The Tribune through the years
by Rob Walker, Tribune Assistant Editor
(Updated and adapted from an article by Tom Harper in the January 2000 issue of the Tribune)
The story of the Baptist Bible Tribune goes all the way back to the meeting of pastors, workers, and students who gathered at the Texas Hotel in Denton, TX, after the previous day’s falling out with J. Frank Norris, who was then president of the World Fundamentalist Baptist Missionary Fellowship. Having left the WFBMF meeting under protest, the group gathered to discuss opening a new college in Springfield, MO, to oppose Norris’s leadership at Bible Baptist Seminary. In the course of those discussions, the idea for an entire new Fellowship took root and was eventually agreed upon. At that meeting, Noel Smith, former editor of Norris’s The Fundamentalist, stood up and made the case that if there was going to be a new Fellowship, there should be a way for the group to communicate. “Let’s have a paper, and let’s call it the Baptist Bible Tribune,” said Smith.
Smith’s background in journalism and evangelism were harnessed to a zeal for the written word, and within about a month’s time, the first issue of the Tribune rolled off the press. Editor Smith’s legendary pen set the tone and the terms of the debate in the early days, and the personality of the BBFI was largely cast in his image. This was possible, almost inevitable, because of the nature of the organization. The Fellowship was small at first, there were no boards or state associations, or anyone to oversee Smith’s work. His initial, and often witty criticism of Norris was soon replaced with a passion for growth of Baptist Bible College, the ever-increasing number of new missionaries being sent around the world, and the growth of new churches all over America.
Smith realized the only entity with a common link to all the churches was the Tribune, and he packed a lot of useful news into eight pages. And he was unflinchingly honest. He was also wise and knew that without a common information and news source, the emerging Fellowship would fragment. The Tribune kept the vision clear, reported genuine progress, and let everyone know the BBFI was a going concern.
When the founding editor died in January 1974, he had personally guided it through the first 1,130 issues. Assistant editor Dick Barnard ran the paper until November 1974, when Wendell Zimmerman, pastor of Jacksonville Baptist Temple in Jacksonville, FL, was appointed editor. Zimmerman moved the Tribune office to Florida and, in 1980, changed from a weekly format to biweekly. He would go on to serve as editor until 1983.
James Combs was appointed the third editor and served in that capacity until 1995. Combs was a California pastor and evangelist, and, under his leadership, adjusted the publishing schedule first to every three weeks, then monthly beginning in 1991. In 1992, Combs coordinated a format change for the Tribune from newspaper format to a magazine form that is similar to today’s Tribune which coincided with the change to publishing 11 issues per year. Also under Combs, the Tribune began to publish The Baptist Preacher (1992), which was published six times per year as something of a leadership journal for pastors.
When James Combs retired in 1995, Mike Randall was chosen as the fourth editor. Randall had pastored in Missouri, Ohio, and Indiana, and had also served as a faculty member at Baptist Bible College, and, from 1991-1998, as vice president of the college. Well-known for his business acumen and his ministry and publishing experience, Randall guided the Tribune with a steadying hand until 2002 when he returned to BBC to serve as president.
Keith Bassham was chosen to succeed Randall as Tribune editor after serving as assistant editor since 1995. In a world increasingly enamoured with pixels, Bassham held to the belief that a quality print publication was not only of great benefit to the Fellowship, but could be provided at a great value. During this time, the Tribune’s digital footprint was expanded to include a downloadable version of the magazine as well as a digital page-turn version, along with expanded website features. Bassham resigned in 2015 as the longest-tenured editor since Noel Smith.
In the process of finding a successor to Keith Bassham, the BBFI Executive Committee established a new BBFI Communication Office that would include the Tribune production office, yet provide additional developments to enhance the communication avenues of the Fellowship. In 2015, Randy Harp was appointed to the position of Communication Director/Tribune Editor after pastoring in Texas and Michigan. In 2016, Harp announced the launch of the BBFI mobile app as a new tool to help the Fellowship remain connected.
In the 66 years since that first Tribune was published, a lot has changed within and without the BBFI. But one thing remains the same, and that is the primary role and function of the Baptist Bible Tribune — to report the work of the Baptist Bible Fellowship in all its facets, and to encourage independent Baptists in the work of the Lord. In an editorial shortly before his death, Noel Smith said of his more than 20 years with the Tribune, “… most of what I write is pecked out on my personal typewriter. It is hard work. And the hours are long, day and night. … But I have no complaints. And my work has had, and is having, its rewards. I choose to do what I am doing. And because I know it is worthwhile.” And as long as the Tribune continues to tell the good news of what God is doing in and through the BBFI, it will indeed be a worthwhile venture.
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The Future of the Baptist Bible Tribune
by Randy Harp
With every new editor of the Tribune comes change. In my case, the change came prior to being named the new editor. The Tribune is now part of the Communication Office of the BBFI. In the November 2015 Tribune I summarized the expansion of the Communication Office with three phrases I have repeated at every state and national Fellowship meeting I have attended. Those three phrases are in print, online, and in person.
IN PRINT
I continue to be asked if the print edition of the Tribune will give way to a digital-only format. My answer continues to be, “No.” It is true that many magazines, even ministry-based magazines, have made this transition, but I believe there is still great value in the print form. Our primary goal will remain as it has always been — to produce a magazine pastors, staff, missionaries, lay ministry leaders, and church members will all benefit from.
ONLINE
Yes, the Tribune and each BBFI entity has been online for years, but this has been the greatest area of growth in the previous year as seen most obviously during the Global Fellowship Meeting in Korea this March. Thousands of people were able to watch the services online and see recap videos via our social media platforms. The BBFI social media presence has more than doubled and looks to continue its growth. A new monthly leadership podcast was started in January and during the May Fellowship Meeting the new BBFI and BBFI Missions apps were introduced.
IN PERSON
This third phase of expansion is still a work in progress, but I have been able to visit many churches and lead strategic planning seminars and exercises. The goal is to provide resources for pastors to become more efficient and effective in ministering to their churches and communities. Plans are being finalized now to launch the BBFI Coaching Network during the February National Fellowship Meeting in Tyler, TX, at Central Baptist Church. More information on the Coaching Network will be made available in coming months.