Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

BCM STUDENTS USE FALL BREAK TO MINISTER

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Nick Fontenot, left, and Caleb Stephens of Tennessee Tech work to remove a kitchen countertop from a home in Walker, La.

Nick Fontenot, left, and Caleb Stephens of Tennessee Tech work to remove a kitchen countertop from a home in Walker, La.

BATON ROUGE, La. — Nearly 70 Baptist Collegiate Ministries students from three Tennessee campuses (University of Tennessee-Knoxville; Belmont University, Nashville; and Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville) used their fall break to help flood victims in Louisiana.

In addition, a team from Walters State Community College in Morristown did disaster relief work in West Virginia.

The Tennessee college students did mudout in homes in the greater Baton Rouge area following heavy flooding in the state in August. [Read more…]

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2016 ELECTION: IS NOT VOTING AN OPTION?

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

dont-vote-buttons-symbolBRENTWOOD — Former Tennessee Baptist pastor Kenyn Cureton has heard numerous concerns expressed about not having a viable option to vote for in the upcoming presidential election on Nov. 8.

In his current role as vice president for church ministries with the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C., Cureton has been asked his opinion of the upcoming presidential election multiple times. Often, he is asked if Christians should consider not voting in the 2016 election because of a dissatisfaction with the two primary candidates — Hillary Clinton (Democrat) and Donald Trump (Republican). [Read more…]

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DENVER’S BEAUTY, SPIRITUAL NEED SEEN BY NAMB TRUSTEES

Mike Ebert
Executive Dir. of Public Relations, NAMB

"What could God do with the North American Mission Board? What could God do with the Southern Baptist Convention if we would realize that the primary thing we are to do before we do anything else is pray?" SBC President Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., challenged North American Mission Board trustees as they met in Denver Oct. 4-5. Photo by Hayley Catt/NAMB

“What could God do with the North American Mission Board? What could God do with the Southern Baptist Convention if we would realize that the primary thing we are to do before we do anything else is pray?” SBC President Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., challenged North American Mission Board trustees as they met in Denver Oct. 4-5. Photo by Hayley Catt/NAMB

DENVER (BP) — Set against a backdrop of freshly snow-capped mountains on the front range of Colorado’s Rockies, North American Mission Board trustees saw firsthand how Southern Baptist church planters are countering spiritual darkness in the midst of a recreational paradise.

On the Monday before their Oct. 4-5 meeting, trustees loaded onto buses to visit church planters at their places of ministry. One, Kevin Hasenack, is planting Calvary Church Denver in one of the most diverse communities in the area. [Read more…]

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EC MEDIA POLICY INCLUDES SOCIAL MEDIA

Baptist Press

social-media-balloons-handsNASHVILLE — The Executive Committee has voted to update its media policy, prompted by the proliferation and ease of use of social media.

In addition to news media, the policy now encompasses any individuals in attendance at EC meetings, including Executive Committee members themselves.

The new policy received a unanimous vote Sept. 20 during the EC’s two-day meeting in Nashville. [Read more…]

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DR TEAM SENT TO FLORIDA; OTHERS WILL BE NEEDED IN HURRICANE’S AFTERMATH

Baptist and Reflector

Photo: NOAA.gov

Photo: NOAA.gov

BRENTWOOD — Tennessee Baptists have been asked to respond in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.

Hurricane Matthew struck Haiti on Oct. 4, causing massive destruction before hitting Cuba later that night. The damage in Cuba was not as extensive as first expected but some areas were hard hit.

In Haiti, at least 478 deaths have been attributed to the massive storm and the number is expected to rise. [Read more…]

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TBC MINISTERS’ SALARIES ABOVE AVERAGE

Baptist and Reflector

Office and Custodial Personnel: Compensation = Salary (Part-time salary is calibrated to reflect 50 weeks per year at median number of hours: 18) Pay Package* = Salary + Retirement Benefits Paid by the Church + Insurance Paid by the Church *The Employer portion of Social Security is not included in the figure for Pay Package. The study assumes that the church pays the Employer portion of Social Security for these employees. Ministerial Personnel (Non-Ordained Ministers): Compensation = Salary (Part-time salary is calibrated to reflect 50 weeks per year at median number of hours: 10) Pay Package** = Salary + Retirement Benefits Paid by the Church + Insurance Paid by the Church **The Employer portion of Social Security is not included in the figure for Pay Package. The study assumes that the church pays the Employer portion of Social Security for these employees. Ministerial Personnel (Ordained Ministers): Compensation = Salary + Housing Allowance + Fair Rental Value of Church-owned Housing + Utilities for Church-owned Housing (Part-time salary is calibrated to reflect 50 weeks per year at median number of hours: 20) Pay Package*** = Salary + Housing Allowance + Fair Rental Value of Church-owned Housing + Utilities on Church-owned Housing + Social Security Equivalent + Retirement Benefits Paid by the Church + Insurance Paid by the Church ***While the Social Security Equivalent could be included with compensation since it is taxable, the Compensation Study has chosen for a number of years to treat the Social Security Equivalent as a benefit so as to be consistent with the general treatment of Social Security for non-ministers. It is suggested the church pay the same percentage for Social Security for the minister that they would pay for a non-minister. Thus it should be budgeted and classified the same way as the regular FICA employer Social Security for non-ministers. The only difference for ministers is that it does become taxable. This study assumes all ministry-related expenses are paid by the church using an accountable reimbursement plan and are NOT INCLUDED in the “Pay Package.” These include travel expense; expenses for conventions and continuing education; expenses for ministry-related books and periodicals; and ministry-related hospitality expenses. Amounts paid to cover these ministry-related expenses are IN ADDITION TO the above amounts. Report Date: 9/26/2016

