Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

OCT. 13: GOD’S WILL AND MY WILL

By Jerry Price
Retired Pastor, Spring Hill

Sunday School Lesson Bible Studies For LifeFocal Passage: Romans 11:33-12:2; Eph. 1:4-6

I really like two college football teams. I’ll not name them. I’ll leave you free to guess. I mention that because every game begins with a coin toss. One of the team captains gets to pick which side he thinks will land face up. The head referee then tosses the coin in the air. If the coin lands with the side up that the captain called, he gets to choose whether to receive the ball first or defer to the second half. The other team then gets to decide which goal they will defend.

Whether a regular coin is used or one specially made for the occasion, each side is different, being inscribed with different symbols. While each side is different, they are the same coin. [Read more…]

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GOVERNOR’S CALL TO PRAYER DRAWS BAPTIST LEADERS’ SUPPORT

By Diana Chandler
Baptist Press

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has asked the state to join him and his wife Maria in an official day of prayer and fasting Oct. 10.
-Facebook video screen capture

NASHVILLE (BP) — Southern Baptists across Tennessee told Baptist Press they support Gov. Bill Lee’s plea for the state to fast and pray Thursday (Oct. 10).

Tennessee Baptist Mission Board President Randy Davis, Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President Ronnie Floyd, Tennessee pastor and former SBC President Steve Gaines and others told BP it’s beneficial for governmental officials to invite citizens to pray and fast.

“Christ followers need to join our governor’s call to set aside Oct. 10 as a day of fasting and prayer,” Davis told BP. “I call on Tennessee Baptists to lead in covering our beloved state in prayer.” [Read more…]

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WHEN A TOY IS NOT A TOY

Before it Hits the PressThe world is getting crazier by the day.

When I was a kid, toys were a luxury. You usually received them on Christmas and birthdays. Now, kids get toys year-round, mainly from grandparents who spoil their grandkids (and I confess that I am among that number). Shame on us.

But one toy my grandkids won’t be receiving is the new gender-fluid Creatable World doll from Mattel (see BP story). Barbie, Hot Wheels and countless other toys have worked well for Mattel for years. The long-time toy company certainly didn’t need to join the gender debate. [Read more…]

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TENNESCENE: WEEKS OF SEP. 25-OCT. 7

CHURCHES

Brush Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Brush Creek, will hold revival services Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Roc Collins of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board staff will serve as guest evangelist and the Nesbitt Family will lead worship.

Shiloh Baptist Church, Nashville, will host a tent revival Sept. 29-Oct. 2, beginning at 6:33 p.m. each night. Featured speakers include John Keller (Sept. 29), Steve Hayes (Sept. 30), Ken Clayton (Oct. 1) and John Green (Oct. 2). For more information, visit myshilohbaptist.org.

Oak Hill Baptist Church, Crossville, observed its 80th anniversary on Sept. 15. Rebecca Foster, who has served as choir director for 10 years, was recognized for her ministry. Pastor Jim Mersereau delivered the homecoming message.

Tampico Baptist Church, Rutledge, celebrated its 90th anniversary on Sept. 15.

LEADERS

Ron Runyon is the new pastor of Little River Fellowship in Maryville. He previously served the church as associate pastor.

Kenneth Martin has accepted the call as pastor of East Walland Baptist Church, Walland.

Salem Baptist Church, Greenback, recently called Jason Sweeton as pastor.

Piney Level Baptist Church, Maryville, has called Mike Boring as pastor. He had been serving as interim pastor.

McConnell Baptist Church, Martin, has called Cody Barnam as pastor.

Chuck Graham has been called as pastor of Willingham Memorial Baptist Church, Ridgely.

Bethel Baptist Church, Troy, has called J.R. Dunn as pastor.

John David Shanks was ordained on Aug. 11 as the new pastor of Beulah Baptist Church, Kingsport.

Andy Sherrill recently resigned as associate pastor of New Life Baptist Church, Collinwood, to bcome pastor of Providence Gospel Church in Sheffield, Ala.

EDUCATION

Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City, was recently cited by the Princeton Review as being among the “Best in the Southeast” for 2020 in recognition of excellence in academics and student feedback on the university’s on-campus experience.

