2023 ACP Best of the Church Press Awards
Each year, the Associated Church Press honors faith communicators’ best work with the ACP “Best of the Church Press” awards. New and established newspapers, magazines, journals, news services, newsletters, blogs and websites earn recognition for the work they do, along with the many excellent entries in design, social media and visual communications.
The religious landscape has changed drastically in the past few years and the role of faith-based journalism has changed along with it. From the ways we gather information to the ways we distribute our message, the role of communicators has been reinvented and reimagined.
All categories are eligible for electronic submission for the 2023 awards. We will exclusively be using the online submission and payment process at https://www.judgify.me/ACP2023. Winners will be announced at our in-person convention being held in Chicago, May 17-19, 2024.
As a bonus in this years’ contest, two categories are now free to enter! Best Emerging Journalist, for young and new faith-based journalists, and Best Disapproving Letter to the Editor, to help us remember the journalistic motto that if somebody isn’t angry about what we produce, we’re probably not doing our job.
The deadline for submission is midnight Eastern Time on February 26, 2024. Full details of the categories and entry criteria are found in the downloadable contest booklet.
Additional ACP Awards
The ACP occasionally confers awards of recognition to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of religious journalism:
- The William B. Lipphard Award, for Distinguished Service to Religious Journalism. Open to ACP members and nonmembers.
- and the Citation of Honor, for distinguished service by an ACP member.
The William B. Lipphard Award
This award was established by the Associated Church Press in 1966. It was named to honor Dr. William B. Lipphard (1887-1971), a long-time participant in ACP and its first executive secretary, serving from 1951-1961. The Award is given occasionally to recognize special achievement in the field of religious journalism. The Award is intended to be the highest honor which the Associated Church Press can confer. It is also the broadest inasmuch as its recipient need not be nor have been a participant in the Associated Church Press. The Lipphard Award is intended to honor individuals who have satisfied at least one of these criteria:
- Have made distinguished contributions in the field of religious journalism over a significant period of time;
- Have performed with unusual distinction, courage, or integrity in the religious press;
- Have contributed influence which has markedly changed or advanced the ideals for which ACP stands;
- Possess the personal qualities and talents held to be exemplary in the whole field.
The Lipphard Award is conferred upon the recommendation of a jury chosen by the Board of Directors upon nomination. The following individuals have been recipients of The William B. Lipphard Award For Distinguished Service To Religious Journalism:
- Alfred P. Klausler — 1974
- Lillian R. Block — 1980
- Penny Lernoux — 1990
- Betty Thompson — 1994
- Roger R. Kahle — 1999
- John Stapert — 2016
- Marv Knox — 2018
- Bob Terry — 2020
The Citation of Honor is for Outstanding Contributions to the ACP or Religious Journalism by an ACP member.
Citations of Honor are conferred upon individuals in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Associated Church Press and/or the field of religious journalism. Nominations should be sent to the Executive Director. Please include the names of two additional persons who are prepared to endorse the nomination. The Executive Committee will make its recommendation to the Board of Directors, which has authority to confer citations during a convention or at another specified time and place.
The following individuals have been recipients of ACP’s Citation of Honor:
- C. Ray Dobbins — 1979
- A. C. Forrest — 1980
- Kenneth L. Wilson — 1981
- J. Martin Bailey — 1984
- Edwin H. Maynard — 1984
- Willmar L. Thorkelson — 1984
- Roland E. Wolseley — 1984
- W. C. Fields — 1987
- James A. Doyle — 1988
- John Stapert — 1988
- Ernie Homewood — 1989
- Robert E. Burns — 1990
- Wayne Cowan — 1990
- Kenneth J. Holland — 1990
- Arthur Moor — 1990
- Donald F. Hetzler — 1991
- Roland R. Hegstad — 1993
- Jerry Hames — 2011
Past Awards
2022 Best of the Church Press Award winners and award certificates, presented at the 2023 Awards Banquet.
2021 Best of the Church Press Award winners and award certificates presented via Zoom Webinar on May 12, 2022.
2020 Best of the Church Press Award winners and award certificates presented via Zoom Webinar on April 8, 2021.
2019 Best of the Church Press Award winners and award certificates, presented via Livestream on March 19, 2020.
2018 Best of the Church Press Award winners and award certificates, presented at the 2019 Awards Banquet.
2017 Best of the Church Press Award winners and award certificates, presented at the 2018 Awards Banquet.
2016 Best of the Church Press Awards, presented at the 2017 Awards Banquet.
2015 Best of the Church Press Awards, presented at the 2016 Awards Banquet.