A Good Word Baptist Communicators Association

It's one thing to have a vision, but another to move that idea forward into reality. Ron Lawson has had a career-long commitment to electronic media. With a heart for missions and a commitment to the potential of digital media to tell a powerful story, Ron brought about many firsts and introduced a media strategy that would bring stories to Southern Baptist in a whole new way. His encouragement and dedication have had a powerful impact on our convention. Not only will Ron share some amazing memories but also ideas that are as relevant now as ever before.

As a seminary student in the late 1950s, Floyd Craig managed the school's print shop and served as the official seminary photographer. Sixty-plus years and a jam-packed career later, he continues to provide communications counsel through the company he founded in 1981. Equally comfortable with governors, seminary presidents and state convention executive directors, Floyd's reflections on a career that has now touched eight decades will both educate and encourage you to be a more effective communicator.

Like most everyone listening today, Anita Bowden has experienced a lot of change. She went from writing stories by relying on bits of information gathered by others, to going on international trips lasting for weeks. Her responsibilities changed from news writer to writer/editor, then news editor and eventually director of print and editorial departments. Anita is known for asking writers the hard questions and helping them to become better at what they do. Regardless of our specific jobs throughout our BCA membership, Anita's insights will impact the way we do what we do.

Among the benefits of being a part of BCA is the opportunity we have to grow through our relationship with other members. This moment is a perfect reflection of that idea. Barbara Denman has an amazing BCA legacy, and a longtime commitment to Florida Baptist communications. As a dedicated professional and friend to many, she has had a powerful impact. In this podcast Barbara shares with us some lessons learned during her communication career, and also a few things she wishes she had known before starting.

In the third episode of A Good Word, a podcast offered by Baptist Communicators Association, Jim Veneman, BCA president, continues his conversation with Margaret Colson, BCA executive director, about church crisis communications, a topic that is extraordinarily relevant in today's crisis-ridden world. In this 14-minute episode, Margaret talks about the importance of Christian communicators modeling excellence in communications for church leaders who are watching and learning from them. She reminds listeners to focus on the basics of communications, what she refers to as the MACs of effective communications, and to avoid communications comfort zones. She discusses how God can use social media to advance His gospel, explaining how churches can respond to those who comment on social media posts. Margaret closes her three-episode podcast on crisis communications by calling on Christian communicators to keep love as the guiding principle in all that they do.

In the second episode of A Good Word, a podcast offered by Baptist Communicators Association, Jim Veneman, BCA president, continues his conversation with Margaret Colson, BCA executive director, about church crisis communications, a topic that is extraordinarily relevant in today's crisis-ridden world. In this 18-minute episode, Margaret talks about the importance of believers practicing the spiritual disciplines, rather than "catechizing calamity," during times of crisis. She also acknowledges that many people will question God when a crisis, such as the pandemic, grips the world, and she shares an idea about how to respond to those tough questions as "God moments," or opportunities to answer the question and also offer a word of gospel truth. She reminds listeners of the words in 1 Peter 3:15, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." This is the second in a three-part podcast series focusing on crisis communications for churches.