The Presbyterian Outlook received top honors at the Associated Church Press (ACP) 2024 annual conference in Chicago last week. The ACP awards recognize excellence in faith-based media — including magazines, news services, online media and podcasts. They offer three tiers of awards: an honorable mention, an award of merit, and an award of excellence.
This year, the award contest included 67 organizations, 76 categories, and 821 entries. The Presbyterian Outlook – an independent, nonprofit publication – won 10 awards at the ACP “Best of the Church Press” ceremony, including seven awards of excellence:
Professional resource: An honorable mention for “The perilous and promising pulpit” by Thomas G. Long
James Solheim Award for editorial courage: An award of merit for “Fostering love, not fear” by Teri McDowell Ott
Best in class: Denominational or special interest magazine: An honorable mention for the Presbyterian Outlook
Biblical interpretation or lectionary reflection (long format): An award of excellence for “On women pastors and biblical authority: A Presbyterian reflection” by Frances Taylor Gench
Of “On women pastors and biblical authority,” judges wrote: “A deeply thoughtful and theologically robust reflection on the interpretation of scripture as it impacts female leadership (including preaching) in the Church in North America today.”
Theological reflection (long format): An award of excellence for “Healing desire: Hindu and Buddhist wisdom for our post-truth predicament” by John Thatamanil
Of “Healing desire,” judges wrote: “An excellent article that should motivate much conversation and reflection that urges ‘powerful desire’ that seeks the truth.”
Theme issue, section, or series: An award of excellence for our June 2023 issue, “Stop Gun Violence”
Of the “Stop Gun Violence” issue, judges wrote: “It doesn’t matter if you agree with the editorial stand, the Outlook took a brave position and defended it, while also looking at the other side. From the arresting cover design and inside images to the unique columns and well-sourced stories, this is an impressive example of how to effectively tackle a theme.”
Magazine cover: An award of excellence for our June 2023 issue, “Stop Gun Violence”
Of the cover design for the Outlook’s “Stop Gun Violence” issue, judges wrote: “A strong and smart use of photography. The image tells a story. Good placement of coverlines. Superbly executed.”
Print publication redesign: An award of excellence for Presbyterian Outlook
Of the Outlook’s redesign, judges wrote: “What a marked difference in the look and feel of the magazine. It’s clear where the emphasis lies in each section and the format is easier to navigate. Added to that is a the more bold move toward a new content focus through the design of the printed publication. Some daring and provocative themes accompany this new design.”
Personal experience, long format: An award of excellence for “We bear the mark” by Ben Weakley
Of “We bear the mark,” judges wrote: “Extremely effective use of emotion throughout. Devastating. I cried more than once. I have rarely read a first-person narrative that was so self-aware and so effective at disclosing this awareness, little by little, to the reader. Outstanding.”
Critical review: An award of excellence for “The Book of (More) Delights” reviewed by Rose Schrott Taylor, digital content editor
Of the book review, judges wrote: “Dazzling for its energy and simplicity that packs a powerful punch.”
The ACP is a professional organization of member publications, including the Outlook, “with a commitment to excellence in journalism as a means to describe, reflect and support the life of faith and the Christian community,” according to its mission statement.