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WORLD
Executive EditorLes Sillars[1]
Categoriesnews, religion, culture, politics
FrequencyMonthly
Circulation41,831[2]
FounderJoel Belz
First issue1986
CompanyWorld News Group/God's World Publications
CountryUnited States
Based inAsheville, North Carolina
LanguageEnglish
Websitewng.org
ISSN0888-157X

World (often stylized in all-caps as WORLD) is a monthly Christian news magazine, published in the United States by God's World Publications, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Asheville, North Carolina.[3] World's declared perspective is one of Christian evangelical Protestantism.[4][5]

Each issue features both U.S. and international news, cultural analysis, editorials and commentary, as well as book, music and movie reviews. World's end-of-the-year issue covers stories from the previous year, obituaries, and statistics.[4]

History

[edit]

World was launched by Joel Belz in 1986 as a publication of The Presbyterian Journal, a theologically conservative magazine founded in 1942.[6] However, due to low readership and financial difficulties, The Presbyterian Journal cancelled the publication that June.[7] Belz convinced the board of The Presbyterian Journal to shut down operations and reallocate its resources to World, which relaunched in 1987.[8] It started with about 5,000 subscribers and the publishers initially requested donations in every issue to stay afloat. At its peak, World had a circulation exceeding 160,000.[9]

In 2005, Nick Eicher replaced Joel Belz as CEO and World considered moving its headquarters to a different city.[10] Eicher made the decision to move the company's business model away from focusing on ad sales. (By 2025, the company said nearly 90 percent of its revenue is derived from subscriptions and charitable contributions.)[11] In 2008, World switched from publishing weekly to biweekly.[12] That same year Eicher was succeeded by Kevin Martin. In July 2011, World moved its office from Innsbruck Mall in Asheville to a former bank building at Biltmore Village.[13]

World magazine received national media attention in 2009, when its then features editor Lynn Vincent was chosen to collaborate on former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's memoir, Going Rogue: An American Life.[14][15][16][17]

In 2012, World began referring to itself as World News Group, which includes its print, digital, and broadcast properties.[citation needed] In 2014, Nick Eicher became Chief Content Officer, responsible for all editorial content for the organization.

In 2021, Marvin Olasky's tenure as editor-in-chief of World Magazine ended, but he continued working with the magazine until 2022, and he planned to continue working with World Journalism Institute beyond that time.[18]

In July 2024, World changed its magazine from printing biweekly to monthly.[19] Three months later, in late September, World's two office buildings in Biltmore Village were flooded by up to six feet of water from the Swannanoa River during Hurricane Helene.[20]

Editorial team

[edit]
Offices in Biltmore Village, Asheville

World News Group's editorial staff is led by co-chief content officers, Lynn Vincent (also the executive editor of World) and Nick Eicher. In addition, an editorial council provides direction for organization's editorial efforts. The current members of the editorial council are Brian Basham (program director-World Watch), Paul Butler (executive producer-World Radio), Rebecca Cochrane (editorial director-God's World News), Leigh Jones (Executive Editor-Feature), Tim Lamer (executive editor—commentary); Lynde Langdon (executive eitor—news), and Mickey McLean (executive editor-World Digital), along with the co-CCOs.

Unlike World's business staff, which works almost entirely in Asheville, the majority of its editorial and production staff live elsewhere.[10]

Editors of World

[edit]
  1. Joel Belz (1986-1994)
  2. Marvin Olasky (1994-2001)
  3. Nick Eicher (2001-2004)
  4. Mindy Belz (2004-2015)
  5. Tim Lamer (2015-2020)
  6. Michael Reneau (2020-2022)
  7. Tim Lamer (2022, interim)
  8. Lynn Vincent (2022-2024)
  9. Les Sillars (2025–present)[1]

Coverage of evangelical controversies

[edit]

World has received positive critical commentary from the New York Times regarding its investigative reporting on controversies within the evangelical Christian community.[21]

