Chronicle thanks Lynn and Joy McMillon for decades of devotion
In 22 years with The Christian Chronicle, Lynn McMillon has…
Honoring Lynn and Joy McMillon
The Christian Chronicle says thank you for 23 years of service and dedication to Christian journalism.
OKLAHOMA CITY — If you don’t know, Lynn and Joy McMillon don’t enjoy being in the spotlight.
In fact, Lynn (as he’s told me to call him) tried to convince us it was OK to cancel a special ceremony that The Christian Chronicle’s board had planned for him as he retires as president and CEO. The good news is, he’ll keep on teaching Bible at Oklahoma Christian University.
When I told him I would be interviewing him and his wife as part of the ceremony, he made sure I knew I had his full permission to cut the talk short to keep guests from getting bored.
They didn’t, I assure you.
Lynn and Joy McMillon reflect on their years with the Chronicle during an interview with digital news editor Chellie Ison.
It was a big night, full of emotion, as the Chronicle’s current and former staffers gathered with our trustees and numerous friends and family members to honor Lynn for 23 years of service to Christian journalism. He steps down May 31.
Related: Chronicle thanks Lynn and Joy McMillon for decades of devotion
There were plenty of laughs as Lynn and Joy joined me on stage for the interview, recalling the ups and downs of getting the paper to press each month. Joy has served this publication for many years in a variety or roles, including managing editor.
Lynn, a longtime professor and former Bible college dean at Oklahoma Christian, began his official involvement with the newspaper back in 1996.
As he recalled, the times were much different. The Chronicle was deeply in debt. It took a lot of hard work, but he turned the publication around, paying off more than $880,000 and building an endowment fund to help ensure the Chronicle’s future.
The evening was full of surprises for the McMillons.
Following the interview, presentations of plaques were made by our board chairman, Deon Fair, and Oklahoma Christian’s board chairman, Mark Brewer.
It was an exciting moment when Oklahoma Christian President John deSteiguer asked the McMillons to remove the cloth from an easel placed at center stage. Underneath was a large plaque dedicating a conference room on the campus, near the Chronicle offices, to the McMillons. They graciously accepted the honor, and Lynn took the microphone to say thanks.
Oklahoma Christian President John deSteiguer hugs Joy McMillon after announcing that a conference room on campus will bear the McMillon name.
But there was more to come.
Mike O’Neal, a member of the Chronicle board, announced the formation of the Lynn and Joy McMillon Endowment, a campaign designed to make sure the Chronicle continues serving as a newspaper for Churches of Christ for years to come.
“The trustees are determined that The Christian Chronicle continue to faithfully serve the Churches of Christ until the Lord comes again,” O’Neal said.
It was a great night. While Lynn and Joy were pretty speechless by the end, their son Jeff came up to me and said that while he knows his parents hate the spotlight, he was grateful we all pushed ahead and took the time to do something so special for them both — despite their resistance.
Lynn and Joy McMillon are joined by their children and grandchildren after an evening of celebrations.
If you’d like to contribute to the Lynn and Joy McMillon Endowment in honor of Lynn’s retirement, you can do so online through the “Lynn and Joy McMillon Endowment” form at christianchronicle.org/donate. Or call Lynda Sheehan in our office at (405) 425-5070. You also can mail a check to The Christian Chronicle, P.O. Box 11000, Oklahoma City, OK 73136-1100, earmarked for the McMillon Endowment.
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