Editor - Decision Magazine

Is God calling you to ministry?

For over 70 years, The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) has proclaimed the Gospel through its various ministries. Whether you work at our headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove (BGTC) in Asheville, North Carolina, Blue Ridge Broadcasting (BRB) in Asheville, North Carolinaor a field office abroad, you are part of a team of committed Christians working together to reach people to the ends of the earth with the Gospel.

CHRISTIAN PURPOSE AND EXPECTATIONS:

All employees proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through their employment, and thereby further BGEA’s religious mission.

Department Detail –The Communications Department at BGEA consists of the following areas: project management, ecommerce, email marketing, advertising, public relations/social media/promotion, creative services (graphic design, content writing/proofing and production), and Decision magazine, our official monthly publication. The department tells the story of what God is doing through the BGEA by creating print and online content that support the organization’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel, negotiating paid and leveraging unpaid promotional placements, and engaging new and existing supporters with targeted content using a combination of indirect and direct communications channels.

Job Summary –The Editor plans and oversees the editorial and content development of Decision magazine, which exists to communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ, inform and challenge readers about key cultural and Biblical issues, and extend the ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. This position supervises the writers, designers, and production staff for the print and digital versions and explores creative avenues to raise readership levels and subscription revenue.  

Ministry Requirements

• Maintains a personal, active relationship with Jesus Christ and is a consistent witness for Jesus Christ
• Faithfully upholds BGEA in prayer
• Participates in daily BGEA staff devotions including Bible reading, and leading group prayer as schedule permits
• Demonstrates behavior aligned with BGEA’s Mission Statement, Statement of Faith, Hallmarks, policies, and expectations
• Effectively represents Jesus Christ to those within both personal and professional spheres of influence

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervises, trains, and provides editorial direction to the Decision staff for the print publication, web, and email communications
• Brainstorms story ideas and develops a monthly editorial calendar
• Creates content that attracts, engages and deepens BGEA’s relationships with its readers and constituents (including copy, design and photo selection)
• Selects and commissions authors, working with them to develop articles for Decision
• Maintains understanding of Biblical and ethical positions of BGEA, and accurately and faithfully represents related doctrinal and theological positions in articles and other content related to the ministry, ministry leadership, world events, religious news, and political events
• Travels domestically and internationally to provide real-time reporting on BGEA ministry events
• Manage workflow processes— assigns articles to staff, edits the content, and submit database selects
• Ensures that project deadlines are met
• Assists in making corrections to layouts in preparation for mock-up and transmission of files to printing plant
• Helps direct content flow on the web—including mapping and planning of features on the homepage
• Brainstorms ways to cultivate new subscribers, raise revenue through promotional efforts
• Secures contract writers and works for hire as necessary
• Manages the Decision budget

Marginal Duties and Responsibilities

• Vets and selects cost effective printers—ensuring high production quality publication and timely in-home delivery
• Ensure that ministries of BGEA are equitably presented in Decision magazine, to the extent allowed by Executive Editor and president’s office
• Encourage and create opportunities for professional growth of editorial team members
• Assist with and/or provide leadership for other projects as requested
• Other duties as assigned

Job Specifications

Skills and Knowledge

• Understanding of biblical and ethical positions of BGEA
• Understanding of the workings of the BGEA organization
• Understanding and implementing workflow systems and schedules
• Both theological and journalistic education (graduate degrees in both areas are preferable)
• Business and management skills on a leadership level

Physical/Mental Demands

• Passion for serving Jesus through the BGEA
• Christian testimony that is displayed in behavior both in the workplace and outside
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to teach and assist others
• Ability to convey a positive and professional image to employees
• Flexible when job parameters, deadlines or directions change
• Ability to work for extended periods at computer
• NOTE: This department is controlled by deadlines. Occasionally, working beyond standard hours and without prior notice is necessary.

Working Conditions

• Conventional office environment (in person)
• Work under pressure with tight deadlines
• Handle many assignments and problems at the same time
• Work with interruptions
• Work closely with others
• Ability to travel extensively as assigned

Mission Statement

Continuing the lifelong work of Billy Graham, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association exists to support and extend the evangelistic calling and ministry of Franklin Graham by proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to all we can by every effective means available to us and by equipping the church and others to do the same.

Statement of Faith

These core beliefsmakeup thefoundation upon whichall ourministryendeavorsare based.