In an August 29, 2009, cover story, World reported on the C Street Center in Washington, D.C., and the secretive organization behind it, the Fellowship, a.k.a. "The Family".[22] Scott Horton of Harper's Magazine praised the piece, saying the magazine's "attitude is critical and exacting. The piece looks like serious journalism, much like the publication's exposé work on Ralph Reed and other scandals in the past."[23] Rachel Maddow, on her August 17, 2009, show said, "The article exposes The Family's mysterious money trail and describes the C Street scandals using the word 'scandal' and argues that The Family subscribes to a, quote, 'muddy theology' and it harbors, quote, 'a disdain for the established church.'"[24]

The magazine reported that Christian apologist and conservative political commentator Dinesh D'Souza had shared a hotel room with his fiancée prior to filing for divorce from his previous wife.[25] After World broke the story, D'Souza resigned as president of New York's The King's College in response.[26][27]

In December 2018, World's investigative report[28] on Harvest Bible Chapel and its pastor, James MacDonald, led to a shakeup at the suburban Chicago megachurch. The article written by freelance writer Julie Roys included detailed information on financial mismanagement and a culture of deception and intimidation at the church. On February 13, 2019, the elders of the church announced the firing of MacDonald.[29][30]

World Digital

[edit]

World's digital properties are headed by Executive Editor Mickey McLean. The World website includes daily news stories, including daily news briefs called "The Sift,"[31] weekly news roundups[32] and editorial cartoons.[33] World's magazine content is also available through its apps for iOS, Android, and Amazon Kindle devices.[34]

World Radio

[edit]

On August 6, 2011, World launched a weekly two-hour radio news program called The World and Everything in It.[35][36] Hosted by then-executive producer Nick Eicher and senior producer Joseph Slife, the program aired weekends on U.S. stations and featured reports, interviews, and analysis from the organization's editorial team. In May 2013, The World and Everything in It became a 30-minute daily podcast. Slife left the program in May 2017 and was replaced as co-host by Mary Reichard.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

World (magazine)

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from Grokipedia

World is a biweekly Christian news magazine founded in 1986 by Joel Belz and published by the nonprofit World News Group in . It delivers reporting, analysis, editorials, and reviews on domestic and international , , and , interpreted through an evangelical biblical framework that prioritizes factual accuracy and scriptural principles over secular narratives. Under Belz's direction as editor, publisher, and CEO until his death in February 2024 at age 82, World grew from a modest print —initially inspired by mainstream outlets like Time but committed to a "God's-eye view"—into a enterprise encompassing digital articles, podcasts, WORLD Radio broadcasts, and training via the World Journalism Institute for aspiring Christian reporters. The magazine's circulation has sustained a dedicated readership among evangelicals, with its content emphasizing causal accountability in events and resistance to institutional biases prevalent in broader media. World distinguishes itself through rigorous investigative journalism that has uncovered financial improprieties, leadership abuses, and doctrinal deviations in prominent evangelical organizations, including megachurches and parachurch ministries, occasionally provoking backlash from affected parties for its unflinching scrutiny. Such reporting aligns with Belz's vision of equipping believers to engage the world discerningly, fostering a legacy of independent that challenges both progressive cultural shifts and complacency within conservative circles.

Origins and Founding

Establishment by Joel Belz

Joel Belz, a Presbyterian minister and journalist, established World magazine in March 1986 as an extension of his prior work in Christian publishing. Having joined The Presbyterian Journal in 1977 and later founded the children's newsmagazine It's God's World in 1981—which expanded to several age-group specific titles by the mid-1980s—Belz sought to fill a perceived gap in adult-oriented Christian journalism. He envisioned a publication modeled after Time magazine but informed by a conservative evangelical perspective, delivering "sound journalism grounded in facts and biblical truth" across politics, arts, science, and culture from what he termed a "God's-eye" view. The inaugural issue, produced in the basement of an Asheville, North Carolina, mall with a small staff, featured a 16-page glossy format. Its cover highlighted U.S. Senators and debating the federal budget deficit, accompanied by theological analysis from and on-the-ground reporting from . Belz served as both editor and publisher, aiming for weekly publication with an initial print run attracting around 5,000 readers for the first 13 issues. Financial difficulties emerged quickly, with the venture accruing approximately $300,000 in debt by late , prompting a near-bankruptcy and temporary suspension. relaunched the magazine in 1987 after securing $300,000 in investments from a board of supporters, stabilizing operations and enabling sustained weekly output that eventually grew to 50 issues annually by the mid-1990s. This relaunch marked the formal establishment of as a distinct entity under what would become World News Group, reflecting Belz's commitment to biblically informed reporting amid evangelical circles' demand for rigorous, faith-integrated news analysis.

