Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

DOES GOD DECIDE, CARE WHO WINS THE SUPER BOWL?

Baptist Press

160203-super-bowlNASHVILLE, Tenn. – An old gospel hymn says God’s eye is on the sparrow, but what about panthers and broncos? Not the ones from Carolina and Denver matched up for the National Football League’s Super Bowl 50, according to a new survey from LifeWay Research.

The poll found most Americans are skeptical about divine intervention on the football field. They say God doesn’t determine who wins or loses. And most believe God has bigger things to be concerned about.

“The Bible says God sets up and takes down nations and rulers,” said Scott McConnell, vice president of LifeWay Research. “Either Americans do not agree, or they think God focuses on political leaders rather than cultural sports icons.” [Read more…]

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FBC, NASHVILLE, SELLS 1.3 ACRES FOR $20 MILLION

Baptist and Reflector

First Baptist Church Nashville panoramaNASHVILLE – First Baptist Church, Nashville, has announced the sale of a portion of the church campus (1.3 acres of its downtown property) to a developer for $20 million. The church will continue to occupy the remaining 6.3 acre site which the church owns on Broadway and Seventh Avenue S.

According to The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville, the sale price equates to about $353 a square foot and is believed to be the highest amount ever paid for development land in the city. [Read more…]

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FORMER TBCH PRESIDENT GERALD STOW DIES

Baptist and Reflector

Gerald Stow stands outside the main offices of the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes in Brentwood in 2014. The retired president of TBCH celebrated 30 years of ministry with the institution in 2014. Stow died Jan. 29 at the age of 82.

Gerald Stow stands outside the main offices of the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes in Brentwood in 2014. The retired president of TBCH celebrated 30 years of ministry with the institution in 2014. Stow died Jan. 29 at the age of 82.

BRENTWOOD – Gerald Stow, retired president of the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home, died Jan. 29 after a lengthy illness. He was 82.

Stow led the Brentwood-based TBCH from 1984-99. After his retirement he continued to serve as an “ambassador” for the Tennessee Baptist Convention institution. He was a member of Brentwood Baptist Church.

A native of Dresden County, Stow served two Tennessee Baptist churches as pastor before becoming president of TBCH – South Fulton Baptist Church, South Fulton, and First Baptist Church, Cookeville. [Read more…]

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FORMER PASTORS REPORT LACK OF SUPPORT LED TO ABANDONING PASTORATE

By Lisa Cannon Green
LifeWay News Office

160201left-pastorateNASHVILLE, Tenn. – No sabbatical. No help with counseling. No clear picture of what’s expected.

Hundreds of former senior pastors say these were the crucial elements missing from the final churches they led before quitting the pastorate.

A recent study by LifeWay Research points to ways churches can encourage pastors to stay in the ministry, said Ed Stetzer, Executive Director of the Nashville-based research organization. [Read more…]

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TENNESSEANS SUPPORT MINISTRY IN INDIA

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Fellowshipping at the recent Summit held in November at First Baptist Church, Millington, were from left, David Mackens, Sue Evans, Dwight Dickson, Bro. Vee, and Tony Evans of MVN. — Photo by Corinne Williams

Fellowshipping at the recent Summit held in November at First Baptist Church, Millington, were from left, David Mackens, Sue Evans, Dwight Dickson, Bro. Vee, and Tony Evans of MVN. — Photo by Corinne Williams

CLARKSVILLE — Baptists in Cumberland Baptist Association, headquartered in Clarksville, know they can travel to minister in India only on occasions.

For ministry to be effective there, it is imperative that Christians with a heart for their lost countrymen are trained to be missionaries to plant churches in the remote villages of India.

Thus, Mission Voice Network Ministries in India was formed in the United States to raise prayer and financial support for the suffering missionaries there. The Clarksville-based ministry is comprised of primarily Tennessee Baptists from area churches. [Read more…]

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ASSOCIATION’S TEENAGERS SERVE ON SCHOOL BREAK

By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Rhett Heinemeyer, left, of Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Halls, uses a post hole digger with direction from Harold McDonald of the church. They are helping build a ramp onto the house of a church member despite frigid temperatures Jan. 18 as part of the Jerusalem Project of Dyer Baptist Association, based in Dyersburg. — Photo by Connie Davis Bushey

Rhett Heinemeyer, left, of Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Halls, uses a post hole digger with direction from Harold McDonald of the church. They are helping build a ramp onto the house of a church member despite frigid temperatures Jan. 18 as part of the Jerusalem Project of Dyer Baptist Association, based in Dyersburg. — Photo by Connie Davis Bushey

DYER COUNTY — Instead of resting, catching up on their homework, or working some extra hours at their part-time jobs on their day off from school last week for Martin Luther King Day, about 220 teens here conducted service projects and considered God. They were participating in the 12th annual Jerusalem Project of Dyer Baptist Association.

