Advocate affirms its relationship with UMC, launches marketing…

The South Carolina United Methodist Advocate took time recently to assess its present and future, ultimately affirming its core relationship with The United Methodist Church, adopting a new vision and mission statement, taking steps to grow its digital journalism efforts, and bringing on a marketing coordinator to ensure a successful and viable financial future for the newspaper.

At its meeting Feb. 8, the Advocate’s Board of Trustees adopted four action items related to its future.

The conversations arose out of the recent disaffiliation and separation issues facing the denomination both in South Carolina and worldwide, as well as resulting major financial concerns.

“Our board unanimously supported these action items and believe they will position us well to continue our critical communications ministry as we work to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,” said Enid Brockington, the Advocate’s board chair. “Founded in 1836, the Advocate is the oldest newspaper in Methodism still in operation, and we have a strong reputation for journalistic excellence. We have won more than 125 journalism awards in the last decade and a half. We know our work is important when it comes to shining the light of Jesus Christ at work through God’s people here in South Carolina.”

Regarding its audience, the Advocate is owning its affiliation, allegiance and bias to United Methodism while welcoming all views of interest to South Carolina United Methodists and to the advancement of knowledge, faith and discipleship.

Also, all subscription rates will be available to everyone uniformly without regard to church or denomination membership.

Regarding its vision, the Advocate adopted the following statement:

“The Advocate is the voice of the people of The United Methodist Church in South Carolina, transparently sharing news of relevance to people of faith around advancing knowledge, spiritual growth and discipleship. Our future will focus on heavier emphasis on digital growth, expanding and growing the Advocate Press, and establishing new and improved communication with the conference as we work to tell the stories of the church at work in the world.”

Regarding its mission, the Advocate adopted a modified mission statement:

“The Advocate is the voice of the people of The United Methodist Church in South Carolina, transparently sharing news of relevance to people of faith around advancing knowledge, spiritual growth and discipleship. Our mission is to inform and connect South Carolina United Methodists by independently reporting relevant news, engaging readers, providing a forum for dialogue and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Finally, regarding a difficult financial situation stemming from reduced subscriptions and conference apportionment dollars in the wake of church separations, the Advocate is planning to hire an additional staff member, a marketing coordinator, in an effort to significantly increase income and enhance the publication’s outreach.

The Advocate receives conference funding, but its apportionment handles only about one-third of the Advocate’s 2024 budget. The rest of its income is generated through subscriptions, advertising, tax-deductible donations and book sales from its publishing arm, the Advocate Press. Expenses associated with the marketing director will be paid through the Advocate’s trust fund until the position is able to support itself.

A full-time position, the marketing coordinator will report to and work closely with the Advocate’s editor in developing increased marketing and awareness about the Advocate and Advocate Press, including events planning, fundraising and advertising and circulation growth.

See this article for more details.

Advocate Editor Jessica Brodie said she is excited about the potential this will bring the Advocate.

“We are committed to doing all we can to share the great work happening in South Carolina United Methodism around the state and beyond,” Brodie said. “These steps, along with our new hire, will put us in a terrific position as we approach our 200th anniversary.

“Shining the light of Christ is what we are all about, and we want to do all we can to ensure we do this to the best of our ability.”