Initial Focus and Challenges

World magazine, launched in March 1986 by Joel Belz, initially focused on delivering coverage through a biblical , aimed at adult evangelical readers seeking an alternative to secular media narratives. This emphasis stemmed from Belz's prior success with a children's started in , which prompted demands for similar content tailored to grown audiences, prioritizing factual reporting infused with Christian principles over opinion-driven commentary. The venture faced immediate financial and operational hurdles, accruing approximately $300,000 in debt after just 13 biweekly issues, with readership stagnating at around 5,000 subscribers, many of whom expressed dissatisfaction with the content's direction. later described the first five years as a period dedicated solely to organizational survival, involving lean operations and efforts to stabilize funding amid competition from established outlets and limited appeal in a . These early struggles necessitated integration with The Presbyterian Journal for support, underscoring the challenges of sustaining independent Christian in an era dominated by mainstream publications.

Editorial Evolution

Succession of Editors

Joel Belz founded WORLD magazine in 1986 and served as its initial editor, guiding its early development as a biweekly publication focused on news from a biblical . He transitioned from the editor role in the early 1990s to concentrate on publishing and CEO duties at God's World Publications (later WORLD News Group), while remaining influential in the organization's direction until his death in 2024. Marvin Olasky succeeded as starting in 1992, a tenure spanning nearly three decades that emphasized rigorous grounded in Christian principles, including the expansion of investigative reporting and the establishment of the World Institute. Olasky, who joined WORLD amid its growth phase, prioritized factual reporting over opinion, authoring guidelines that stressed biblical objectivity and skepticism toward secular media narratives. His leadership saw the magazine navigate cultural shifts, such as coverage of and debates, but ended abruptly in November 2021 when he resigned over leadership decisions to launch a dedicated opinion section under , which Olasky argued diluted the publication's core commitment to unbiased news gathering; this move prompted resignations from seven other senior editors as well. In the ensuing transition, marked by internal tensions over editorial balance and political influences—including critiques from former staff that the changes reflected pressure to align more closely with certain evangelical figures—WORLD appointed Les Sillars as in late 2024. Sillars, a longtime WORLD contributor since 1999 in roles as writer, editor, and producer, assumed responsibility to restore focus on daily news coverage while upholding the magazine's foundational ethos; he also directs programs externally, bringing experience in both print and . As of 2025, Sillars oversees a masthead including executive editor Lynde Langdon and specialized desks, amid ongoing adaptations to digital formats.

Key Leadership Transitions

In 1994, founder Joel Belz stepped down from his role as editor of World to concentrate on the publication's business operations as CEO and publisher, a transition that allowed him to oversee growth while maintaining his weekly column. Marvin Olasky, who had joined World in 1992, assumed the position of editor-in-chief that year, shaping the magazine's journalistic approach through "biblical objectivity"—a commitment to factual reporting informed by a without overt advocacy. Olasky held this leadership role for over two decades, expanding investigative coverage and influencing conservative evangelical until his on November 1, 2021. He cited fundamental disagreements with World's parent organization, God's World Publications (later WORLD News Group), over its pivot toward nonprofit media initiatives, which he viewed as diluting the magazine's core mission and financial independence. Olasky's departure marked a pivotal shift, as it highlighted internal tensions between traditional print-focused operations and emerging digital and grant-dependent models. Following Olasky's exit, effective January 2022 after the annual issue, World adopted a co-leadership structure among senior editors to stabilize editorial direction. Nick Eicher, a longtime staffer who had previously served as and editor, advanced to , overseeing broader content strategy across print, digital, and radio platforms. In August 2022, Lynn , a bestselling author and former senior writer at World, was named executive editor, bringing expertise in and high-profile collaborations to guide feature and investigative teams. Vincent's tenure emphasized multimedia integration but ended in 2025 amid ongoing organizational evolution. A more recent transition occurred in December 2024, when Les Sillars, a veteran since 1999 as a writer, editor, and producer, was appointed , assuming full editorial oversight by early 2025. Sillars, who also directs programs externally, represents continuity in experiential leadership, with his selection praised for fostering institutional knowledge amid challenges like digital adaptation and audience retention. These changes reflect World's adaptation to leadership succession in a competitive media landscape, balancing fidelity to its founding principles with operational necessities, though Olasky's critique underscores risks of mission drift in nonprofit alignments.

