Opinion Column Archives - Baptist & Reflector

WHERE ARE TODAY’S STATESMEN?

November 26, 2021

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

During Summit, Chris Turner, the TBMB’s director of communications, and I were having a conversation with TBC president Bruce Chesser and vice president Chuck Groover. The issue of statesmen and statesmanship in the Southern Baptist Convention came up. The general consensus was we have few if any. What a shame.

When I think of Baptist statesmen in my era, the names Hershel Hobbs, James Sullivan, Adrian Rogers, Jimmy Draper, Arthur L. Walker and Keith Parks immediately come to mind, just to name a few.

Though used primarily to describe political leaders, the word basically means “wise, skilled and respected leader” and that can apply to the religious world as well.

As we talked about the SBC, no names immediately came to the forefront, at least for me. In Tennessee, however, it is a different story. We do have statesmen and I consider both Chesser and Groover to be in that category. Both have been strong, effective leaders in the TBC for many years. Chesser was incredible as he navigated the annual meeting with humor and wisdom. There was a great spirit of unity, even with some potentially divisive topics. I believe that was achieved primarily because of the leadership he provided. [Read more…]

IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS

November 25, 2021

By David Dawson
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

Mike and Jolene Dawson, the writer’s parents.

Most of you reading these words have met my dad, Mike Dawson, a retired Baptist preacher.

I know this because a recent Gallop poll revealed that 81 percent of earth’s population has met my dad, and 71 percent of those surveyed said that they classify him “as a close friend.”

Okay, I made that up. But the truth is, you can’t go anywhere with my dad — be it a restaurant, a church function, a barber shop, a cornfield in Nebraska — without someone stopping him to to say “Hello, Bro. Mike!” and to thank him for “doing their wedding” in 1989.

My dad retired from the ministry in 2004, but that’s a poor usage of the word “retired.” He is still very much involved in ministry work — doing transitional interims, writing Sunday School lessons for the B&R, running a prayer “hotline” from his home office, doing funerals, weddings, the works. [Read more…]

REFLECTING ON OUR ANNUAL MEETING

November 24, 2021

Randy C. Davis

By Randy C. Davis
President and executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

It was so good to see you all.

I mentioned in a letter to our Tennessee Baptist Mission Board staff shortly after Summit 2021 ended that I thought that our convention was the best national or state convention I’ve attended in 45 years of ministry.

That’s a strong statement and I realize my perspective may be skewed by us not gathering for two years as the people and churches who make up the Tennessee Baptist Convention. But I believe we were ready to enjoy a spirit of unity and a dose of encouragement as we live in the sea of negativity around us.

However, I primarily believe God’s hand was on our gathering and graciously blessed our time together. [Read more…]

CONSIDER RENOVATING YOUR PRAYER CLOSET

November 17, 2021

By Clay Gilbreath
Director of missions, Big Hatchie Baptist Association, Covington

Have you ever had a home that needed renovation? Maybe you bought a fixer-upper, or like me, perhaps you have lived in your current home long enough that it now has several updates or refreshes that need to be done. It’s just a matter of time before things need an update or repair. Full transparency here: I think the beige walls from when we built our home 17 years ago are just fine — it’s actually my wife Lana who thinks it’s time to renovate!

But of all the honey-dos, repairs and fix-ups that she has on my list, there’s one area of our home that Lana has yet to mention that could really use an update: our closets. When we built years ago, the closets were the rooms with basic white paint, standard trim and no decorations. Now these are the rooms with the most scuffs and dings and, to be honest, probably the least attractive spaces in our house.

For most of us with ongoing home renewal and renovation, I believe the closets may not get much attention even though they could very well be the rooms in our homes that have the most need for updating. [Read more…]

SUMMIT BRINGS TBC FAMILY TOGETHER AGAIN

November 12, 2021

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

What a difference a year makes.

Last year, The Summit – The Gathering of Tennessee Baptists, which includes the annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention – was canceled due to concerns created by COVID-19.

A year later, the pandemic is still with us, but perhaps, we have learned better to function within it. Some people still wear masks, some do not. Some folks have been fully vaccinated while others have chosen not to get the shots.

So far, for the most part, we can make the decision that best meets our needs and beliefs.

When we gather at Brentwood Baptist Church, beginning on Nov. 14 for the evening service typically billed as a Tennessee Baptist Reunion, I encourage us to be accepting of each other.

