RICHMOND, Va. — Trustees of the Religious Herald elected five new members to the news organization’s governing board and adopted a budget of $520,465 for 2012 during their regular meeting Nov. 17.
They also elected Brian Clingenpeel of Roanoke, Va. as board president for the coming year. Clingenpeel is public education specialist for the Roanoke County fire and rescue department and pastor of Springwood Baptist Church in Buchanan, Va.
New trustees of the 24-member board are:
- Richard Childress, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Raleigh, N.C.
- Betty Harrow, staff assistant for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s Capital Stewardship Services and a member of Zoar Baptist Church in Deltaville, Va.
- Bruce Heilman, chancellor of the University of Richmond.
- Stacy Nowell, associate pastor of Harrisonburg (Va.) Baptist Church.
- Nancy Walker, pastor for congregational care at Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, Va.
The 2012 budget goal is essentially the same as this year’s. Finance committee chair Shelton Miles of Long Island, Va., said that while subscription revenue and a significant contribution from the Baptist General Association of Virginia would be lower next year, cuts in expenses would compensate for the decreases. In addition, he said, advertising revenue has grown and is expected to increase next year.
Trustees also approved a five-member study committee to explore ways the Herald can position itself to navigate economic challenges and a volatile publishing environment. The committee is to report at the board’s May 10, 2012, meeting, but Clingenpeel said the process would include extensive staff and trustee involvement.