Core Philosophy and Approach

Biblical Objectivity Principle

The Biblical Objectivity Principle serves as the foundational journalistic ethos of World magazine, articulated in its mission statement as "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires." This approach posits that true objectivity derives from aligning reporting with scriptural truths, recognizing that human perceptions are inherently limited by and finitude, while the offers the sole comprehensive view of reality as ordained by its divine Author. Former editor-in-chief Marvin Olasky, who shaped the magazine's philosophy during his tenure from 1994 to 2021, emphasized that biblical objectivity requires journalists to prioritize God's revealed perspective over neutral , which he critiqued as illusory given humanity's fallen nature. In application, the principle manifests as a commitment to portray events through a lens that affirms human dignity as image-bearers of —capable of both profound and redemption—rather than reductive materialist or relativistic frameworks. For instance, on educational policy, it supports Bible-based schooling while scrutinizing state-run systems that contradict scriptural ethics, viewing such criticism not as but as to divine standards. Internationally, it advocates pursuing without concessions to aggressors, balancing realism about human depravity with hope in 's . Olasky illustrated this by grading journalistic stances on moral issues: alignment with clear biblical mandates on topics like life or constitutes objectivity, whereas reflects compromise with cultural norms. Critics from secular journalism circles have challenged biblical objectivity as ideologically driven, arguing it imposes a rather than achieving detachment; proponents counter that all reporting entails presuppositions, and Scripture provides the most reliable epistemic , substantiated by its historical fulfillment of prophecies and moral coherence. Within evangelical media, the principle distinguishes World from outlets favoring accommodationist tones, insisting instead on unflinching application of biblical texts to contemporary events, such as cultural shifts or political developments. This framework, refined through decades of editorial practice, underscores World's rejection of postmodern skepticism in favor of propositional truth claims verifiable against Scripture.

Conservative Evangelical Worldview

World magazine's conservative evangelical worldview centers on interpreting all aspects of news and culture through the lens of , asserting that God's Word provides the ultimate standard for truth and morality in . This approach, pioneered by founder Joel Belz, rejects secular in favor of a framework where facts are reported rigorously but analyzed in light of Scripture's teachings on creation, human sinfulness, redemption through Christ, and eschatological hope. Staff commitment to this perspective is formalized through adherence to the , affirming core doctrines such as the , Christ's and , and by grace alone. Central to this worldview is the concept of "biblical objectivity," articulated by longtime editor Marvin Olasky as the recognition that only fully comprehends His creation, making alignment with Scripture the pathway to genuine insight rather than feigned neutrality. Under biblical objectivity, reporting acknowledges humanity's dual nature—imago Dei yet fallen—avoiding both naive optimism and cynical despair prevalent in secular media. This manifests in editorial decisions that prioritize eternal verities over transient trends, such as upholding the biblical definition of as between one man and one woman and the inherent value of preborn life as bearing God's image from conception. The magazine's coverage reflects a conservative evangelical emphasis on cultural engagement, critiquing progressive ideologies on issues like gender roles and religious liberty as incompatible with scriptural norms while advocating for policies that align with Judeo-Christian ethics. For instance, post-Roe v. Wade analyses trace evangelical political mobilization to moral convictions against , framing it as a covenantal breach rather than partisan expediency. This equips readers—predominantly Protestant evangelicals—to navigate societal decay with hope in Christ's lordship, fostering that not only informs but also calls for and societal grounded in God's redemptive plan.

