Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
By Aaron Earls
LifeWay Research
In many congregations in the United States, new faces in the pews have become rare.
A new study from Exponential by LifeWay Research found 6 in 10 Protestant churches are plateaued or declining in attendance and more than half saw fewer than 10 people become new Christians in the past 12 months.
“Growth is not absent from American churches,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research. “But rapid growth through conversions is uncommon.”
Editor’s Note: The following is an open letter from Tennessee Baptist Mission Board president and executive director Randy C. Davis.
Dear Tennessee Baptists,
Every personality profile evaluation I have ever taken identifies a particular character trait that is confirmed by my wife, family, friends, everyone I’ve worked with and by everyone for whom I’ve served as their pastor. I am a “bottom line” kind of man.
The Lord has taught me how to temper that trait with patience and grace when appropriate; but to employ that trait when needed. Unfortunately, we live in “bottom line” days, and I am embracing my bottom line self. [Read more…]
By Tobin Perry
Baptist Press
Several teams of Crossover volunteers gather for final preparations before venturing out across Phoenix to share the Gospel prior to the 2017 SBC annual meeting. This year’s Crossover outreach is slated for June 8 in Birmingham, Ala. BP file photo
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — As Southern Baptists from across the country make plans for the SBC annual meeting in June, they’re also preparing to engage more than 20,000 homes with the Gospel through Crossover activities.
The North American Mission Board and Alabama State Board of Missions will mobilize 400 teams of volunteers to knock on 20,000 doors in the metro Birmingham area on Saturday, June 8, the weekend before the SBC annual meeting. [Read more…]
By Kendall Christian
WMU news office
Tennessee WMU WorldCrafts advocates are, from left, Anna Huggins, Charlyene Couey, Rhonda Poore and Bobby Turner
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — WorldCrafts, the fair trade division of national WMU, develops sustainable, fair-trade businesses among impoverished people around the world. Its vision is to offer an income with dignity and the hope of everlasting life to every person on earth.
Tennessee WMU desires to offer churches and small groups the opportunity to discover how they can get involved in missions through the ministry of WorldCrafts. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
FRANKLIN — Ever since the first Vacation Bible School was held in New York City in 1898, the program has reached thousands upon thousands of children with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Despite its record of success, some churches view VBS as an outdated tool of evangelism and are “abandoning one of the best conduits for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with future generations,” observed Vicki Hulsey, childhood specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. [Read more…]
Baptist and Reflector
MOUNT JULIET — Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief flood recovery teams will be needed en masse in the weeks ahead, according to Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
Teams are already at work in Knoxville, which was hit hard by flooding almost two weeks ago. An incident command center has been set up at Glenwood Baptist Church in Knoxville, Jones said.
By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org
FRANKLIN — When addressing church leaders on the keys to making their facilities safe and secure, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board risk management specialist Mark LeMay often uses an old TV advertisement as a reference point.
“You remember the Fram oil filters commercials where the mechanic says ‘you can pay me now or you can pay me later,’ ” said LeMay during a recent safety seminar. “Well, that applies to church safety. It’s amazing how spending some money up front can save you from spending thousands of dollars down the road.” [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
FRANKLIN — Sexual abuse instances, as reported by The Houston Chronicle in February, “needed a bright light to be shined on it,” said Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
In his monthly podcast reflecting on what happened in convention life the previous month (Episode 25 of Radio B&R), Davis said the silver lining of the horrible news is that it has made churches more aware of the issue and that it needs to be addressed.
“I think the fact that any child is abused anywhere, under any circumstances, should grieve us all to the very core,” Davis said. “I think it is hellish. I think it is demonic. I think that the predator who does this kind of deed is going to attempt to go wherever there are children, including churches,” he noted.
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
FRANKLIN — Jesus kept evangelism simple. Just read Matthew 28:19-20.
But apparently, a new generation is not getting the message of the Great Commission as found in Scripture.
A Barna survey, “Reviving Evangelism,” released in early February, reveals that Christian Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996) are “conflicted” when it comes to evangelism with almost half of them believing it is wrong to share their faith. [Read more…]
By Carol Pipes
Lifeway director of corporate communications
Brad Waggoner
NASHVILLE — LifeWay Christian Resources board chairman Jimmy Scroggins announced today that trustees have asked Executive Vice President Brad Waggoner to serve as acting president and CEO of LifeWay until a new president is named.
Waggoner will serve in the role previously held by Thom S. Rainer who announced his retirement in August 2018. [Read more…]
