Widening the story: The Outlook partners with FāVS News
The Presbyterian Outlook is partnering with FāVS News to strengthen independent journalism and broaden our coverage of the church in the Pacific Northwest.
By Teri McDowell Ott | The Presbyterian Outlook
The Presbyterian Outlook is expanding its independent reporting through a new partnership with FāVS News, an award-winning nonprofit newsroom covering religion and ethics in the Pacific Northwest. Together, we’ll bring Outlook readers more deeply reported stories, fresh voices and new perspectives on what God is doing in Presbyterian communities across the Pacific Northwest.
We are especially excited about this partnership because the Pacific Northwest is a region the Outlook has wanted to cover more fully.
Presbyterians across the Northwest are experimenting with innovative forms of ministry in a region often described as secular. Their experiences offer valuable insight into what faithful ministry can look like in an increasingly secular and religiously diverse culture.
These stories deserve more attention. National religious conversations can easily become concentrated around familiar institutions, population centers and regions. But the church is wider than the stories that receive the most attention. We need reporting that helps us understand the distinctive cultures, challenges and possibilities shaping faith communities across the country.
This partnership allows the Outlook to expand its coverage with the help of journalists who know the region well. Together, we can connect local reporting with the wider Presbyterian conversation, helping readers better understand both the unique character of the Pacific Northwest and the broader trends shaping the church today.
FāVS News began in 2012 as Spokane Faith and Values, a gathering place for nonsectarian reporting on religion in the Spokane area. Today, the organization serves as a regional religion news wire, with 29 reporters and 40 columnists covering faith, ethics, politics, culture and community life. Its work appears in newspapers, public radio outlets and national religion publications.
FāVS journalists understand the Pacific Northwest because they live and work there. They know its communities, histories, relationships and tensions. They recognize when a local story reflects a larger shift in American religious life, and they can see the significance of developments that an outside reporter might overlook. That kind of regional knowledge is invaluable.
The Outlook and FāVS News are distinct publications with different editorial focuses. But we recognize in one another a shared calling.
Both organizations believe independent journalism can build community, encourage understanding and help people navigate complicated issues without reducing them to slogans or partisan talking points. At a time when so much media rewards outrage and oversimplification, we remain committed to reporting that is trustworthy, thoughtful and deeply rooted in the communities we serve.
We hope this partnership gives Outlook readers a richer understanding of the church’s life in the Pacific Northwest and reminds us all that the Holy Spirit is at work in places we may know little about. When we widen the circle of voices we hear, we deepen our understanding of God’s work in the world.
Partnerships like this one are possible because readers believe independent Presbyterian journalism matters. Thank you for making this work possible. We can’t wait to share these stories with you.
Get a sense of how this new partnership will expand our coverage and catch up on all the FāVS News articles we’ve published so far.
FāVS News uses professional journalists and thoughtful commentary to explore faith, values and ethics. Support journalism like this by making a tax-deductible donation. FāVS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. © FāVS News. All rights reserved. Reproduction permitted only to authorized media partners or with written permission.
