New Baptist Times website goes live

Three months after the last ever print edition was dispatched to churches around the country, a new era is dawning for The Baptist Times after the launch of its website this week.

The Baptist Times was founded in 1855 and served the denomination as a printed newspaper each week until its closure in 2011 due to declining circulation and a shortfall in advertising sales.

The final edition, a special commemorative issue looking back on its 156-year history, came out on 20 January.

Now the paper has been relaunched in web format at www.baptisttimes.co.uk to provide daily updates on news around the denomination nationally and internationally.

Pat Took, President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, is currently guest editing.

The website offers a weekly round-up of Baptist news and features in an A5 format designed for churches to share electronically or print out so that congregations can pick them up on Sunday.

"‘At the heart of Baptist identity is a strong balance between independence and interdependence,’" said editor Paul Hobson, formerly the news editor on the printed Baptist Times.

"‘Our ultimate aim is to connect, encourage and resource the denomination, to help deepen faith and live out Christ’s mission.’"