Gospel Today “I WILL HELP” Campaign

Lifeway Christian Bookstores Ban Current Issue of Gospel Today Magazine

GT Launches “I Will Help!” Campaign

In a year that has seen unprecedented momentum among African American and female leadership—with Barak Obama becoming the first African American to receive the nomination of a major political party; Senator Hillary Rodman Clinton making a historic run for President, and Governor Sarah Palin being declared a front-running Vice Presidential candidate— Gospel Today Magazine shared a riveting and timely story in its current issue (Sep/Oct ‘08) about dynamic women who are “Breaking The Stained Glass Ceiling” as pastors of churches.

Five powerful female pastors were featured on GT’s cover: Pastor Tamara Bennett (Sacramento, CA), Pastor Claudette Copeland (San Antonio, TX), Bishop Millicent Hunter (Philadelphia, PA), Pastor Sheryl Brady (Durham. NC) and Pastor Kimberly Ray (Chicago, IL).

However, to the shock and disappointment of many, because of this cover story, the Southern Baptist Convention-owned Lifeway Christian Bookstores opted NOT to display this issue of GT.

This decision affects GT’s sales in 123 Lifeway Christian Bookstore outlets nationwide, and threatens to severely reduce the magazine’s distribution income. Gospel Today became aware of Lifeway’s decision not to display the current issue after complaints were made to the Gospel Today offices from customers who were not able to locate the current magazine in Lifeway stores.

Lifeway management confirmed that indeed they were not going to display the current issue, indicating “Theology differences” as the reason. In 2000, the Southern Baptist organization declared, “Scripture teaches that a woman's role is not identical to that of men in every respect, and that pastoral leadership is assigned to men.” According to Gospel Today’s founder and publisher, Teresa Hairston, “We were not attempting to challenge the Southern Baptist Convention’s doctrine, only to report a story. We respect their right to their doctrine, but we wrote about a growing trend that is exciting and positive. These women are role models to their communities and to millions of females who dream of impacting people’s lives!”