CARY, N.C. — The Biblical Recorder (BR), the historic news outlet for North Carolina Baptists, has announced it will transition to a quarterly print publication in January and discontinue its regular print magazine at the close of 2026 to become a fully digital publication.
The changes were approved by the BR board of directors during its fall 2025 meeting.
As part of this transition, the Recorder will cease selling new print subscriptions at the end of 2025. The BR plans to continue producing a printed special edition magazine each November for the annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.
BR Managing Editor Chad Austin said the decision follows careful prayer, extensive discussion and an evaluation of the shifting media landscape and the needs of N.C. Baptists.
“Print has been part of the Biblical Recorder’s identity for nearly two centuries, and we are deeply grateful for every reader who has held these pages in their hands,” Austin said. “But we also recognize the need to adapt so that we can continue telling the stories of N.C. Baptists with excellence, timeliness and good stewardship. Our calling has not changed, even if our format will.”
The Recorder published an editorial by Austin online in which he shared news of the transition with readers. The editorial will also be printed in the first quarterly edition of the 2026 magazine, which will be published in January.
Founded in 1833 by pastor and denominational statesman Thomas Meredith, the Biblical Recorder is one of the oldest continuously published religious newspapers in the United States. For generations, it has chronicled the life and mission of N.C. Baptists.
However, the Recorder, like many religious and mainstream publications, is facing significant cultural, technological and economic challenges. Printing and postage costs have risen sharply in recent years, while reader habits have shifted decisively toward digital platforms such as websites, email and social media. Many Baptist state papers, national magazines and major metropolitan newspapers have reduced or discontinued their print editions in response to these trends.
“Good stewardship requires us to invest our resources where they can serve the most people in the most effective ways,” Austin said. “We will continue strengthening our digital reporting, storytelling and delivery so N.C. Baptists can stay informed and connected in real time.”
The announced changes reflect a long tradition of adaptation in the Recorder’s nearly 200-year publishing history. Initially founded as a weekly printed newspaper, the BR later shifted to a biweekly format. In 2020, the publication transitioned to a monthly magazine and was most recently published as a bimonthly magazine. The upcoming transition to a quarterly magazine and eventually to fully digital delivery represents the next step in an ongoing pattern of adjustments.
Despite the forthcoming format changes, the Biblical Recorder’s core mission remains the same: to help churches work together to make disciples of all nations by providing trustworthy reporting, thoughtful analysis and stories that highlight what God is doing through N.C. Baptists.
“We will continue to seek to report faithfully and communicate clearly,” Austin said. “We believe informed Baptists are better Baptists. The Recorder has always evolved when needed, and we will continue serving N.C. Baptists with faithfulness, diligence and great affection.”
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