Articles

Columbia Seminary Student Develops Ministry to Journalists

Faith And The City
April 5, 2002

As the tragic death of foreign correspondent Daniel Pearl reminds the world, journalists often face great personal risk. In addition, they must cope with the stress of reporting news of armed conflicts, natural disasters, and other dangerous events. Even journalists who never work outside their hometowns may report on local developments that place them in harm's way, as well as tragedies that devastate human lives. And, of course, there are the familiar workday issues like short deadlines, long hours, and extended separation from loved ones, challenges that journalists share with many other professionals. Clearly, journalists have particular professional needs, says Dorie Griggs, a graduating senior in the master of divinity program at Columbia Theological Seminary. That is why she is developing a ministry to journalists.

"The life of a journalist can be isolating," Griggs explained. "Covering news events can test one's moral and ethical convictions. And because journalists' schedules often conflict with traditional worship times, many of them wrestle privately with questions of faith."

Griggs, 42, draws on her experience working with journalists in various volunteer and staff assignments over the years, mostly in sports information. She has served, for example, with the Atlanta Sports Council as vice chair of press operations for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, with the Richmond Braves Baseball Club in promotions, and with the Georgia Tech sports information office as a press box volunteer, a 16-year relationship. Since last fall, however, Griggs has served in a new capacity with Tech--as chaplain to the athletic department and to journalists who cover the school's athletic events. Her assignment meets the academic requirements of Columbia and the ordination requirements of the Presbyterian Church, USA, Griggs' denomination. This ministry to journalists, which was Griggs' idea, is the first of its kind at Columbia.

Griggs has been pleased with the level of support and encouragement that she has encountered. "Journalists warmly receive me when I am introduced as their chaplain," said Griggs, adding that she is awed by the opportunities for ministries in this area. Journalists sometimes speak very frankly to her about the horrors they witnessed before being assigned to sports. "Sometimes the Holy Spirit just blows into the room and reminds me what a privilege it is to be there at that moment for someone in need and to feel God working through you."

Although a ministry to journalists may be unique, the goal of Griggs' service is quite traditional. "My call is to create a bridge for people who have fallen away from regularly practicing their faith, or who are wrestling with issues of faith and are not sure where to turn." According to Griggs, her call to serve came early and has worked often worked through her lifelong interest in sports administration. In high school, she served as statistician for the boy's basketball team and had her first opportunity to work with the news media. Later, as a student at the University of Richmond, she managed the men's basketball team.

Today, she looks back at such experiences and recognizes how God has worked through her life's decisions to prepare her for the place where she now serves. Even her seven-year stint as director of marketing at Simpsonwood Conference and Retreat Center, a United Methodist Church facility in Norcross, provided valuable background for her role as a chaplain to journalists. As a Presbyterian at Simpsonwood, Griggs worked with a range of staff and guests, including Methodists and people from other denominations. The experience nurtured her understanding and appreciation for the vast diversity of faith traditions interwoven through the fabric of American society. "I am a Presbyterian," she explained, "but I will serve as a chaplain to members of any faith tradition--Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Baha'i, and others."

After graduating in May, Griggs plans to pursue her ministry to journalists full-time and currently is exploring possible affiliations with several downtown churches. "I intend to develop a three-year pilot ministry and a ministry support team," she said. "The support team will serve as a guiding coalition and possibly as the ministry's board of directors in the future."

Whatever shape Griggs' calling takes, she is confident of the need for ministry to journalists and the authenticity of her call. "Much of the ministry and mission work in the early church was done one-on-one, much like the work of chaplains today," said Griggs, referring to Mark 18:20: "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." (NRSV)

For more information on Dorie Griggs' ministry, contact her by email at dorie@stanleyleary.com.

For more information on Columbia Theological Seminary, visit http://www.CTSnet.edu/Home/MainPage.htm.