theacp

Longtime Broadview journalist honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 17:59:34 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Longtime Broadview journalist Mike Milne honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award

Toronto, ON — November 12, 2025 — Broadview magazine is proud to celebrate journalist Mike Milne , recipient of the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Christian Communicators Association (CCCA) . The honour recognizes Milne’s more than 30 years of distinguished reporting on The United Church of Canada and his lasting contributions to faith-informed journalism in Canada.

Milne joined The United Church Observer — now Broadview — as a staff writer in the 1980s and served as senior staff writer until his retirement in 2019. He continues to write as a freelancer for Broadview , covering the stories, debates and transformations that have shaped the church and Canadian religious life.

“Mike has exemplified the highest standards of journalistic integrity, persistence and clarity,” said Broadview Editor/Publisher Jocelyn Bell, who nominated Milne for the award. “His work helped define what editorial independence could and should mean in the context of Christian journalism.”

Over his decades-long career, Milne reported on pivotal moments in the United Church’s history, including its response to residential schools, the ordination of LGBTQ2S+ clergy, and major financial and structural reforms. His coverage has offered readers trustworthy, balanced and compassionate insights into one of Canada’s most influential faith institutions.

Perhaps most notably, Milne has attended and reported on 12 consecutive United Church General Council meetings since 1992, providing a vital record of the church’s evolving mission and identity. His meticulous reporting has become an invaluable chronicle of Canadian church life.

“Mike’s contribution is not just in the stories he wrote, but in the historical record he created,” Bell added. “His commitment to truth-telling and context has served both the church and the wider public with rare dedication.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually by the Canadian Christian Communicators Association to recognize exceptional service and influence in Christian communication across Canada.

Broadview congratulates Mike Milne on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his decades of excellence, integrity and faith-filled curiosity.

Media contact:

Jocelyn Bell

Editor/Publisher, Broadview

j.bell@broadview.org

www.broadview.org

Your Opinion Needed: Member Benefit Survey

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 23:23:13 GMT

Associated Church Press is working to develop benefits and services that fit the needs of our members. You can help! From now until November 21, please complete our Member Benefits Survey. If you provide your contact info, we'll send you a $5 coffee card!

Start the survey.

Not sure what ACP's benefits for members are? The Associated Church Press seeks to Connect, Collaborate, and Celebrate Christian media professionals across North America. Christian media is a small and vital community, teaming standards of professional journalism with faith-based communications.

Share what's important to you in our survey .

Connect

Connecting Christian Media monthly Zoom call. On the third Wednesday of each month at 12:30 – 1:30 pm ET, we host Connecting Christian Media to create a space for members to connect and discuss different topics.
ACP Update . Weekly e-news update. Members want to hear from you! Send your news to office@theacp.org for inclusion in the newsletter.
Member Directory. Our printable member directory includes contact details for all member staff and independent journalists so you can reach out to one another.
Press Passes. Press passes are issued to individual members and the staff of member organizations.
Serve on a Team or the Board. Help make ACP more useful for members. Special teams dedicated to recruiting and retaining judges for the contest cycle, and creating professional development programming are open to all members.

Collaborate

Annual Awards Contest. Hosted in the spring, this is an invaluable opportunity to meet in person and learn from one another. Award winners are announced through an in-person and livestream celebration at the conclusion of the conference.
Best Practices Summit. This fall online summit, new for 2025, brings members together to discuss best practices around selected topics.
Master Class Webinars . Learn from contest award winners from selected topics in discussion based webinars.

Celebrate

Best of the Church Press Awards Contest.  Put your best work forward in the ACP awards, which opens December 1 and closes February 15 annually. Our goal is to ensure that all members have a space to showcase their work. .
Awards Celebration. Best of the Church Press Contest award winners are announced through an in-person and livestream celebration at the conclusion of the Spring annual conference.
Social Media Posts. Celebrate the winners of the Best of Church Press contest with dedicated social posts throughout the year.

As Christian news media changes to meet the demands of audiences and resources, it becomes more and more important to collaborate with our colleagues and seek partnerships with others. We can make an impact together. Let us know how we can help you succeed.

Are AI bots pitching you stories?