Biweekly to Monthly Format Shift

In April 2024, WORLD Magazine announced its transition from a biweekly to a monthly print schedule, a decision deliberated internally for nearly four years to enhance content depth and production quality. The shift aimed to produce a "heftier" with expanded features, including larger trim sizes, additional stories, a puzzle in every issue, and a new dedicated section, addressing limitations of the thinner biweekly format. This change took effect with the July 2024 issue, increasing page dimensions from 8 by 10.5 inches to 8.625 by 10.875 inches, allowing for more substantial reporting without sacrificing timeliness through digital supplements. The format adjustment reflected broader adaptations in print media amid declining postal costs and reader preferences for in-depth analysis over frequent but abbreviated updates, as articulated by magazine leadership. While the core editorial focus on biblical worldview journalism remained unchanged, the monthly cadence enabled longer-form pieces and visual enhancements, aligning with WORLD's emphasis on comprehensive coverage of news, culture, and faith issues. Initial reader response included some pushback, with subscribers expressing attachment to the biweekly rhythm for its perceived , though proponents highlighted the benefits of reduced and elevated production values. By mid-2024, the transition stabilized, integrating seamlessly with WORLD's digital offerings to maintain overall news delivery frequency.

Content Structure and Features

WORLD Magazine structures its print issues around a core set of recurring departments and feature-length articles, emphasizing concise news summaries, analytical pieces, and worldview-informed commentary. Each monthly edition typically opens with Dispatches, short reports on domestic and international developments, providing factual overviews of breaking events without extensive interpretation. Following these are in-depth Features, which comprise the magazine's primary , often spanning multiple pages to examine complex topics like , , or social trends through empirical reporting and causal analysis grounded in biblical principles. The Culture section delivers reviews and critiques of books, films, music, and media, assessing cultural artifacts for alignment with and truth claims rather than aesthetic merit alone; for instance, annual books-focused editions expand this department to cover publishing trends and author interviews. Notebook serves as a space for editorial annotations, data-driven insights, and brief essays on policy or societal shifts, frequently incorporating statistics and primary sources to challenge mainstream narratives. Voices features opinion columns and personal testimonies from contributors, attributing viewpoints explicitly to authors while maintaining the publication's commitment to scriptural objectivity over subjective advocacy. Closing departments include , which contextualizes current news with historical precedents, drawing on verifiable timelines and documents to highlight patterns of and . This modular layout, expanded in the June 2024 shift to a larger monthly format from biweekly, allows for 20-30% more content per issue, including enhanced visuals like infographics and photographs to illustrate claims without . End-of-year special issues, such as "WORLD 2024," consolidate annual reviews and rankings across categories like politics and culture, using ranked lists and comparative data for reader reference.
  • Dispatches: Timely news briefs (2-4 paragraphs each).
  • Features: Long-form reporting (5,000+ words).
  • Culture: Media critiques with spoiler-free summaries.
  • Notebook: Analytical shorts with sourced facts.
  • Voices: Signed columns (500-1,000 words).
  • Backstory: Retrospective essays linking past to present.
This structure prioritizes readability via clean , multi-column grids for dense text, and pull quotes from primary sources, ensuring claims are traceable and avoiding unsubstantiated assertions.

Multimedia Expansions

World Digital Initiatives

WORLD's digital presence centers on its , wng.org, which delivers breaking news, biblically grounded analysis, and cultural commentary from an expanded team of digital reporters positioned domestically and internationally. The platform includes full access to magazine archives dating back through the publication's history, enabling subscribers to browse past issues online. Digital-only subscriptions, priced separately from print options, grant unlimited reading of articles, field reports, and related , emphasizing real-time global awareness over traditional print cycles. In parallel, developed a mobile application, the News Group app, available on and Android platforms since at least 2011, with ongoing updates to integrate magazine content, online articles, and select podcasts into a unified interface. A redesign implemented by transformed the app into a daily newspaper format, curating content to reduce and prioritize succinct, categorized news delivery—such as hourly updates and themed sections—for mobile users. These initiatives reflect a strategic pivot announced in April 2024, aligning digital expansion with print adjustments by introducing a structured daily digital newspaper via the app during the summer of that year, thereby enhancing for non-print audiences while maintaining the organization's commitment to factual, worldview-informed reporting. Subscription models bundle digital access with features like video embeds and interactive elements, though core emphasis remains on text-based over ephemeral formats. This approach has supported growth in online readership, with the site serving as a primary hub for immediate event coverage distinct from the magazine's deeper features.

