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Counseling homosexuals involves ‘speaking truth in love,’ leaders say

October 16, 2015

By Andrew J.W. Smith
SBTS News Office

A record 2,300 attendees gathered on Southern Seminary’s campus for the annual ACBC conference Oct. 5-7.
– SBTS photo by Emil Handke

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Christian counselors should be able to speak lovingly and winsomely to people struggling with homosexual attraction, said evangelical leaders at the Oct. 5-7 homosexuality conference at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

The conference, titled “Homosexuality: Compassion, Care, and Counseling for Struggling People,” was sponsored by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).

“The integrity of our message is at stake in this, brothers and sisters. If we believe that the Bible teaches homosexuality to be a sin, and if we believe that Jesus Christ changes people, but we don’t know how to help them, then … we will make a mockery of the Word of God,” said Heath Lambert, executive director of ACBC and associate professor of biblical counseling at Southern Seminary and Boyce College. “If we don’t know how to lay hold of the grace of Jesus, we will slander the Word of God and the grace of Jesus.”

Using Ephesians 4:15 as his text, Lambert argued believers should pay close attention to the way Christ himself modeled “speaking the truth in love,” because without him they will speak truth without love. Any help Christians want to give should be motivated by genuine love for homosexuals, Lambert said, which does not apologize for biblical standards. The Bible has not changed, and neither should the convictions of believers, he said. [Read more…]

Layman Comes to Aid of Fellow Veterans

October 13, 2015

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Pastor Jonathan Curry, right, pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church, Shelbyville, helps church member Robert Woolbright load toiletry items collected by church members for his ministry to veterans at the VA hospital in Murfreesboro. Woolbright is a Vietnam veteran.

SHELBYVILLE — A few years ago Air Force veteran Robert Woolbright had to spend three days in intensive care at the Veterans Administration hospital in Murfreesboro.

After being moved to his room, Woolbright discovered the room had no personal hygiene items such as toothpaste or shampoo. The only thing in the bathroom was a dispenser with liquid soap.

Woolbright learned during his stay there that the hospital had only a certain allotment of hygiene items and if they were used up, the hospital staff had to wait on the next allotment.

Woolbright called his wife who had gone home to rest and asked her to bring enough items for himself and the rest of his floor at the VA hospital. [Read more…]

Tennessee Baptist DR to Help S.C. Flood Victims

October 8, 2015

Wes Jones

STORY UPDATED UPDATED 10/12/15

MOUNT JULIET —Three Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief have responded to the historic flooding in South Carolina, reported Wes Jones, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief specialist.

Though Tennessee is not in the region organized by Southern Baptist Disaster Relief to be the first responders to disasters in South Carolina, Tennessee was asked for help by North Carolina Baptist Disaster Relief, explained Jones. North Carolina Baptist DR is leading efforts in the northeast part of South Carolina, he explained.

“It’s important to help our sister states when they need us whether we’re in the region or not,” said Jones. [Read more…]

Security for Missions Volunteers

October 7, 2015

By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector

More dangerous world requires travelers to be ‘wise as serpents,’ says security expert

John Tallman, left, of Fort Sherman Academy visits during a break of the conference with, from left, Al Nickel of Thompson’s Station Baptist Church, Thompsons Station; Ron Wilson of Magna View Baptist Church, Talbott, who also is a Jefferson County deputy sheriff; Scott Johnson, pastor, Lantana Road Baptist Church, Crossville; and David Carothers, pastor of missions and discipleship, First Baptist Church, Jackson.

MOUNT JULIET — Missions volunteers and missionaries must be as wise as serpents as they travel, advised John Tallman of a personal protection training company which trains missionaries for the Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board and missions volunteers of Baptist state conventions.

Tallman led “Faith-focused Travel Security” for the Tennessee Baptist Convention Sept. 17. The event was held at the Missions Mobilization Center of the TBC in Mount Juliet. [Read more…]

Executive Board Adopts Budget

September 23, 2015

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Elects new officers, approves Church Support Center design

Steve Freeman, left, pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Springfield was elected chair of the TBC Executive Board for 2016 while Mike Sams, pastor of First Baptist Church, Martin, was elected chair-elect.

BRENTWOOD — Members of the Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention approved for recommendation to the messengers of the TBC annual meeting a budget of $34,250,000 for 2015-16. [Read more…]

IMB Announces Budget Shortfall; 600 to 800 Positions to Be Eliminated

August 27, 2015

By IMB Staff

Editor’s Note: For additional information, see Frequently Asked Questions released by the IMB following this article.

RICHMOND —International Mission Board leaders have outlined a plan to address IMB’s revenue shortfalls and complete a reset of the organization in order to move forward into the future with innovative vision, wise stewardship and high accountability. [Read more…]

Would You Pay You What You Pay Your Pastor?

August 25, 2015

By Randy C. Davis
TBC Executive Director

New Hope Baptist Church in Leakesville, Miss., knew they were overpaying their 20-year-old preacher. He knew it too. At $125 a week, neither was real sure of what they were getting into. However, those sweet people were patient, kind, nurturing, and at every turn looked for ways to take care of their preacher boy and his new bride. For instance, there was the Christmas they gave his wife an oak coffee table and matching end tables, and gave him a Remington 1100 vent ribbed shotgun. Why? Just to tell that young couple, “We love you and appreciate you and your ministry to us.” [Read more…]

God & Assisted Suicide: What’s the Answer?

July 29, 2015

Assisted suicide legislation is being introduced in a number of states during this session. Interest in the practice becoming law is on the rise across America.

By Randy C. Davis
TBC executive director

The scenario plays itself out thousands of times a day. A family member or friend is racked with a terminal illness, suffering unbearably, and the question comes up: Should they have the right to physician assisted suicide?

That question gained prominence 20-plus years ago with Dr. Jack Kevorkian being brought to trial for helping approximately 130 people end their lives. Right to die activists are back in the news with 84-year-old John Jay Hooker, a lawyer and former Tennessee democratic gubernatorial candidate who is suffering with terminal cancer, leading the charge. He is demanding that a state court declare he has a right to end his life on his terms. In truth what he’s looking for is an accomplice to share in the responsibility of his death. [Read more…]

Aug. 2: Glimpse of the Throne

July 28, 2015

Troy Styer
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Grand Junction

Focal Passage: Revelation 4:1-11

John knew his readers were suffering during difficult times, and he showed them a glimpse of pure worship in Revelation 4. This worship reminded them that God was in control as the rest of the visions unfolded in the book of Revelation.

“After this” introduces us to a new vision that John is about to experience and reveal to his readers. John has mentioned the trumpet previously, so we know the voice is Jesus. Once again John reiterates the certainty that this will take place by the phrase “what must take place.” Verse 2 tells us that John was in the Spirit meaning he was gifted to see spiritually what would not be visible physically. What John witnessed is worship of God in its purest form. [Read more…]

Aug. 2: Return to Prayer

July 28, 2015

By Randy Harmon
Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier

Focal Passage: Nehemiah 1:3-10

Someone has said, “You can do a lot of things after you pray, but you shouldn’t do anything before you pray.” There are no short cuts to prayer and there is no replacement for the relationship that is built with God as we commune with Him in prayer.

Nehemiah was a man of prayer who understood the power of prayer. While in exile, serving a Persian king, Nehemiah learned of the desolate condition of the Jews and of the wall in Jerusalem.

He had sensed God leading him to go to Jerusalem to lead a reconstruction project. One major obstacle to this task was that Nehemiah was the servant of king Artaxerxes. In Nehemiah 1:5-11, Nehemiah prays for an open door with the king. [Read more…]

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