News Archives - Page 2 of 213 - Baptist & Reflector

PUT THE GOSPEL ABOVE ALL

July 24, 2020

There are many issues facing pastors like myself these days. I have talked to several friends in ministry who are struggling with fulfilling their calling in a rapidly changing environment. The coronavirus has laid bare many spiritual realities in our congregations and has reshaped the way in which we “do church,” perhaps permanently.

The pandemic has also deepened some of the divisions that have come between us as a family of faith, particularly along political lines. I was already dreading this election season before the virus hit, knowing that our enemy would love to drive as large a wedge between Christians as possible. One of his greatest tactics in his war against the Church is “divide and conquer.” [Read more…]

UNION HOLDS FIRM TO UNIVERSITY STANDARDS AND VALUES

July 23, 2020

Baptist and Reflector

JACKSON — Union University, a Christian educational institution affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, is receiving both criticism and support for holding true to its Christian convictions and values.

The Jackson Sun and other media outlets reported July 23 that Union had rescinded an admissions offer to a graduate-level nursing student after learning of the student’s sexual orientation.

Alex Duron told the Jackson paper he was to begin the three-year nursing program on July 27 but received a letter nine days prior to the start of classes that his enrollment had been rescinded, the paper reported. [Read more…]

PANDEMIC HAS FORCED MISSIONARIES, CHURCHES TO ADAPT

July 23, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

FRANKLIN — “Flexible” has always been the watchword for mission volunteers no matter whether they were preparing for an international trip, a trip to another state or a mission project just down the road.

In a world turned upside down by the COVID-19 virus, the ability to be flexible and to adopt new approaches is more important than ever before, according to a group of mission leaders on a webinar — Missions in COVID Days — held July 7 and sponsored by the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

The webinar was intended to help Tennessee Baptist churches find creative ways to be involved in missions while dealing with challenges caused by the pandemic, said Bill Choate, collegiate ministries director for the TBMB and host of the webinar. [Read more…]

LEADERS URGE CAUTION, COMMITMENT TO MISSIONS

July 23, 2020

By Leslie Peacock Caldwell
IMB News Office

Through Send Relief, Southern Baptists have helped more than 900,000 people worldwide affected by the coronavirus.

RICHMOND — International Mission Board senior leaders are urging Southern Baptists to use extreme caution if they are considering overseas missions travel for the remainder of 2020.

As many countries continue to require quarantines or have not yet opened their borders, travelers could face unexpected circumstances, including quarantines upon re-entering the U.S. The future threat and spread of COVID-19 also remains an unknown factor.

The IMB decision also impacts volunteer missions through the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. [Read more…]

BELLEVUE FACES CIVIL LAWSUIT

July 22, 2020

Baptist Press

Bellevue Baptist Church
-Bellevue.org

CORDOVA — Parents of a teenage girl who was sexually abused by a former part-time employee of Bellevue Baptist Church are suing the church. The suit alleges negligence in allowing James Hook “complete discretion and freedom to have personal and private encounters with volunteers and minors.”

Hook, who was employed on Sunday mornings as the church’s preschool wing coordinator from January 2017-March 2019, pleaded guilty in January to sexual assault by an authority figure. He had been arrested in May 2019 after police found him and the girl, 16, underneath a blanket in the back of his car in a local park. He was sentenced to six months in jail and four-and-a-half years probation. [Read more…]

TBMB FORGES AHEAD WITH PLANS FOR SUMMIT

July 22, 2020

Baptist and Reflector

FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Mission Board leaders are continuing to plan for The Summit to be held Nov. 8-11 at Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood.

The Summit is the annual gathering of Tennessee Baptists and includes the Pastors Conference, the annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention and everything in between.

“We’re excited about plans for Summit 2020 and at this point we are forging ahead with plans to gather as we normally do,” said Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

“At this time there is much uncertainty, but it is also impossible to predict what the climate will be in November related to COVID-19,” Davis continued. [Read more…]

CALIFORNIA CHURCHES ORDERED TO CANCEL INDOOR WORSHIP SERVICES

July 22, 2020

Baptist Press

Southridge Church in San Jose welcomes guests during July 5 worship, held at Calvary Chapel San Jose. Southridge pastor Micaiah Irmla does not intend to comply with California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new order forbidding indoor worship in at least 30 counties.
-Photo from Facebook

FRESNO, Calif. — Many California Southern Baptist pastors will likely find ways to continue to worship while obeying Gov. Gavin Newsom’s July 13 order forbidding indoor worship once again.

“I think our churches are committed to doing what needs to be done to keep in contact with their members,” said Terry Barone, communications team leader for the California Southern Baptist Convention. “We would have to say that we’re not happy about the decision.” [Read more…]

TENNESCENE: JUL. 22

July 21, 2020

LEADERS

James Raffety

Central Baptist Church, Oak Ridge, called James R. Raffety of Owasso, Okla., as senior pastor, effective July 1. He was called to full-time ministry in 1995 and has 16 years of Christian service as a youth minister, singles minister, houseparent and as a senior pastor.

Daniel McKenzie was called June 14 to serve as discipleship pastor at First Baptist Church, Manchester. He will begin on Aug. 2. Also, at First Baptist, Cyndi Cox, director of Christian education, is retiring after 22 years on staff. [Read more…]

‘GOD NEVER WASTES A HURT’

July 21, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

COLLIERVILLE — As the world stands divided over where facemasks should be worn to help prevent the coronavirus, it’s not an issue for Mark LaGrone.

It’s not even up to debate for the 60-year-old LaGrone, who serves as the discipleship/assimilation pastor at First Baptist Church, Collierville.

LaGrone’s resolve for the need to wear a face covering while the world is still dealing with the coronavirus is based on that he knows firsthand what it is like to live with the disease. [Read more…]

FEDERAL APPEALS COURT ALLOWS MCRANEY LAWSUIT AGAINST NAMB TO PROCEED

July 20, 2020

By Will Hall
Baptist Message executive editor

NEW ORLEANS — On July 16, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals gave Will McRaney, former executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, a procedural victory in his lawsuit against the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention “for intentional interference with business relationships, defamation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.”

The BCMD is an independent state organization of Baptist churches and the NAMB is a ministry arm of the SBC, an independent national organization of Baptist churches. The BCMD and SBC are considered in good fellowship with one another, but each is an autonomous organization. [Read more…]

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