  • The first graduation ceremony was held recently for Robertson County Baptist Association’s Hispanic Baptist Center for Theological Training. Five students obtained their Certificate of Biblical Studies after completing the required six courses during the last three years. Graduates, from left, are Arturo Trejo, Virginia Trejo, Basilio Sierra, Alejandra Martinez and Luis Martinez.
  • A group from Alpha Baptist Association joined a group of men from Faith Baptist Church in Linden to assist them in the completion of their new facility which was dedicated on Sept. 22. Volunteers included, from left, Felix Gomez, Michael Howell, Alex Howell, Jimmy Andrews, Jerry McDonald, Steve Clark, Jason Reich, Randy Boutwell, Jimmy Hardin, James Parham (director of missions), and Forrest Boutwell. Not pictured was Jeff Rosson.
  • The Noah’s Ark Widows Ministry celebrated its ninth anniversary Sept. 7 at Ethridge First Baptist Church. The group has grown to 104 members. They invite all area widows to join them from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month. The group is preparing for its annual “Baby Tent” at the Middle Tennessee District Fair. They host a clean area for parents and grandparents to feed and change their babies. For more information about the ministry, contact co-founders Diane Hildenbrandt at 931-215-5996 or Debbie Griffin at 931-242-6102.
  • Senior adults from First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, recently brought their Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions to present to Roc Collins, left, of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board staff, and Vickie Anderson, right, back row, executive director of Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union. From left are Lynda Ryan, Minnie Hicks, Lois Mullett, Robbie Barkley, Becky Maney, Roger Ghrigsby, Joyce Kendrick, Shirley Meeks, Edna Burleson and Eileen Hollans.
  • Pastor David Mackens leads the dedication service for the new facilities of Lone Oak Baptist Church, Cunningham, on Aug. 18. The church recently outgrew its location in Cumberland Furnace and constructed a new sanctuary/multi-purpose building this year. The new 19,200-square-foot building doubled the church’s space. The new location is on Highway 48, the primary road between Dickson and Clarksville. Mackens said about 15,000-17,000 cars pass the church on a daily basis.
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FROM CHURCH-HOUSE TO NEIGHBORHOOD-HOUSE

By Justin Mullins
Young Families Pastor, Collierville First Baptist Church

Children enjoy a Backyard Kids Club provided by Collierville First Baptist Church.

A few years ago, our church, Collierville First Baptist Church, decided to take a closer look at who we were reaching through our annual Vacation Bible School. While our numbers were strong, we were surprised to discover that only four percent of the children who attended were unchurched.

We put all our resources, volunteers and effort into a huge program that consisted of 96 percent of the children attending our church or another church in the area. So, we began to pray and ask the Lord for a new and exciting opportunity to reach new families with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We defined the success of this program by how many unchurched families we could reach. [Read more…]

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CARSON-NEWMAN, TBMB TEAM UP TO RALLY FOR CHRIST

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

Roc Collins

JEFFERSON CITY — As they prepared for the East Tennessee Rally for Christ at Carson-Newman, the leadership team at the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board said they wanted the event to have a two-pronged purpose: To ignite the believers and offer hope to the spiritually lost.

By the time the rally came to a close, it was clear that both objectives had been met: The saints were stirred and the lost were found.

The rally, held at Holt Fieldhouse on the C-N campus on the night of Sept. 8, drew more than 900 attendees, who were treated to a night of praise, worship and encouragement. The evening also featured several life-changing decisions, including three professions of faith, three commitments to baptism and one rededication. [Read more…]

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COMING IN STRONG

Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City recently welcomed its largest freshmen class in history — 557 students. They are included in Carson-Newman’s highest enrollment in its 168-year history — 2,725 students. The enrollment also includes a record graduate class of 885 students. Since 2010, C-N has seen a 40 percent increase in total enrollment. In the photo above, C-N president Charles A. Fowler and his wife, Sandra, front center, along with faculty and staff, led the freshmen and their families on a prayerwalk through the campus on Aug. 24.
— Photo submitted by Carson-Newman University

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SERMON OR SOLILOQUY? THOUGHTS ABOUT PREACHING

By Larry Robertson
Pastor, Hilldale Baptist Church, Clarksville

Larry Robertson

I love to hear Shakespeare filtered through the story-telling flair of Andy Griffith. In his rendition of Romeo and Juliet, he paused to explain the meaning of a soliloquy. He said, “A soliloquy is where you kinda look a way off and kinda talk to yourself. They used to do that a whole lot back then …”

Honestly — and I’m a little embarrassed to admit this to you — I learned the meaning of soliloquy from Andy Griffith. But, hey, I’ve never forgotten it!

As a preacher, I need to ask myself every time I preach whether I’m giving a sermon or a soliloquy. Am I talking to someone or to no one? Do I envision an audience on the other end of my words or do I “kinda look a way off and kinda talk to” myself? [Read more…]

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VICTORY FORMATION

C-N football program sees 10 players make professions

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

Carson-Newman volunteer kickers and punters coach Alan Duncan and team chaplain Marty Blakely baptized 10 players from the Carson-Newman football team in Mossy Creek following football camp.

JEFFERSON CITY —  Big decisions are often made at football camp. Who is going to be the starting tailback? What scheme is the new defensive coordinator going to install?  Is the kick returner going to be used at wide receiver?

Important choices, for sure. Choices that can ultimately determine a team’s success.

And yet, those types of decisions aren’t nearly as significant as the decisions that were made at Carson-Newman’s football camp this summer. These were life-changing — and eternity-altering — decisions. [Read more…]

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ARE WEDNESDAY CHURCH SERVICES STILL RELEVANT?

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Baptist Press recently ran an article from LifeWay Research on whether or not Protestant churches still hold Wednesday night services.

And, they do. In fact, the number is a lot higher than I imagined — nine out of 10 Protestant pastors say their church has some type of service on Wednesday nights, according to the survey. Only 10 percent have no regular events on Wednesday.

Given the fact that some churches no longer have Sunday night services, I am a bit surprised (pleasantly) by the large number of churches that open their doors on Wednesday night. [Read more…]

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