World Radio and Podcast Development

WORLD Radio debuted on August 6, 2011, with the launch of its flagship weekly two-hour program, The World and Everything in It, hosted initially by Eicher and Jenny Rough (later joined by others like Sarah Schweinsberg). The initiative aimed to extend WORLD's biblically grounded into audio format, featuring summaries, interviews, cultural commentary, and segments such as Legal Docket, Moneybeat, and Book, all delivered from a conservative evangelical perspective emphasizing factual reporting over . In May 2013, The World and Everything in It transitioned from a weekly radio broadcast to a 30-minute daily , significantly broadening its accessibility and frequency to align with growing demand for on-demand audio content among evangelical audiences. This shift facilitated daily delivery of curated news, field reports, and analysis, with episodes structured around headlines, expert insights, and worldview-oriented discussions, often challenging mainstream narratives on topics like politics, science, and family policy. Subsequent developments included the expansion of podcast offerings under the WORLD Radio umbrella, incorporating specialized segments like WORLD Radio News for concise updates and thematic series such as Echoes Through History for archival . By maintaining a commitment to primary sourcing and toward institutional biases in media, these programs have achieved recognition as a top-100 on platforms like , reflecting steady audience growth amid the broader industry's expansion to over 500 million global listeners by 2025.

Notable Coverage Areas

Reporting on Evangelical Issues

World magazine's reporting on evangelical issues applies a biblical objectivity , prioritizing scriptural standards over institutional loyalty or cultural accommodation in evaluating church leaders, doctrines, and practices. This approach has led to investigative pieces exposing financial mismanagement, cover-ups, and doctrinal drift within evangelical circles, often drawing criticism from affected parties but earning praise for promoting . For example, in 2014, the magazine's scrutiny of pastor Mark Driscoll's leadership—highlighting authoritarian tactics and financial opacity—contributed to his resignation and the church's dissolution. In 2018, World published a multi-part special report on in Protestant churches, documenting cases of predation by pastors and systemic failures in handling allegations, such as at where former staff accused leadership of deception and secrecy. The series emphasized that biblical mandates require confronting sin within the church rather than external judgment alone, citing passages like 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, and called for denominational reforms without shielding perpetrators. This coverage extended to broader patterns, noting low reporting rates—only 1 in 33 churchgoing women experiencing advances from leaders, per cited research—and urged transparency over damage control. The magazine frequently addresses doctrinal confusion among evangelicals, reporting on surveys revealing widespread deviations from orthodox beliefs; a 2025 Ligonier State of Theology poll, for instance, found over 60% of self-identified evangelicals affirming that people are born innocent rather than in sin, contradicting core biblical . Such pieces critique elite compromises, where leaders prioritize cultural acceptance over conviction, as seen in analyses of political alignments and theological shifts. World also covers threats to evangelical religious freedom, both domestically and abroad. In a 2024 article, it highlighted Italy's discriminatory practices against non-Catholic churches, where evangelical congregations face bureaucratic hurdles despite constitutional guarantees, framing these as violations of free exercise rather than mere administrative oversights. Domestically, reporting examines debates like , where contributors argue against conflating faith with partisan ideology while defending biblically informed public engagement, and internal rifts over figures like Donald Trump's nominees, with some evangelicals expressing concerns over alignment with scriptural ethics. Global evangelical issues receive attention, including UN scrutiny of pro-Israel Christian groups in 2025, portrayed as targeted amid broader geopolitical tensions. Overall, World's evangelical coverage balances affirmation of faithful ministries with unflinching critique, grounded in a conservative Reformed-influenced that views as a tool for truth-telling within the .

