrison Keillor's Writer's Almanac:

Today is the birthday of the second president of the United States, John Adams, born in Braintree, Massachusetts (now part of Quincy, Massachusetts) (1735), who said, "A pen is certainly an excellent instrument to fix a man's attention and to inflame his ambition."

Indianapolis Star Writer Comments on Grace

From the blog of Terry Hutchens, of the Indianapolis Star. This is an excerpt--to read the entire entry, click here.

What do you think the IU basketball starting lineup will look like in the exhibition opener?

Indiana basketball opens the exhibition season next Wednesday night at Assembly Hall against Grace College. I know a little bit about Grace because last fall I had a job shadow from there attend an IU game with me. His name is Steve Copeland and I believe he's still a student there. So I got briefed a little bit about the Lancers at that time, and then I was surprised when the schedule came out to see that the Hoosiers would play Grace in an exhibition game this season.

Grace College is a private Christian school in Winona Lake, Indiana. They have an enrollment of about 1,200 and they play in the Mid-Central Conference in NAIA. Schools in their conference include Goshen, Taylor, St. Francis, Indiana Wesleyan, Bethel, Marian, Spring Arbor and Huntington. They've had some good teams in the past and won the NAIA national championship in 1992.

But that's the first of two exhibition games for IU. The Hoosiers play Grace on Wednesday Nov. 4 at 7 p.m., and then St. Joseph on Monday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. The regular season opener is Friday, Nov. 13 against Howard at 8 p.m. at Assembly Hall.

Internet Turns 40 Today

This is an excerpt. To read the entire article, click here.

Internet Turns 40 Today: First Message Crashed System

for National Geographic News

Everyone surfing for last-minute Halloween costumes and pictures of black Lolcats today—what you might call the 40th anniversary of the Internet—can give thanks to the simple network message that started it all: "lo."

On October 29, 1969, that message became the first ever to travel between two computers connected via the ARPANET, the computer network that would become the Internet.

The truncated transmission traveled about 400 miles (643 kilometers) between the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Stanford Research Institute.

The electronic dispatch was supposed to be the word "login," but only the first two letters were successfully sent before the system crashed.

Still, that humble greeting marked the start of a phenomenon that has become such an important part of modern life that many experts argue access to it should be a right rather than a privilege.

In fact, earlier this month Finland became the first country in the world to declare broadband Internet access a legal right for all of its 5.2 million citizens.

"I don't think it's quite on the level of food and water yet, but it's pretty close," said Jeffrey Cole, director of the Annenberg School for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California.

'Little Guys' Are The Innovators

From FOLIO:

Want to Innovate? Look to the Little Guys

Smaller publishers not crushed by debt have the freedom to change.

By Matt Kinsman

Recently, FOLIOmag.com did a story on Waukesha, Wisconsin-based enthusiast publisher Kalmbach Publishing Co. buying Cabin Life. It was a small deal, the type that pops up several times a week (or used to before M&A crashed along with everything else), yet it generated a volume of reads usually associated with stories about much larger transactions. Or lay-offs. Or Cygnus Business Media.

Why? Because Kalmbach, which publishes 15 special interest magazines with total circulation of 1 million plus, knows what they are and what they need to be, even amidst the changes of the media industry. In 2008, they generated more than $50 million in sales for the sixth year in a row (in April 2009, president Gerald "Butch" Boettcher made our FOLIO: 40 list honoring notables in the magazine industry).

As one reader commented on the story, "I'd venture a guess that's why these guys have been around 75 years and are able to make an acquisition while other publishers struggle to deal with the Internet and the economy."

At a time when many larger publishers that traditionally defined this market are stuck between a rock and a covenant, it's the smaller players who are coming through, reinventing themselves when it makes sense (such as Churm Media aggressively investing in digital and seeing triple-digit growth after enduring a 20 percent revenue plunge) or having faith in a model that works (like Kalmbach), and not just chasing the latest fad for its own sake.

At FOLIO:, we take pride in the fact that we've covered these smaller publishers all along. But after receiving two e-mail promotions from two different industry associations in the recent weeks announcing that-news flash-our "mindset has to change," I think it's time to recognize that the market leaders aren't who they used to be.

CT Adds Digital Magazine

Christianity Today International Adds Digital Magazine

CAROL STREAM, Ill., Oct. 26 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today Kyria.com announced the release of the inaugural issue of their monthly digital magazine (digizine), titled "Born Identity: Chosen in Christ. Called to Influence."

In August 2009, Christianity Today International launched Kyria.com, a web-based resource for women who want to grow deeper in their relationship with Christ and in faithfully influencing the people around them to respond to Christ. The new paid- access website combines articles, blogs, downloadable resources, and now this monthly digizine.

Each issue of the Kyria digizine will be devoted to a specific aspect of spiritual formation or a spiritual discipline. Included is an interview with a woman who has devoted herself to becoming more like Christ, as well as practical tools, Bible studies, and challenging commentary.

Editor Ginger Kolbaba says, "Women are such powerhouses in their families, churches, and communities. It's exciting to lead and encourage them into greater depths of their faith through Kyria's resources. It's especially fulfilling to see women embrace the purposes and calling God has on their lives."

The November issue of the Kyria digizine is open- access for everyone to view and share, and features the following pieces:

God's Purpose for Women
Carolyn Custis James discusses women as helpers, who God really created us to be, and the surprising role model who changed the way she views herself and all women.
By Amy Simpson and Ginger Kolbaba

Who Are You?
Too often we lose ourselves in the midst of our roles. Here's how to find the way back.
By Julie B. Caton

What Our Bodies Say About Our Identities
If we're truly to be the women of influence God has called us to be, then we must first make peace with our physical natures.
By Jonalyn Grace Fincher

The Revolution That Paul Started
What the Capernaum steps to nowhere taught me about women in ministry.
By Ginger Kolbaba

I've Got Something Wonder Woman Doesn't
By Susy Flory


The December issue will be titled "The Discipline of Rest," and will feature an interview with Ruth Haley Barton along with other pieces by Keri Wyatt Kent, Brenda Jank, Catherine Hart Weber, and Lauren Winner.

Newspaper Circulation Drops 10.6 Percent

From USA Today. This is an excerpt--to read the entire article click here.

Newspaper circulation falling fast, down 10.6%

The latest daily circulation figures for U.S. newspapers provided more bad news for the embattled industry. USA TODAY saw its worst decline ever, dropping more than 17% to 1.90 million.

NEW YORK — The decline in U.S. newspaper circulation is accelerating as the industry struggles with defections to the Internet and tumbling ad revenue.
Figures released Monday by the Audit Bureau of Circulations show that average daily circulation dropped 10.6% in the April-September period from the same six-month span in 2008. That was greater than the 7.1% decline in the October 2008-March 2009 period and the 4.6% drop in the April-September period of 2008.

Sunday circulation fell 7.5% in the latest six-month span.

As expected, The Wall Street Journal has surpassed USA TODAY as the top-selling newspaper in the United States. The Journal's average Monday-Friday circulation edged up 0.6% to 2.02 million — making it the only daily newspaper in the top 25 to see an increase.

USA TODAY saw its worst decline ever, dropping more than 17% to 1.90 million. The newspaper has blamed reductions in travel for much of the circulation shortfall, because many of its single-copy sales come in airports and hotels.