Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

2023 SBC MEETING: COLLINS, OTHER PASTORS EXAMINE JOY, MOURNING

By Meredith Flynn
The Baptist Paper

Roc Collins, strategic objectives director for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, gives one of several messages during the Pastors’ Conference in New Orleans. — Photo by Sam Evans / The Baptist Paper

NEW ORLEANS — Roc Collins, strategic objectives director for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, said the source of joy for Christians should never be in question.  

“Joy is the overflowing expression of the Lord Jesus living in us,” said Collins while addressing attendees at the 2023 SBC Pastors’ Conference. “When the Holy Spirit sets up residence in our lives, joy is what is produced.”

Collins was among the speakers during the opening session of the 2023 Southern Baptist Pastors Conference on Sunday night, June 11. The conference focused on the Beatitudes that Jesus preached about in the Sermon on the Mount.  [Read more…]

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2023 SBC MEETING: PASTORS CONFERENCE UPDATES FUNDRAISING

By Meredith Flynn
The Baptist Paper

Daniel Dickard, president of the 2023 Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference, speaks Sunday night in New Orleans. — Photo by Sam Evans / The Baptist Paper

— The officers of the 2023 Southern Baptist Pastors Conference have partnered with the Southern Baptist Foundation to create an endowment that will allow the event to fund itself in the future, said Daniel Dickard, president of this year’s Pastors Conference.

Dickard, pastor of Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina, spoke briefly about the endowment between messages at the conference in New Orleans. A video explaining the fund is also posted at sbcpc.net/endowment.

Currently, Pastors Conference officers are required to raise the funds needed to put on the event each year. [Read more…]

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C-N STUDENTS PARTNER WITH TBC CHURCHES

By Carson-Newman news office

Rhyan Baker, a Carson-Newman University student, made friends with students at a school in Rio Dulce.

JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University students and staff teamed up with members of True Life Church, Jefferson City, and Blue Springs Baptist Church, Rutledge, on a recent mission trip to Honduras. 

The 14-member team helped spread the gospel and love of Christ May 6-13 through the areas of Rio Dulce, Tegucigalpa, Trujillo and Tocoa Colon.

 Carson-Newman University’s Uliset Alexander said the experience is one that will leave a lasting impression. [Read more…]

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YOUTH-LED REVIVAL HAVING POWERFUL IMPACT

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Pastor Justin Smith of First Baptist Church, Weber City, Va., on stage, counsels students as others gather to pray at the altar during a a youth-led revival at First Baptist Church, Weber City, Va.

WEBER CITY, Va. — A Tennessee Baptist church on the Virginia side of the Tennessee state line discovered recently that good things happen when you “pray first and let God lead.”

“Pray first” was the theme of a series of messages by pastor Justin Smith of First Baptist Church, Weber City, Va., near the end of February into early March. First Baptist, Weber City, is affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Youth pastor Aaron Noe preached a similar message to the youth on Wednesday nights.

After Noe’s first message on Wednesday night, Walker Hillman, a member of the youth group, announced that God was calling him into the ministry. [Read more…]

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MISSION:DIGNITY SUNDAY SET FOR JUNE 25

By Susan Ervien
Baptist Press

DALLAS — In the Old Testament, these words are found in Psalm 92:14-15a (CSB): “They will still bear fruit in old age, healthy and green, to declare, ‘The Lord is just.’ ”

On June 25, Southern Baptists have the opportunity to honor righteous, unsung heroes of the faith — namely, retirement-aged Southern Baptist pastors, workers and their widows who served and abundantly blessed those in their care during their years of ministry. 

Many of these heroes still serve in whatever capacity they can — by volunteering at church, preaching, leading Bible studies (in-person and online!), lifting up intercessory prayers and in many other ways. [Read more…]

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BURTON: GOD IS AT WORK AT ALL NATIONS CAMP

By Baptist and Reflector

More than 20 children have made professions of faith this week during the first three days of All Nations Camp at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center. 