Some may wear masks; others will not. Allow each person to do what is best for him or her. We don’t know what health conditions others may have or whether they are being cautious to protect someone they love. We need to give each other the freedom that we want others to give us.

With that said, the annual meeting will give many Tennessee Baptists an opportunity to visit with old friends and perhaps make new ones. [Read more…]

HONORED TO SERVE

November 9, 2021

By Bruce G. Chesser
President, Tennessee Baptist Convention, 2020-2021
Pastor, First Baptist Church of Hendersonville

Bruce Chesser

For the past two years it has been my honor to serve as the president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. As your president, I have had the opportunity to travel from Memphis to Johnson City and from Millington to Chattanooga and all points in between. I can tell you that God is blessing the work of Tennessee Baptists all across this state.

I have had the opportunity to visit many of our associations and to speak to many groups. I have represented you at meetings of Carson Newman University, Union University, the Kings Academy, the Tennessee Baptist Foundation, the Tennessee Baptist Adult Homes, the Tennessee Baptist Childrens Home, and the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. I can tell you that good things are happening, and God is blessing. [Read more…]

FORWARD TOGETHER: MORE THAN A THEME

November 8, 2021

By Randy C. Davis
President and executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

I love a scoreboard. And a target. And a destiny.

I want to know where I am going, how I’ll get there and when I’ll arrive. I’m wired that way. I admit I can be a bit obsessed with what’s coming next. A flaw? Maybe, and I have learned to “enjoy the moment.” However, that has not delivered me from the need to look down the road.

I always want to be moving forward.

That’s my hope for Tennessee Baptists and our great network of churches called the Tennessee Baptist Convention. We’ll gather next week at Brentwood Baptist Church for Summit 2021 under the theme developed by the TBC Arrangements Committee: “Forward Together, With One Heart.”

The theme implies both the powerful work of God to unify our hearts around His purpose in His power, and that together we will make a resolute decision to “expect great things from God, attempt great things for God” (William Carey). [Read more…]

LIVING IN OUR WORLD OF ADVERSITY

November 5, 2021

By Johnnie C. Godwin
Contributing columnist, B&R

We live in a world of “adversity.” The word “adversity” came into English by 1340 to mean “turned against.” A dictionary definition defines the word as “a state, condition, or instance of serious or continued difficulty — or adverse fortune.” (Merriam-Webster, Collegiate, 11th edition).

My own definition would be that it is anything that bothers or hurts you or your family, church, or society. I don’t need to give examples of adversity; rather, it’s enough just to mention COVID-19. So I’ll share with you some actual vignettes of adversity. And in all instances of this condition, I would point you to Christ. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (see John 16:33, KJV).

Sources of adversity? When I was a young pastor in Texas, one of our older deacons looked like he was mad at me during every sermon I preached. But when he and I were alone, he was friendly and even gave us a pot roast one time. During one business meeting, I learned the deacon wasn’t mad at me. [Read more…]

OLD PATHS, NOT POPULAR ONES

November 3, 2021

By Todd E. Brady
Vice president for University ministries, Union University, Jackson

The Deseret News and the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy at Brigham Young University recently revealed their findings from the 2021 American Family Survey. This survey seeks to shed light on Americans’ experiences in relationships, marriage and families and how those experiences relate to current events and public policy.

Seven years ago, the same survey revealed that 12 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that marriage is “old fashioned and out-of-date.” This year, 19 percent see marriage as old fashioned and out-of-date.

Those conducting the survey said “There is reason to believe that people are slightly growing less attached to marriage as an institution. Though we would not want to imply that marriage is in trouble as an institution, there is slight erosion in its popularity.” [Read more…]

THE SBC’S NEHEMIAH MOMENT

October 28, 2021

By Randy C. Davis
President & executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

The Southern Baptist Convention is facing a Nehemiah moment.

Put your sandals on and let’s take a walk through the rubble known as Jerusalem. Nehemiah wasn’t a preacher, or evangelist or any other type of vocational minister. He was a godly layman who heard the distant city was in ruins and the effort to rebuild the walls and reestablish the Jewish center of life was stalled. There appeared to be no hope that the nation of Israel would return to prominence and be the testimony to God’s greatness that the Lord had called it to be.

Nehemiah was broken hearted. He was crushed, and he wore his devastated spirit on his sleeve. The Babylonian king noticed and through Nehemiah’s humility, repentance, boldness, faith and determination, God used him to restore the nation. [Read more…]

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