“I see a sea of students who gave up a day off from school to worship God and serve others,” said Alisha Moody, youth leader of the association, at the launch activities of Jerusalem Project which were held on Sunday, Jan. 17. Moody also is Baptist Collegiate Ministries director of Dyersburg State Community College, based in Dyersburg.

One result of the event was that seven youth made professions of faith after hearing Chuck Johnson speak. Sunday afternoon and evening sessions were held at Hillcrest Baptist Church, Dyersburg. Johnson is associate minister to youth, First Baptist Church, Martin. Also leading a session was John Yates, a ventriloquist who is a minister at First Baptist Church, Yazoo City, Miss. Thirteen churches participated. [Read more…]

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ADOPTION PICTURE OF SALVATION, PARENTS SAY

By Diana Chandler
Baptist Press

Nathan and Jennifer Washburn with children Owen RenLi and Kara Victoria.

Nathan and Jennifer Washburn with children Owen RenLi and Kara Victoria.

GREENBRIER — Nathan and Jennifer Washburn rank parenting among their greatest joys, but a desire to have children was not their main motivation in adopting.

Instead, the couple who married in 2004 point to spiritual value as their main motivation for their 2010 adoption from Kazakhstan of Kara Victoria Washburn, now 5, and, in 2014 from China, Owen RenLi Washburn, 3.

“It was primarily a theological motivation to adopt,” Nathan Washburn, pastor of First Baptist Church, Greenbrier, told Baptist Press. “It’s such a great picture of our spiritual adoption in Christ.”

As Southern Baptists observed Jan. 17 as Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, which was placed on the convention calendar in 1988, Washburn describes adoption as a practical application of honoring the value God has ordained in all of human life.

“Although there are different circumstances in life and different stages of life, there’s not a spectrum to God’s image in people,” Washburn said. “Every person bears His image and bears it in its fullness. There’s really no difference.” [Read more…]

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STUDY: AMERICANS SHARE CONFLICTING VIEWS ON SPORTS GAMBLING

By Lisa Cannon Green
LifeWay Research

160125sports2NASHVILLE (BP) — Wagering on sports isn’t morally wrong, most Americans say — but nearly half think it should be illegal anyway, a newly-released study shows.

And as millions nationwide manage their fantasy sports rosters, Americans straddle the fence on whether heavily advertised daily games by companies such as FanDuel Inc. and DraftKings Inc. should be banned.

A study released today (Jan. 22) from LifeWay Research shows widespread belief that sports gambling is morally acceptable. Nearly two-thirds of Americans disagree that it’s morally wrong to bet on sports. The results are from a survey conducted this past September.

Yet 49 percent think sports betting shouldn’t be legalized nationwide, while 40 percent say it should be. Eleven percent of Americans aren’t sure. [Read more…]

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UNION TO HOST WEST TENNESSEE EVANGELISM RALLY FEB. 21

Union University News Office

Union University CampusJACKSON — Ernest Easley recently looked through a file folder from 1984 where he came across an old leadership magazine published by Texas Baptists.

“On every page there was something about evangelism, outreach, training, and rallies,” said Easley, professor of evangelism at Union University. “I don’t read much emphasis anymore on evangelism. I don’t see our state conventions and our national convention fanning the flame of evangelism like they once did.”

That’s one reason why Easley, in partnership with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, helped to organize the West Tennessee Evangelism Rally that will be held Feb. 21 on the Union campus. The event is for pastors, staff members, church members, students and anyone else interested in evangelism. [Read more…]

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CHURCH IMPRESSES FORMER MISSIONARY

By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Eric Thoman, pastor, Etter Baptist Church, Byrdstown, sits in the sanctuary of the church.

Eric Thoman, pastor, Etter Baptist Church, Byrdstown, sits in the sanctuary of the church.

BYRDSTOWN — When Eric Thoman (pronounced Toh-mahn) came to Etter Baptist Church here about four years ago, he was glad to be called as pastor of a church which was so supportive of Southern Baptist efforts. He was a North American Mission Board missionary in Ohio for seven years who was downsized because of restructuring by the Southern Baptist Convention agency.

Since then, Thoman has continually been impressed with Etter Baptist and its generosity, especially toward missions.

“It’s nothing I did or anything. This church is strong in missions and I just encourage them.” [Read more…]

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