By Baptist Message staff
ALEXANDRIA, LA (LBM) — Starting in January 2021, the Baptist Message will change its annual production run from 24 editions to 14 editions. The new printing schedule is basically a monthly plan, except two editions will be printed in October and January to meet the needs of covering Louisiana Baptist cooperative missions and ministries as well as key organizational events, including the fall annual meeting as well as winter evangelistic meetings.
Importantly, the yearly subscription rates will remain the same: $14 for an individual subscription and $9.25 for a church group discount.
Will Hall, executive editor of the Baptist Message, explained that the $14 individual subscription rate went into effect January 1, 2003, and since then has lost about 31 percent of its buying power.
“We need to do something to make up the shortfall that has taken place during that long haul,” he said. “However, the economy in the state and the financial pressure it is placing on our households and our churches, means instead of raising rates for subscribers, we will cut costs, moving from 24 to 14 printed editions each year. Taking this step will reduce our costs an estimated 35- 40 percent, which essentially makes up for the loss of buying power incurred during the 17 years the subscription rate has remained the same.”
The Baptist Message will use its website, BaptistMessage.com, to focus on breaking news and use the print edition to publish news and information of more enduring value as well as strong human interest stories.
