Lonnie Wilkey
Other than the great news of Jesus Christ, have you ever been told something so wonderful that you would want to tell everyone you know and shout it?
Well, I finally can. I have known for the past two weeks that Chris Turner, the TBMB’s director of communications, will succeed me as editor of the Baptist and Reflector. No one is happier than me, and for several reasons.
First, it means the B&R will continue in print form after I retire and for the foreseeable future. Some may think that was inevitable. Not so. There are fewer than a handful of Baptist state papers still printing at least every other week.
Fortunately, Tennessee Baptists are blessed to have an executive director in Randy C. Davis who believes in the value of a print publication.
I was humbled to be honored during Summit last week. Dr. Davis said some kind words about me, but what he mentioned about the paper’s future was most important. He noted that, “The B&R is not just one of the longest running papers in print in the country, it is a sacred trust.”
R.C.B. Howell, who founded and edited The Baptist for 12 years, wrote in October of 1845, “The religious press is a noble engine for the dissemination of truth and the establishment of proper morals. … The living voice may arouse generous emotions, may produce high and holy determination, but it soon passes away. … Not so, however, with the printed page. It lives and talks to present and future generations.”
The editors who followed Howell, including myself, had a similar love and desire for the ministry of the paper. I know Chris has that same passion and calling.
In a column Chris wrote two weeks ago, he described me as “a newspaper man with every fiber of his being, to the very stem cells that produce blood cells that produce bone marrow. Surviving in the newspaper business requires it. You must love the hunt for the story, the pressure of deadlines, the pain of editing, the smell of fresh ink, and ultimately, the joy of holding all that effort in your hands.”
Those same words describe Chris. He has loved and been involved with newspapers since he was a kid delivering the Memphis Commercial Appeal. He later served as sports editor of The Millington Star. He has had news articles published in numerous newspapers and magazines and has won numerous awards for his writing. He, too, is a “newspaper man” in every sense.
Some may wonder if Chris can handle both positions, communications director and B&R editor. I have no doubt that he can, and he will. When you need something done, you choose someone who is busy. That’s right, busy. Busy people surround themselves with good, trustworthy people who get things done
The B&R was moved to be a part of the communications team nearly 11 years ago when Chris started in his role. I confess I was not thrilled when this move was announced because the B&R had always reported to the convention’s executive director, but it did not take long for me to realize that was one of the best moves that had ever happened to the paper and me.
Chris was the “boss,” and he could have assumed the editorship back then by simply telling me everything he wanted done, but he didn’t. He made it clear to others that I was the editor. We talk often about the paper and its direction, but he’s allowed me to be the editor in every sense. I have the utmost respect and admiration for him. He’s been more than my boss. He’s been my friend.
I’m also encouraged about the paper’s future because of the promotion of David Dawson to managing editor. David came to the communications team more than seven years as communications specialist, but his responsibilities have grown from communications-related tasks to writing articles for the paper, and eventually designing the paper when our graphic designer left.
David Dawson has been my “right hand” ever since. He will soon be Chris’ right hand. And they have incredible support from Mary Nimmo and Linda Brooks. All four of them view their roles and the paper as a ministry to Tennessee Baptists.
The Baptist and Reflector has a bright future under their capable leadership, but they can’t do it alone. For the paper to continue as a print publication in addition to its online presence (which Chris played a major role in developing), they will need you, Tennessee Baptists, your prayers, encouragement, subscriptions and other monetary support.
The B&R is indeed a “sacred trust” of every Tennessee Baptist. My prayer for Chris, David and every Tennessee Baptist is that the paper will not just survive, but that it will thrive. There is a reason the paper was established almost 190 years ago, and that reason is as valid today as it was in the beginning. We are telling God’s story, alive and at work in and through Tennessee Baptists, and people need to know His story. B&R