Broader News and Cultural Analysis

World magazine's broader news and cultural analysis applies a biblical framework to evaluate global and domestic events, societal shifts, and media trends, emphasizing the tension between Christian principles and prevailing secular ideologies. Coverage spans political developments, such as policy debates on structures and roles, alongside critiques of cultural phenomena like and systems that undermine traditional values. This approach prioritizes factual reporting infused with worldview-based interpretation, as evidenced by regular opinion columns that dissect news for underlying moral implications. In societal analysis, the magazine addresses perceived cultural erosion, arguing that internal ideological threats—such as permissive attitudes toward self-destructive behaviors—can lead societies toward decline, drawing on historical and contemporary examples of civilizational weakening. Podcasts like Culture Friday examine issues including the expansion of advocacy and resistance to policies, framing these as symptoms of a broader shift away from objective truth toward subjective . Political commentary often highlights free speech constraints and institutional biases, as in discussions of media figures facing backlash for dissenting views. The publication also underscores Christianity's historical contributions to cultural stability, positing that biblical influences have fostered enduring institutions like the and , which counter modern . Articles advise believers on navigating adversarial cultural landscapes, advocating resilience through scriptural fidelity rather than accommodation. This analysis extends to arts and entertainment reviews, where content is assessed for alignment with or deviation from redemptive narratives, promoting discernment amid pervasive secular messaging.

Reception and Impact

Achievements in Journalism

WORLD magazine has distinguished itself through rigorous investigative reporting on accountability issues within evangelical institutions, often pioneering coverage where mainstream and other have hesitated. In December 2018, it published detailed accounts of alleged financial mismanagement and a culture of intimidation at under founder James MacDonald, including misuse of donor funds for personal legal defenses and suppression of dissent among elders. This scrutiny amplified prior whistleblower concerns, contributing to MacDonald's termination as senior pastor in February 2019 following the public airing of his inflammatory remarks, amid broader revelations of leadership failures. The magazine's October 2020 exposé on additional allegations against apologist , involving massage therapists at his affiliated spas, preceded Ravi Zacharias International Ministries' (RZIM) internal probe, which in February 2021 substantiated patterns of abuse, spiritual manipulation, and cover-ups spanning years. WORLD's early reporting pressured RZIM to commission an independent investigation by Miller & Martin, ultimately leading to the organization's partial dissolution, rebranding as , and policy reforms on abuse prevention. In August 2018, WORLD issued a dedicated report on and mishandling in Protestant denominations, documenting cases across Baptist, Presbyterian, and independent churches, and advocating for systemic reforms like independent investigations and victim support—efforts that highlighted gaps in oversight and influenced subsequent discussions on church . This body of work, guided by former editor Marvin Olasky's framework of "biblical objectivity" (prioritizing empirical facts over presumed neutrality), has earned commendation for sustaining investigative depth amid industry-wide declines, positioning the magazine as a catalyst for transparency in faith-based organizations.

Criticisms and Internal Debates

In November 2021, longtime editor-in-chief Marvin Olasky resigned from World magazine after nearly 30 years, accelerating his planned 2022 retirement due to a board decision to launch a new "World Opinions" online section without his approval. The section, overseen by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president Albert Mohler, emphasized conservative opinion essays on topics including former President Donald Trump, mask mandates, and President Joe Biden's policies, prompting concerns that it would overshadow the magazine's traditional focus on factual reporting. Several senior staff members, including senior editor Mindy Belz and reporter Angela Lu Fulton, also departed around the same time, citing fears that the initiative risked presenting a singular "Christian view" on politically charged issues and undermining World's commitment to on-the-ground journalism. Olasky, who championed "biblical objectivity"—a journalistic approach prioritizing empirical facts interpreted through a Christian lens—had previously drawn internal tension for critiquing Trump as "unfit for power" in a , grounded in scriptural assessments of character rather than alone. Despite reader backlash to such pieces, the magazine experienced no significant revenue loss at the time, but the 2021 board vote was interpreted by Olasky as a lack of confidence in his . World's CEO Kevin Martin and board defended the expansion as necessary to engage audiences amid cultural shifts, arguing it complemented rather than supplanted reporting. In a September 2022 column for Current magazine, Olasky escalated his critique, alleging that World's leadership had compromised journalistic independence through "pay-to-play and editorial favoritism," including donor influence via business executives on the editorial council and selective omissions in coverage. He cited examples such as the magazine's failure to follow up on 2020 reporting about sexual harassment allegations against then-Congressman , suggesting a reluctance to criticize figures aligned with the political right. Martin responded by praising Olasky's tenure but declined to address the specific claims, while some former staff and subscribers echoed Olasky's concerns, leading to subscription cancellations. Broader internal discussions at have grappled with the challenges of maintaining objectivity in a polarized media landscape, as acknowledged in a January 2022 staff article on "journalistic ." Externally, outlets assessing media credibility have rated World as strongly biased toward conservative causes due to story selection favoring traditional Christian perspectives on issues like and cultural decay, though it scores highly on factual reporting. Such evaluations reflect World's explicit mission to provide biblically informed analysis, which contrasts with secular media norms but aligns with its evangelical readership.

