Article Protocol for Contributors

Thank you for your consideration to submit an article to HurstTexasStake.org. Here you will find general protocols and specifications to keep our content consistent around our goal to bring our community closer to Christ. The Hurst Texas Stake Website is moderated by members of the editorial team and each article submission may be edited for length, readability (grammar, typos, etc.).

If you plan to submit an article please click here to notify the editorial team of your idea.

News article content ideas:

  • Recaps of stake or ward events

  • First-person, faith promoting experiences 

  • Stories of service

  • Testimonies that speak of Christ

  • Impactful stories as a result of doing family history

Helpful Tips

  • Please consider submitting at least 1-2 photos to go with each article submission (details below).

  • Please don’t “design” the article and don’t provide images via your document. Send images separately.

General Tone

Much of the content on the Stake website should be inclusive and outward facing to non-members. 
As members of the church we often use “church-speak” or jargon that would otherwise be unfamiliar to a lay audience. The words and photos we use on the website should avoid (as best as possible) terminology that we use only within the church.

When church jargon can’t be avoided, here are some simple solutions:

  • Briefly explain the term

  • Include the common term in parentheses: 
    John Smith who is the Bishop (Pastor) of the Hurst Ward (congregation)

  • Include a hyperlink to a simple definition on the Church’s website

Photos

Every article needs a good photo (or more), it’s what helps to pull readers in and contributes to the storytelling. But there are some requirements that must meet:

Legal Releases

Release Forms
A release form for photographs, videos, etc. of adults and children are needed when photographs/videos are not taken in a public setting. Participant Release form here. 

Public Release
When an image is taken in a public setting for reporting purposes, a release form is not necessary. But notifying the group of your intentions is good practice. Here is a deeper explanation and crowd release form.

Note: taking photos inside a church building does not necessarily constitute a “public” setting.

Format for Images and Graphics

Please DO

  • provide original image in the largest file size possible (separate from the document)

  • where applicable, name each person in the photo (first and last name, left to right)

  • when possible, name/credit the photographer or the person providing the image

  • use properly licensed images

  • provide completed Participant Release forms when applicable

Please DO NOT

  • send images embedded in a document

  • provide a smaller version than the original

  • use an image that is pixelated or blurry at viewing size

  • use an image with watermarks, or any image that has not been legally licensed 

  • stretch or squish an image