Advice for New Editors

Although the Editor’s role can be made more complex by having a group of people contributing copy and having a say in the content of the newsletter or magazine, it is really important to try to build an editorial team. The most obvious benefits that the editorial team can provide are:

Checks and balances, so that the publication does not become too idiosyncratic or reflect the personal theology of one individual
A shared responsibility, most significantly to generate sufficient good quality copy for each and every edition of the publication
Help in proof reading and regular administrative tasks (such as coordinating the printing and distribution)
A consultative group, whenever difficult decisions need to be taken (e.g., when choosing not to publish an item submitted to the magazine)

The benefits of an editorial team will always outweigh the potential complications so long as some key guidelines are established. For example, there needs to be clarity of roles and responsibilities, and the final authority of the editor needs to be respected by all concerned. Some church or parish magazines even have a written constitution to define the aims and objectives of the publication, and to define activities or themes (e.g., local political issues) with which it will not become involved. The senior clergy member or church leader may also need to act in an overall Chairperson’s role in the (hopefully rare) event that there is significant disagreement among the members of the editorial team.

Led prayerfully and with sensitivity by the editor, a small editorial team can provide an incredibly effective basis on which to produce and publish the church magazine or newsletter.

Just taken over the editor’s role for your church newsletter or magazine? Or perhaps you’re looking to create a new publication on behalf of your church or faith group? The responsibility can be a daunting one for some. So here are some words of wisdom, based on our direct experience, to assist you.

Building a Team

As mentioned above, some church publications have a written constitution which clearly defines their aims, objectives and raison d’etre. You may not feel the need to be so formal, but it will certainly be important to have some discussions among senior church members, church leaders, the PCC, etc., and to have agreement on the main purposes of your publication, and its target audience. It is also advisable to keep a written note of this defined purpose, (or purposes) in case of differences of opinion further down the line. Such groundwork will also be relevant if, over time, the ambitions for your publication grow and develop.

Even for modest newsletters, some parameters defining primary and secondary purposes will be needed. For example, what are the priority objectives? These might include:

Agreeing Your Purpose

Communicating the Gospel to non-Christians
Helping active Christians to grow in faith
Providing a simple diary of events for church members
Listing forthcoming events and activities for the wider community
Enabling local churches together to present an ecumenical ‘shop window’
Providing a community-wide magazine catering for church and secular organisations alike
A multi-faith publication to help bring ethnically and culturally diverse communities together

It might be, of course, that your newsletter or magazine begins very modestly but evolves over time so that its aims and objectives also broaden and change. As you will see from the Case Studies, this is quite a common experience. Ultimately, keeping several individuals involved as an editorial team will help to ensure that good quality, prayerful decisions are made about the evolving needs and purposes of your publication.

BUILDING A TEAM

YOUR PURPOSE?

FUNDING

PRINTING

DISTRIBUTION

A WEBSITE TOO?

GENERATING COPY