Office and Custodial Personnel:
Compensation = Salary (Part-time salary is calibrated to reflect 50 weeks per year at median number of hours: 18)
Pay Package* = Salary + Retirement Benefits Paid by the Church + Insurance Paid by the Church
*The Employer portion of Social Security is not included in the figure for Pay Package. The study assumes that the church pays the Employer portion of Social Security for these employees.Ministerial Personnel (Non-Ordained Ministers):
Compensation = Salary (Part-time salary is calibrated to reflect 50 weeks per year at median number of hours: 10)
Pay Package** = Salary + Retirement Benefits Paid by the Church + Insurance Paid by the Church
**The Employer portion of Social Security is not included in the figure for Pay Package. The study assumes that the church pays the Employer portion of Social Security for these employees.
Ministerial Personnel (Ordained Ministers):

Compensation = Salary + Housing Allowance + Fair Rental Value of Church-owned Housing + Utilities for Church-owned Housing (Part-time salary is calibrated to reflect 50 weeks per year at median number of hours: 20)
Pay Package*** = Salary + Housing Allowance + Fair Rental Value of Church-owned Housing + Utilities on Church-owned Housing + Social Security Equivalent + Retirement Benefits Paid by the Church + Insurance Paid by the Church
***While the Social Security Equivalent could be included with compensation since it is taxable, the Compensation Study has chosen for a number of years to treat the Social Security Equivalent as a benefit so as to be consistent with the general treatment of Social Security for non-ministers. It is suggested the church pay the same percentage for Social Security for the minister that they would pay for a non-minister. Thus it should be budgeted and classified the same way as the regular FICA employer Social Security for non-ministers. The only difference for ministers is that it does become taxable.

This study assumes all ministry-related expenses are paid by the church using an accountable reimbursement plan and are NOT INCLUDED in the “Pay Package.” These include travel expense; expenses for conventions and continuing education; expenses for ministry-related books and periodicals; and ministry-related hospitality expenses. Amounts paid to cover these ministry-related expenses are IN ADDITION TO the above amounts.

Report Date: 9/26/2016

BRENTWOOD — The average compensation (salary and housing) and pay packages for senior pastors and staff ministers in Tennessee Baptist Convention churches exceeds the national average in most categories.

The 2016 SBC Church Compensation Study, a joint project of state Baptist conventions, GuideStone Financial Resources, and LifeWay Christian Resources, was released in early September. The biannual study collects compensation and congregational data anonymously from ministers and office/custodial personnel of SBC churches and missions. [Read more…]

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RALLY ANSWER TO PRAYER: STUDENTS

By Connie Davis Bushey
News Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (recently changed to Fellowship of Christian Anybody) of South-Doyle High School, Knoxville, pause before the Any One rally held there Sept. 23. They are, from left, first row, Paul Brooks, Olivia Snapp, and Debbie Lay, sponsor; back row, Ray Anderson, Nate Wilkerson, Luke Fall, and Noah Wilkerson.

Members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (recently changed to Fellowship of Christian Anybody) of South-Doyle High School, Knoxville, pause before the Any One rally held there Sept. 23. They are, from left, first row, Paul Brooks, Olivia Snapp, and Debbie Lay, sponsor; back row, Ray Anderson, Nate Wilkerson, Luke Fall, and Noah Wilkerson.

KNOXVILLE — The fifth quarter “Any One” event held at South-Doyle High School here after its Sept. 23 football game drew students to the band field of the campus as they filed out of the stadium.

Teens gathered under bright lights donated by a construction company to hear music and a disc jockey (D.J.), eat hot dogs, and hang out. Musicians led worship, and then Robbie Robison, evangelist of Nashville, spoke. [Read more…]

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‘CATASTROPHIC’ HURRICANE TO HIT HAITI

Baptist and Reflector

Image: NOAA.gov

Image: NOAA.gov

NASHVILLE — The Weather Channel is predicting that Hurricane Matthew will have a “catastrophic” effect on Haiti. The hurricane, which is predicted to make landfall on Oct. 4, also is expected to impact Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas, according to the weather network.

In addition, the hurricane is anticipated to strike the East Coast of the United States between Florida and Virginia.

If the dire predictions pan out, southern Haiti could receive up to 40 inches of rain. Western Haiti and eastern Cuba could get up to 20 inches of rain. The heavy rain could cause flash flooding and mudslides. [Read more…]

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CITY REACH TO IMPACT METRO COMMUNITIES

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

cityreach_knoxvilleBRENTWOOD — Reaching Tennessee for Christ will involve reaching the largest metropolitan areas in the state, according to leaders within the Tennessee Baptist Convention.

To help accomplish that goal, City Reach will be launched during this year’s Summit Nov. 13-17 at the Sevierville Convention Center, pending approval from messengers at Summit. City Reach was approved by members of the TBC Executive Board during their Sept. 14 meeting at Brentwood Baptist Church. [Read more…]

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NASHVILLE LIGHTENS UP ON MARIJUANA PENALTIES

By Diana Chandler
Baptist Press

marijuanaNASHVILLE (BP) — Nashville and surrounding Davidson County have joined a lengthy list of governments giving law enforcement officials the option of issuing civil citations to persons possessing small amounts of marijuana.

Marijuana possession and use in the city and county are still considered crimes. But under the new measure passed Sept. 20 by the Nashville Metropolitan Council, law enforcement officials may choose whether to charge a person with a civil offense or a criminal misdemeanor for knowingly possessing a half-ounce of marijuana or less. [Read more…]

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