23 March 2009

Church seeks new head of news and editorial

Wahroonga, New South Wales
David Gibbons

An international search has begun for a newly-created senior role in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific. The head of news and editorial will spearhead new initiatives of the church in better aligning media initiatives with the mission of the Adventist Church.

"We live in challenging times," said president of the Adventist Church in the South Pacific, Dr Barry Oliver. "For the first time in history, the world is experiencing simultaneous crises in financial, environmental and social spheres. These challenges present great opportunities to minister to the needs of a hurting world. To minister effectively, we need to communicate effectively."

The new head of news and editorial will work with an experienced communications team to convey news across all media. The role will be responsible for the editorial function of the RECORD, The Edge and InFocus. Each publication will expand to include online publications and television programs, as well as the existing printed publication. This will make the delivery of news more timely and offer greater opportunity for feedback. "RECORD will continue its tradition of excellence in meeting the diverse needs of the church community of which we are all part," Dr Oliver said.

The successful candidate will need to have had experience working with the church and its organisation, have strong theological qualifications, and an understanding of the effectiveness of print, broadcast and web modes of communication.

The move is consistent with the decisions of the business meetings of the Adventist Church in the South Pacific in 2000 and 2005, to align all of the church's communications functions more effectively with the mission of the church.

In preparation for the new initiatives, the print edition of the weekly RECORD has launched a new website, which internationally gives access to news from the division free of charge. The weekly InFocus TV program has also joined the emerging RECORD media brand, and continues to share Adventist news and the unique message of Jesus' soon return with both the church itself and the wider Christian community. This broadcast runs on Hope TV, and will soon be available on the Australian Christian Channel and Shine TV (NZ).

Other new ministries and opportunities are on the horizon.

It is anticipated that Nathan Brown, the current editor of the print form of RECORD, will take up a new role as book editor. This expanded role will make it possible for the church to publish at least 12 major books a year-something that has not been possible before. Nathan will also contribute articles for the magazines and journals published by Adventist Media Network (AMN).

A new music ministry label will soon be launched, as well as a lifestyle television channel funded from web, print, book sales and video production businesses. It Is Written (Oceania), Discovery Centre courses and Dial-a-Prayer will add to the evangelistic outreach of the division, further enhancing the mission of the church.

According to Neale Schofield, CEO of AMN, "It's time Adventists became even more strategic in the use of the media to connect and invite the public to be part of God's kingdom for eternity. We live in an era with emerging technologies, such as iPods, which make it possible for the first time in earth's history to always have the message about Jesus and His kingdom within arm's reach."

"The emergence of the web network, new programming on the Hope Channel and the integration of media, print and communication has benefited local churches and insititutions of the Adventist Church in the South Pacific," says Dr Oliver. "They have enabled our division to better communicate to our church and the public in general the good news of Jesus' second coming, and other issues in line with the mission of our church. The new initiatives will further enhance our work so far.

"It has been said that we live in a time when the only certainty is change. Our challenge and responsibility is to ensure that we preserve the eternal focus of our message and mission, while exploring and finding new and exciting ways of communicating that message and mission in a way that fulfils the commission given us by Jesus. This region is excited to be at the forefront of this endeavour."

Applications close for the head of news and editorial position on April 30.

Further information about the role.