News update
    Association of editors, reporters to reclaim media
 A new national effort is being launched with the goal of reclaiming mainstrem media.  "In His Steps" seeks to encourage, strengthen and promote Christians in media.

How?  One step -- or hire -- at a time by helping newsmen ask "What would Jesus do?"  The association will encourage Christians to emulate the newspaper editor of Charles Sheldon's "In His Steps," the book that eventually led to the WWJD movement.

Director Rusty Weller is creating the association to support editors, reporters and publishers as they prayerfully conduct business.  Weller, a layman at the time, rescued a series of failing weekly newspapers before becoming a pastor.

"Calling shots based on Bible principles proved extremely successful, incresing readership, circulation and advertising revenues," Weller said in making the announcement. "And that kind of success on a resume pays off in larger markets. It's scriptural! The Lord blesses such obedience, as He did in the book of Daniel."

Elevated by employers who value results, Christian editors and employers gain Godly influence at decision-making meetings at America's major newspapers and TV networks. First the media's rampant anti-God bias will fade, giving way to reporting the many ways Christians unselfishly benefit our society.

"The goal is help God establish voices of truth at the highest levels of media to speak what's right for our families, our communities, our regions and ultimately our nation," Weller said. "I'm calling on all believers to help this effort increase the character and the integrity of America's news coverage."

Asking what would Jesus do, Weller noticed his first weekly paper would cover speakers at civic club luncheons, which averaged 20 people, but ignored church youth groups, which drew twice as many.  "And if a coach or athlete -- any news source -- gave credit to God, I quoted them.  I didn't edit the Lord out of my pages like many papers do."

Weller found people enjoyed and supported such changes along with an increased emphasis on positive news. "It works! God makes sure of it," he said. "More people started reading and subscribed, which increased the interest of advertisers."

For more on how media can get it right GO=> In His Steps