• Webelievethe Bibleto betheinspired,the onlyinfallible,authoritativeWordofGodrevealing thelove ofGod to the world.  (1Thessalonians2:13;2Timothy3:15-17;John 3:16).
• WebelievethatthereisoneGod,eternallyexistent in three persons: Father,Son,and HolySpirit.
  (Matthew28:19; John 10:30;Ephesians4:4-6).
• Webelieveinthe deityofthe LordJesusChrist,inHisvirgin birth,inHissinlesslife,inHismiracles,inHis vicariousand atoning death through His shed blood on the cross,in Hisbodilyresurrection,inHisascensionto theright handofthe Father,andinHispersonalreturninpowerand glory. (Matthew 1:23;John 1:1-4 and1:29;Acts1:11and 2:22-24;Romans8:34;1Corinthians15:3-4;2 Corinthians5:21; Philippians2:5-11;Hebrews1:1-4 and 4:15).
• Webelievethatall men everywhere are lostandfacethe judgmentofGod,thatJesusChrististhe onlyway of salvation,andthat forthe salvationoflostand sinfulman, repentanceofsinandfaithinJesusChristresultsin regeneration bythe HolySpirit.Furthermore, we believethatGod willreward the righteouswitheternal life inheaven,andthatHe willbanish the unrighteousto everlasting punishment inhell.(Luke24:46-47;John 14:6;Acts4:12;Romans3:23;2Corinthians5:10-11;Ephesians1:7 and2:8-9; Titus3:4-7).
• Webelieveinthe present ministryofthe HolySpirit,whose indwelling enablesthe Christian tolive agodly life. (John 3:5-8;Acts1:8and 4:31; Romans8:9;1 Corinthians2:14;Galatians5:16-18;Ephesians6:12;Colossians2:6-10).
• Webelieveinthe resurrection ofboththe saved andthe lost;the saved untothe resurrection ofeternallife and the lostuntothe resurrection ofdamnationandeternalpunishment.(1 Corinthians15:51-57; Revelation20:11-15).
• Webelieveinthe spiritual unityofbelieversinthe LordJesusChristand thatall true believersaremembersofHisbody, the church.  (1 Corinthians12:12,27; Ephesians1:22-23).
• Webelievethattheministryofevangelism(sharing andproclaiming themessage ofsalvationonlypossiblebygrace throughfaithinJesusChrist)and discipleship(helpingfollowersofChristgrowup intomaturityinChrist)isa responsibilityofallfollowersofJesusChrist.  (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-15;1 Peter 3:15).
• WebelieveGod’splanfor humansexualityisto be expressed onlywithinthe contextofmarriage,that Godcreatedman andwoman asunique biologicalpersonsmadefor each other.Godinstitutedmonogamousmarriage between male andfemale asthefoundation ofthefamilyand the basicstructure of human society.Forthisreason,we believethat marriageisexclusivelythe union ofonegeneticmale andone geneticfemale. (Genesis2:24;Matthew19:5-6; Mark10:6-9;Romans1:26-27;1 Corinthians6:9).
• We believe that we must dedicate ourselves to prayer, to the service of our Lord, to His authority over ourlives, and to the ministry of evangelism.  (Matthew 9:35-38; 22:37-39, and 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-15 and 12:20-21; Galatians 6:10; Colossians 2:6-10; 1 Peter 3:15).
• We believe that human life is sacred from conception to its natural end; and that we must have concern for the physical and spiritual needs of our fellowmen.  (Psalm 139:13; Isaiah 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5; Matthew 22:37-39; Romans 12:20-21; Galatians 6:10).
• We believe God wonderfully and immutably creates each person a biological male or female.  These two distinct, but complementary sexes together reflect the image and likeness of God.  Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of God’s merciful design and creative order.  (Genesis 1:26-27; Mark 10:6; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Deuteronomy 22:5).

Expectations for Ministry Employment

Asan employee ofBillyGrahamEvangelisticAssociation:

• I acknowledge that the Lord Jesus Christ is my personal Savior and that I am a personal representative of Him.
• I understand that BGEA is a Christian organization whose purpose is proclaiming the message of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world.
• I agree that the purpose of my employment with BGEA is to further its Christian purpose, that I am prepared to assist in accomplishing that purpose, and that my role with BGEA plays a vital part in carrying out its Christian purpose and mission.
• I understand that I must exhibit conduct that is consistent with BGEA’s expectations, whether at work or away from work, in keeping with scriptural teachings and principles as set forth in God’s Word, BGEA’s Statement of Faith, and BGEA’s policies including Christian Conduct.
• I understand that BGEA has the right and the responsibility to ensure that its Christian religious purpose is carried on with the highest standards and is not harmed or impeded by conduct that is inconsistent with the Bible, BGEA’s Statement of Faith, its Christian religious purpose, or its policies
• I understand that any of my conduct which is not in keeping with the scriptural teachings and principles as set forth in God’s Word, BGEA’s Statement of Faith, and BGEA’s policies, is inconsistent with BGEA’s Christian religious purpose.
• I understand that if my conduct is determined by BGEA to be inconsistent with its Christian religious purpose, the result will be corrective action up to and including termination from employment.

The Title VII Exception for Employment

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) is a faith-based religious organization committed to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ through every effective means.  Consistent with our charitable purpose to share the Christian faith, a requirement for employment at BGEA is affirmation and adherence to our Christian Statement of Faith.  Our Statement of Faith prerequisite for employment is based upon federal law set forth in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. Section 2000e-1.