“The Lord has been at work,” said William Burton, ethnic church planting specialist and new churches team leader for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. “We’re praying that God will continue to move in the hearts and lives of the (300-plus) campers that are registered here at All Nations Camp.” 

The camp includes children from 11 different nations.

See the video below for a special message from Burton. 

 

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CHAPLAIN’S MISSION FIELD HAS MANY TWISTS

By David Dawson
Communications specialist, TBMB

Dollywood chaplain Joey Buck leads a worship service at the Robert F. Thomas Chapel, located inside Dollywood theme park. Buck, who has served as the full-time chaplain at Dollywood for the past 10 years, said he considers himself a “missionary of the Sevier County Baptist Association.” — Photo by David Dawson

PIGEON FORGE — The backdrop for Joey Buck’s mission field looks quite different from most others. It contains roller coasters, log flumes and funnel cakes.  

And yet, Buck shares the same roles and goals that most ministers have. His aim is to “provide Christlike care and compassion” to those in his harvest area. 

Buck is the chaplain of Dollywood, the popular theme park and resort in Pigeon Forge that ranks among Tennessee’s top tourist attractions. 

As a full-time employee of the park, Buck provides ministry services to employees and guests, including leading a weekly worship service at Robert F. Thomas Chapel. Buck also provides counseling and discipleship, and leads special Christmas services at the historic chapel that is nestled among the park’s thrill rides, restaurants, soundstages and shops (see related sidebar HERE).  [Read more…]

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KNOXVILLE PASTOR SUBMITS SBC RESOLUTION FOR CONSIDERATION

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

KNOXVILLE — Todd Stinnett, senior pastor of Black Oak Heights Baptist Church, Knoxville, has submitted a resolution on women in pastoral ministry to the Resolutions Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Stinnett told the Baptist and Reflector that he submitted his Resolution on Women in Pastoral Ministry for several reasons. “For starters, there is a growing confusion about the role of men and women in the home and in the church. Compounding the issue is that prominent SBC pastors are now ordaining women and encouraging them to exercise teaching authority over men. [Read more…]

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BF&M 2000 TO UNDERGO SCRUTINY AT SBC

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Southern Baptist Convention president Bart Barber, a pastor in Farmersville, Texas, recently announced on a Twitter video that he expects there will be a motion to amend the SBC’s Constitution and Bylaws along with the motion for the newly elected SBC president to appoint a committee to study both the Constitution and Bylaws and the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.

The proposed amendment from Virginia pastor Mike Law would clarify that the SBC only cooperates with churches that do not affirm, appoint or employ a woman as a pastor of any kind. For the amendment to be voted on by messengers at the convention in New Orleans next week, the SBC Executive Committee will need to advance the amendment at its Monday meeting prior to Tuesday’s annual meeting.

If the EC chooses not to advance it, it could also be considered if a new motion is introduced asking the messengers to vote at this year’s annual meeting. For that to happen, messengers would have to approve voting on it at this year’s annual meeting, then subsequently approve the amendment by a two-thirds vote at both this year’s and next year’s annual SBC meetings. [Read more…]

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WHY DO WE HAVE SUCH LITTLE FAITH?

By Clay Hallmark
President, Tennessee Baptist Convention

One of the adventures I love is leading tours of the Holy Land. Seeing God’s Word come alive in people’s lives is something that I really enjoy. Each time I go to Israel, one of my favorite places to go is the boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. 

I seem to always think about that time Jesus came to His disciples walking on the water, and Peter called out to the Lord to walk on the water. Jesus told Peter, “Come!” 

At that point Peter had a decision to make about his faith in the Lord. He had to step out of the boat or sit down in the boat depending on his faith. 

You know it is easy for us to say we believe the Lord, and we put our faith in Him, but it is another thing to step out of the boat and walk on water when He tells us to “Come.”  [Read more…]

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