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 22:07:21 GMT

Worried that your publication may be solicited by AI bots, or presented with AI created content posing as original reporting? You are not alone. Patrice Tuohy, Publisher of VISION Vocation Guide, wrote to ACP recently to share her experience, and to remind us of best practices when working with unknown freelancers or independent journalists.

Patrice writes, I am a longtime publisher and editor within the religious press. I write to alert you of several incidents involving a writer who has submitted manuscripts to various religious publications, within all three of the major religious press associations, using false identities and AI-generated content. The articles were well-written and specifically tailored toward a particular publication. Each submission was accompanied by an author biography crafted to appear credible and appropriate for the targeted audience.

Through some precautionary measures, including asking for writing samples and noticing discrepancies with the names associated with W9s and PayPal accounts, some of us avoided paying the fraudulent author, but others were not as fortunate. I write to encourage you to put your members on notice of the increasing sophistication of these writing scams and to encourage editors to do their due diligence before publishing new submissions, particularly those from unfamiliar authors.

To protect the integrity of our publications, it might be helpful to remind members of these best practices:

1. Request writing samples from any new contributors and review their style and biographical details.

2. Request a photo of the autho r and cross-reference it with previously published images of authors, particularly those bearing the same name.

3. Fact-check the author bio . Do they work or attend church where they say they do? Does the organization/ church exist? Do they have a footprint on social media? The lack of one is a red flag.

4. Request a W9 or other tax documentation. Be cautious if the name and address on the form don't match the name and address the author has given for payment.

5. Evaluate the writing: Is the article short on specifics, particularly regarding quoted sources? Does it have odd phrasing, or factual errors or inconsistencies? Run through an AI detector if it seems too general or vague.

Our experiences are likely part of a broader scheme involving fraudulent submissions by authors with fabricated biographies. In fact, we suspect several other writers who were recently published in Christian and Jewish publications of having fake identities and AI-generated content. We continue to investigate and urge your members to do the same.

Did you miss it? Best Practices Summit 2025

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:17:36 GMT

At this year’s Associated Church Press Best Practices Summit held virtually October 28th, faith-based journalists, editors, and communicators gathered to do what they do best — share stories, ideas, and encouragement. The Summit celebrated a simple truth: when Christian media professionals come together to exchange experience and insight, everyone leaves renewed in both skill and spirit.

The afternoon opened with conversations about AI in the Christian newsroom , a topic that sparked both curiosity and caution. Participants shared ways they could use AI to “clean the house so you can write” — tackling tasks like transcription, headline testing, or calendar management — while keeping a firm commitment to human oversight. AI can assist but we would not use AI content for byline material. The group also emphasized adopting clear ethical guidelines and transparency in labeling AI-generated material.

A session on storytelling and audience engagement reminded everyone that faith communication thrives on authenticity. From photo essays and podcasts to interactive devotionals and online polls, creative formats are helping audiences connect more deeply with spiritual content. Participants discussed how small experiments — like short daily podcasts or themed micro-newsletters — can expand reach and build trust. Readers don’t just want information ; they want to feel seen and part of a community.

The final discussion focused on sustainability and mission-driven revenue . Faith media is evolving beyond traditional ads and subscriptions toward community-based support, grants, and memberships that align with purpose. Attendees shared ideas such as collaborative grant calendars, member gratitude events, and donor campaigns framed around “why” their journalism matters. People give to what they believe in — we just need to show the impact of that belief in action.

Throughout the Summit, a spirit of generosity and collaboration filled the room. Each conversation, tool, and takeaway reflected the same goal: to strengthen one another as storytellers of faith. As participants left, they carried not only new practices to try but also a renewed sense of connection — a reminder that best practices are, at their heart, shared ones.

Did you miss the Summit? This new virtual event will be held each fall. Look here for key takeaways and action items from the 2025 Summit.

ACP 2026 Annual Conference – Save the Date

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 21:27:56 GMT

Associated Church Press will hold its 2026 conference May 13-15 in Toronto, focusing on building community in a polarized world. We are proud to team with the Canadian Christian Communicators Association to create a program focused on journalism and publishing skill development and knowledge sharing.

