Tempe, Ariz., May 8, 2023 — ECPA will continue its annual free ECPA member summer webinar series by presenting three webinars on three Fridays in June, July, and August at 10 am central for its members.
In addition to the three summer sessions, a fourth webinar is being planned for later in the year with Skot Welch, founder/president of Global Bridgebuilders and author of the upcoming book, “Unfractured” (Baker) on A Christ-Centered Action Plan for Cultural Change. He will be joined by members of the ECPA DEI Committee to discuss organizational change and resources. Information and registration for that webinar is forthcoming.
Registration is now open for the three summer ECPA FOCUS programs:
Friday, June 9 | Redefining the Publishers’ Role in the Digital Age
The digital revolution has transformed the publishing industry in ways far beyond simply a “print book versus digital book” paradigm. Most important of all, it has transformed the broader information and communication environment, creating new challenges and new opportunities for publishers as they seek to redefine their role in the digital age. ECPA president Jeff Crosby will be in conversation with sociologist and University of Cambridge professor emeritus Dr. John Thompson, author of “Merchants of Culture: Publishing in the 21st Century” and “Book Wars: The Digital Revolution in Publishing,” to shed light on our challenges and opportunities. REGISTER
Friday, July 14 | Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and Christian Publishing
Generative AI technology has ushered in a new period of disruption in our society, raising new ethical, political, and legal dilemmas. Join ethicist Jason Thacker, author of The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity for a wide ranging conversation with B&H publisher Devin Maddox on topics related to the intersection of generative AI technology and publishing. REGISTER
Friday, August 11 | A Nonprofit Law Primer for Publishers
Key Topics for Ministries and Publishers Doing Business with Nonprofits: The IRS may not be front-of-mind when acquiring or editing a well-known pastor’s or ministry leader’s next book, but aspects of almost all resources published by ECPA houses are regulated by laws governing nonprofits. Ministry publishers must stay up to speed with these laws as they direct board governance, annual Form 990 filings, fundraising, and other daily operations. Meanwhile, for-profit publishers regularly sign agreements with pastors and their churches, often raising questions of private inurement and private benefit, excess benefits, conflicts of interest, who owns copyright to a sermon or video recording, and proper royalty income reporting. And all religious organizations, for- and non-profit, face increasing scrutiny concerning their freedom to make decisions based on sincerely held religious beliefs. Brian Flagler, managing partner of Flagler Law Group, will frame a series of common publishing scenarios for our guest Jonathan McCants, who has regularly advised Christian ministries and for-profits in the areas of non-profit law and governance for over 20 years. REGISTER
Registrants will have access to the recordings of the sessions they sign up for. The series is sponsored by ECPA’s discount partners, who provide ECPA members with discounted business solutions. More information and registration is at ECPA.org/page/focuswebinars/.
The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. For more information about ECPA: info@ecpa.org ECPA.org @ECPA
Media Contact: Jeff Crosby, ECPA president & CEO, jcrosby@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998
