What Is The Baptist Banner?

                                                                                                                                                                        Vol. I, No. 1, February 1988

The Baptist Banner is a conservative, Southern Baptist voice in Virginia. Its intent is to honor and glorify God by encouraging global evangelism, missions, and growth in Southern Baptist churches. It is presented with the conviction that an informed Christian will be better equipped to reach Christ-honoring decisions through the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Banner's message will be positive, soul winning, and missions oriented.

The Banner is the product of volunteers working with the encouragement and assistance of interested churches. There are no paid writers; there is no professional staff. We want and need your help. First, we ask for your prayers that everything printed will honor God, that each word will be written in a loving spirit, that Virginia Baptists will step forward with the needed assistance. Second, we ask for your help by contributing ideas and articles. Third, you can help by supporting The Banner financially.

After prayer, ideas and articles are the most pressing need. An entire, four-page edition contains only 2400 words, so individual pieces could run from 100 to 600 words. Subjects could include the entire range of Southern Baptist life; but topics the editors hope to include often, perhaps in every issue, are:

(1) Mission Partners - these are some mission opportunities that you or your church can be a part of. It could be about helping a struggling church in any number of ways; it might concern international outreach.

(2) The Pastor's Study - These articles are especially for pastors. These will probably be written by pastors offering experiences, research, or helpful ideas. Hopefully, this article will be particularly helpful to the pastor of a church with limited resources and to bi-vocational pastors.

(3) For the Ladies - These items will usually be written by ladies, for ladies.

(4) SBC or BGAV Agencies - While some agencies are quite generally known, others are not. The Banner will focus on one or another so that our readers can know more about what our Cooperative Program dollars do.

(5) The Calendar - Reminders about upcoming events with suggestions about preparations will be included.

(6) The Bookshelf - Brief book reviews will be added from time to time.

(7) Special Features - A variety of topics of interest will be offered.

We will not offer subscriptions to The Banner because we are uncertain how often the paper will be published. The Banner will come to you free. Of course, there will be costs for postage, paper, and other expenses. If you feel led, your contribution of any amount will be gratefully received. Checks may be written to The Baptist Banner and mailed to Northside Baptist Church, 1325 East Rio Road, Charlottesville, Va. 22901. [Note: The mailing address has been changed. The new one is: The Baptist Banner, c/o Church Ministry Services, 4101 Cox Road, Ste. 300, Glen Allen, VA  23060.]