Religious news organizations and journalists will come to Toronto to connect with and learn from one another. Space is available for news organization meetings on Wednesday afternoon.

Over a dozen sessions, spanning topics such as grant funding, using AI, audience demographics, workflows and more will be covered on Thursday and Friday, culminating in our Awards Celebration Friday night.

The full conference program will be released soon.

Associated Church Press Announces Winners Of Best Of The Church Press Contest

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 12:54:08 GMT

Reporters, editors and other Christian media professionals gather for conference and awards program remotely and in person

(5/2/25 – Chicago, IL) – Members and supporters of the Associated Church Press came together this week to Connect, Collaborate and Celebrate Christian media at its Annual Conference and Awards Celebration. The Awards Celebration recognizes the winners of the Contest, which celebrates print, digital and audio work completed in 2024.

The Conference showcased ways in which Christian media professionals could connect with audiences, collaborate with each other and highlight their work through effective storytelling. Several of the sessions were livestreamed for remote attendees. Those sessions have been posted to the ACP YouTube channel, and website.

The contest, governed by the ACP’s board, admitted over 760 entries among nearly 90 categories. Each category is allowed an Award of Excellence (First Place), an Award of Merit (Second Place) and an Honorable Mention (third place) and ties are permissible. These entries were judged by Christian professionals from across the country. We are grateful for the support of our judges, including:

Anne Greggis

Clinton Lewis

Gregg Brekke

Heidi Haverkamp

Jan Rizzo

Janice van Eck

Michael Koretzky

Natalie Love

Ross Lockhart

Shan Overton

Tim Cigelske

Kevin Berrier

Jocelyn Bell

Celeste Kennel Shank

April Spray Newton

Ann LoLordo

For a full listing of winners and their award-winning work, view our awards presentation on YouTube .

Winners may download their certificates at this l ink , and use the appropriate badge to highlight their accomplishment. Award of Excellence badge , Award of Merit badge , Honorable Mention badge .

Selected winners will be invited to present their work and the story behind it during our Master Class summer series. More information will be available in our weekly ACP updates, which are available to all. Subscribe to alerts here .

Follow ACP on social media to see highlights of winning work. Facebook , Instagram , BlueSky .

The 2025 contest will open on December 1, 2025 and close on February 15, 2026. The contest is open to all.

###

The Associated Church Press is a vibrant Christian media association that connects Christian media professionals and representing member news media organizations and independent journalists in North America. We help our members succeed through networking efforts, revenue generation, professional development and industry recognition. Learn more at www.theacp.org .

2025 Annual Convention

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 17:26:21 GMT

Associated Church Press will hold its 2025 convention April 30 – May 2 in Chicago with the theme Connect | Collaborate | Celebrate. We will return to the facilities of Fourth Presbyterian Church and our preferred hotel, the Knickerbocker, with a program focused on journalism and publishing skill development and knowledge sharing.

Religious news organizations and journalists will come to Chicago to connect with and learn from one another. Space is available for news organization meetings on Wednesday afternoon.

Over 15 sessions, spanning topics such as grant funding, using AI, audience demographics, workflows and more will be covered on Thursday and Friday, culminating in our Awards Celebration Friday night.

Click here for the full conference program.
Conference location: Fourth Presbyterian Church
Hotel: Millennium Knickerbocker. Room block link Expires April 7; Room rate is $129 / night (Friday night is $139) Room link here.

Convention registration is now open here. Individual registration is $395 per person, groups of 3 or more can register for $350 per person. A limited number of full convention scholarships for new and emerging journalists. Please email the ACP Office for more information on these scholarships.

Interested in sponsoring the convention? Please visit our sponsorship page for details and payment options.

See more on our speakers here.

Call for Topics and Speakers

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 02:20:13 GMT

Call for Topics and Speakers

ACP25 Session Spark invites ACP members, religion news journalists, and the public to submit ideas for our annual conference, taking place April 30-May 2 in Chicago. For details on the submission process, refer to the ACP25 Session Spark Guide .

Important Note: The ACP conference is an in-person event. All sessions will be held live in Chicago, and speakers must attend in person.