Recent Developments and Future Outlook

2024 Format and Operational Changes

In April 2024, WORLD Magazine announced a shift from biweekly to monthly print publication, effective starting in the summer, to allow for a larger trim size, additional content including extra stories and a new section, and features such as a crossword puzzle in every issue. This change aimed to enhance depth in reporting while adapting to evolving reader preferences and operational efficiencies, as the biweekly format had been under consideration for nearly four years. Concurrently, introduced a daily digital newspaper accessible via a dedicated app in summer , positioning it as a complementary platform to deliver timely news updates separate from the print edition's focus on in-depth analysis. The first monthly issue, released on June 13, , exemplified these updates with expanded sections, including a heftier books review area, reflecting the editorial team's plans for richer, less frequent but more substantive content. Reader feedback was mixed; some praised the increased page count and format enhancements for providing more comprehensive coverage, while others criticized the reduced frequency as diminishing the magazine's timeliness as a newsmagazine. Operationally, WORLD News Group also adjusted its Editorial Council structure in 2024 to streamline governance and support these strategic pivots, as outlined in late 2023 planning. No major staff reductions or relocations were reported, with the organization maintaining its headquarters in Asheville, North Carolina's Biltmore Village as of September 2024.

Ongoing Expansions and Challenges

In April 2024, WORLD magazine announced a transition from a biweekly to a monthly format, described as a "hefty" to enable deeper, more substantive reporting on cultural and global events from a biblically grounded perspective. This shift, under consideration for nearly four years, aims to fill a perceived gap in the news marketplace for print media offering extended analysis amid the dominance of rapid digital news cycles. The inaugural monthly issue in June 2024 realized initial editorial expansions, including enhanced features and investigative pieces, with leadership expressing ambitions for ongoing content growth to better serve subscribers seeking comprehensive worldview integration. Parallel digital expansions continue through integrated subscriptions, bundling print with unlimited access to online archives, podcasts, and , positioning the organization to broaden reach beyond traditional readership. As a nonprofit entity under World News Group, these initiatives rely on donor and subscriber support to fund resource redeployment, such as editorial reallocations from frequent but slimmer issues to fewer, more robust ones. Challenges persist in sustaining this model amid broader industry pressures, including from free online content and the need to combat subscriber churn in a fragmented media environment where biblically conservative outlets face marginalization by algorithm-driven platforms favoring mainstream narratives. Operational hurdles include balancing print production costs with digital innovation, as evidenced by explicit calls for financial backing to realize the doubled scope of the monthly edition without compromising journalistic independence. Internal debates on resource prioritization, such as editor transitions in late 2024, underscore efforts to adapt while upholding empirical rigor over ideological conformity.

References

  1. https://wng.org/articles/his-fathers-world-1707268503
  2. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/02/obit-joel-belz-world-founder-christian-journalism/
  3. https://wng.org/
  4. https://wng.org/about-world
  5. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/14/business/media/joel-belz-dead.html
  6. https://wng.org/articles/well-done-good-and-faithful-servant-1704495586
  7. https://wji.world/about/a-brief-history-of-wji
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