Leaders of Christian media organizations have welcomed the idea of closer cooperation, but have stopped short of embracing the suggestion of a new umbrella body to bring them all together.

Doug Ross, president emeritus of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA), who headed that organization between 1988 and 2005, recently proposed the founding of the International Association of Christian Communicators (IACC) to bring together existing media groups.

Writing in the March issue of the U.K.'s Christian Marketplace, Ross said that the new body could combine CBA, ECPA, the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), the National Association of Evangelicals, the Evangelical Press Association (EPA), the Christian Management Association and others, including church leaders. The new body might bring "fresh and creative perspective" to a changing industry, he said.
EPA Director Doug Trouten said that Ross' idea was "very ambitious," but a good place to start may be increased interaction between Christian association leaders.

"The purposes of many of the organizations he mentions are different enough to justify the continued existence of different groups, but I agree that there is much to be gained from working together," Trouten told Christian Retailing. "Just last year the EPA came together with the Associated Church Press for our national convention, and we're always open to partnerships and collaborations that can strengthen our service to God's kingdom."

At the ECPA, President and CEO Mark Kuyper said changes in the industry made it "smart to look at options that many would have considered unthinkable before. It is imperative that we bring that kind of intentional, fresh and creative perspective to our analysis of how we serve our constituents.

"Of course, there is significant disparity in the goals and objectives of these organizations, so I imagine the result will be greater opportunity for increased collaboration in areas of shared service rather than the formulation of a single, worldwide entity," Kuyper said.

NRB President Frank Wright added: "Many groups, including the NRB, are considering co-location opportunities for their annual convention. Most of this interest is driven by changing marketplace realities and a desire to offer more value to convention attendees and exhibitors. Beyond that, Mr. Ross' idea seems targeted at Christian retail, which does not seem a good fit for the NRB."

• Prev
• Next