Topics of Interest for the Conference:

· Newsroom Development

· AI & Emerging Technologies

· Audience Development

· Practical Insights & Tools

· Revenue & Sustainability

· Keynote

Preferred Formats:

· Skill-Building: Interactive sessions offering hands-on learning (3 facilitators max)

· Best Practices/Case Studies: Sharing successes, failures, and insights (2 presenters max)

· Panels: Expert discussions on complex topics (4-5 presenters max)

· Master Classes: Solo talks by experts (2 presenters max)

EPA’s DigitalMediaCon 5.0Coming October 22-24

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:25:58 GMT

EPA's DigitalMediaCon 5.0 Coming Octover 22-24

DigitalMediaCon 5.0 is a three-day online conference focusing exclusively on digital media and marketing for Christian communicators. The live virtual conference will take place October 22-24, 2024. All sessions will also be available for on-demand viewing through January 23, 2025.

The event is produced by the Evangelical Press Association (EPA) with the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) as the co-presenting organization. An additional seven Christian media associations are participating partners.

A virtual conference platform provides a single login space where registered attendees can conveniently access recorded sessions, interact through networking with community discussion boards, and browse the virtual exhibit floor. The platform will provide access to all sessions for 90 days through January 23, 2025. Read more.

Rebecca Snyder appointed as Executive Director of ACP

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:51:48 GMT

Rebecca Snyder appointed as Executive Director of ACP

The Board of Directors of the Associated Church Press is pleased to announce the selection of Rebecca Snyder of RS Partners to provide association management services. Rebecca will act as the Executive Director. Rebecca is the founder and principal of RS Partners and brings a wealth of experience in strategic communications, organizational leadership, and non-profit management to this role.

Rebecca has distinguished herself as a leader in news media, having worked in a variety of business, sales and advocacy roles throughout her career. Her deep understanding of the media industry, coupled with her commitment to integrity and ethical standards, aligns with the mission and values of the ACP.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca Snyder to the Associated Church Press,” said John Thomas III, President of the ACP Board of Directors. “Her innovative approach and dedication to fostering meaningful dialogue will be invaluable as we continue to support religious journalism and nurture a community of faith communicators.”

Rebecca’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing the ACP’s initiatives to expand the organization’s reach and impact. As Executive Director, she will oversee the ACP’s annual awards competition, operations, member services, and strategic planning efforts as well as next year’s conference, which will be held in May in Chicago.

“I am honored to join the Associated Church Press and look forward to working with its talented members to continue the tradition of excellence in religious journalism,” said Snyder. “Together, we will explore new opportunities to engage with our members, raise our visibility, and ensure that ACP remains a vital resource for religious journalists across North America.”

Please join the ACP Board in welcoming Rebecca Snyder to her new role and in thanking our outgoing executive director, Gregg Brekke, who has served the membership of the ACP faithfully for the past seven years.

ACP Executive Director Search Underway

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:54:22 GMT

ACP Executive Director Search Underway

The Associated Church Press is seeking proposals from qualified individuals and firms for the provision of executive director services to our professional organization. We hope to establish a contract on an annual basis, to begin no later than September 1, 2024.

Timeline

RFP open for submission: June 15, 2024
Proposal submission deadline July 15, 2024
Search committee review and interviews: August 7, 2024
Board consideration, approval, and new contract August 21, 2024
New executive director or administrative firm announced August 28, 2024

The ACP board will examine submitted proposals and will award a contract to the individual or firm whose proposal is determined to be most closely aligned to ACP’s needs considering the factors set forth in this RFP. The initial contract resulting from the RFP will be effective after approval by the ACP board, with annual renewal contingent upon contractual requirements being satisfied based on an end-of-year review by ACP officers. ACP will determine when it will be appropriate to issue a new RFP for management services or to renew for a successive contract.

Full details can be found at this link .

2023 Best of the Church Press award winners

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:59:21 GMT

2023 Best of the Church Press Award Winners

Please join us in congratulating the winners of the 2023 Best of the Church Press Awards. This year’s contest was entered by 67 organizations in 76 categories for a total of 821 entries.

Follow these links to complete list of 2023 Best of the Church Press Award winners and printable award certificates , presented at the 2023 Awards Banquet.

Visit the Awards Contest page for a description of special awards and links to previous years’ awards winners.