Opinion Column Archives - Baptist & Reflector

BAD CALL BY THE POPE

October 22, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Pope Francis’ endorsement of same-sex marriages is a blow not only for many Catholics but also for other religions and denominations that continue to fight for the biblical view of marriage.

Though Pope Francis had expressed support for civil unions for gay couples in the past, his endorsement — which was shown during the premier of the documentary “Francesco” on Oct. 21, at the Rome Film Festival — has created a stir.

Because he is the first pope to publicly declare his support, his remarks were labeled “historic” by gay Catholics and supporters of same-sex marriage.

I personally would use the term “appalling.” [Read more…]

PRAY FOR YOUR PASTORS

October 22, 2020

By Ray Van Neste
Dean and professor of Biblical studies for the School of Theology and Missions at Union University, Jackson.

One key way to be involved in the advance of the Kingdom of God is to pray for pastors. This is always the case, but it is even more significant at this time. As the last six months or so have disrupted life for all of us, they have created a host of challenges for pastors.

How do you continue to provide worship and preaching when you cannot meet together? How do you do that with a limited budget for technology or in places where internet connection is spotty or unavailable? How do you help people stay in contact? How do you care for shut-ins or the sick when you are not allowed to visit them or fear your visit might bring them harm? Then, how and when do you restart services, Sunday School, nursery and other functions? With what restrictions, procedures or requirements?

There have been a host of articles just in the recent few months on the rise of pastoral depression and burnout. As I have interacted with pastors across Tennessee, across the country and in South Africa and other countries, the common thread has been frustration and often very deep discouragement. [Read more…]

DR TEAMS PROVIDE ‘A STRIKE FORCE’ OF LOVE

October 21, 2020

By Bob Holeman
Retired journalist, Winnfield, La.

In August, Hurricane Laura dealt havoc to Winn Parish, leaving a tangle of downed trees, damaged homes and a spaghetti mix of wires, broken power poles and transformers that left us without power and in a communication blackout.

Our home got power back after 10 days but it was two weeks before our internet and TV service was restored. We then tuned in to see what damage Laura had wrought but found no coverage of a storm that had devastated Louisiana, for she was then two weeks old. There was scant coverage even of the wildfires that continued to rage along the Pacific west coast.

Instead the media, both left and right, seemed to focus their airtime on the acts of social and racial hatred that boiled over in a number of metro areas. They’d like to hold that this is what America is today: a Republic founded on the Judeo-Christian ethic whose wheels have fallen off after some 250 years; a nation that has turned from God and is so flawed with discrimination that it can’t be fixed. [Read more…]

25 SUGGESTED WAYS TO HONOR YOUR PASTOR

October 20, 2020

Editor’s Note: October is generally recognized as Pastor Appreciation Month, but it can be observed at any time. Let your pastors and church staff know they are appreciated.

By Chuck Lawless
Dean and vice president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C.

This year has been a tough year for pastors and church leaders. The pandemic has changed almost everything we do, but pastors have pivoted quickly and worked hard to make adjustments.

If ever they have earned appreciation, it’s this year. Here are some ways to show your gratitude during this Pastor Appreciation Month: [Read more…]

EVERY DAY SHOULD BE DAY OF PRAYER

October 15, 2020

By James Rogers

A group from West Tennessee attended the national prayer march in Washington , D.C. on Sept. 26. From left are James Rogers, pastor, Oakwood Baptist Church, Milan; Joel Pigg, pastor, Salem Baptist Church, Trenton; Kevin Mullins, pastor, White Hall Baptist Church, Trenton; Bryan Morris, pastor, New Hope Baptist Church, Dyer; Roger Stacey, director of missions, Gibson Baptist Association; and David Powell, pastor of Smyrna Baptist Church, Humboldt

When we first arrived the air hung limp between us without a wind to stir the humidity from the earlier rain. We stood at the Lincoln Memorial with the day neither beautiful nor comfortable.

As the strains of the hymn “This is My Story” sung acapella drifted through those gathered, the morning took on a beauty only His presence could give. That was just the beginning step of the National Day of Prayer for me and five other fellow pastors from the Gibson Baptist Association.

I personally was blessed to then hear prayers from all over our land. Prayers from across all barriers we seem to be divided over. We shared together in the burdens of our nation taking the weight of its needs and sitting it at the foot of the cross. White or black, male or female, young or old, all had one desire; to ask God to intervene, healing all that divides us.

It was humbling and overwhelming to hear fifty thousand people pray at once and then to experience seeing so many pray over the seven places symbolizing different needs. We walked through crowds of people circled in prayer, past individuals on their knees crying out to God, and families together doing the same. [Read more…]

TRUSTEES MAKE A GOOD CALL

October 13, 2020

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

Southern Seminary founding president James P. Boyce

Al Mohler is probably one of the most recognizable Southern Baptist leaders in our convention today. I have known Al for more than three decades, beginning when he was editor of The Christian Index in Georgia.

I can’t say I have always agreed with Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, especially when it comes to Calvinistic views. It’s no secret that Southern Seminary has been a leading proponent of Calvinism.

Be that as it may, that doesn’t mean we can’t agree on some issues. I applaud the stand he and trustees of Southern Seminary took Oct. 12 during their trustee meeting.

Southern Seminary, founded in 1859 in Greenville, S.C., has received pressure in recent months by some Southern Baptists to remove the names of founding president James P. Boyce and founding faculty members John Broadus, Basil Manley Jr., and William Williams from seminary buildings because they all once owned slaves. [Read more…]

HOW MUCH MORE CAN YOU STAND?

October 7, 2020

By Randy C. Davis
TBMB president & executive director

One of the greatest and constant needs of the church since its birth at Pentecost is God-called, Spirit-filled, well-equipped leaders. Are you like me, some days just wondering: How much more can we stand?

Some days it seems our entire culture is wondering the same. How much more can we collectively stand?

Even a half-hearted glance at the news is overwhelming. Culture wars and racial conflict like we’ve not seen in 50 years; political upheaval; riots, lawlessness and constant protests paralyzing many of our nation’s cities; and a lack of social decorum and mutual respect in society but especially within our government.

President Trump and Senator Biden are practically brawling in presidential debates and political anger abounds. Then there are the professional athletes and sport leagues that have become billboards for personal and corporate protests. Of course, there’s also social media, which is often a cesspool of unmitigated vitriol spewed with no accountability. [Read more…]

ELECTION MUST FOCUS ON THE WHAT, NOT THE WHO

October 7, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, B&R
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Like many Americans, I am concerned about the future of our country, not so much for myself but for my children and grandchildren.

Our nation may be more divided now than ever before in my lifetime. I was just a child and teenager in the 1960s and early 1970s when our nation faced racial strife and conflict over involvement in the Vietnam War. I can recall there was a lot of tension in those years, but what we see today seems far worse.

Our country is in trouble. Racial tensions are high and there is a movement among liberals in leadership to further that divide. Who could ever have dreamed that in the United States we would have elected officials who want to do away with law enforcement and allow an “anything goes” environment?

Some of our constitutional rights are in danger if the liberal element in our society has its way. Add to the mix the fear and uncertainties caused by the worldwide pandemic and it’s little wonder that many Americans are anxious about the future. [Read more…]

WHY RACISM IS DESTRUCTIVE

October 1, 2020

By Fady Al-Hagal
Ethnic new church catalyst, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

Jesus our Lord said, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25).

When the church is not united, disunity will become a major hindrance intended to separate and render ineffective the mission of the body of Christ on earth of making disciples of all nations.

The sin of racism, prejudice and hostility toward other people groups, colors and nations has long been the very tool of the enemy to steal, kill and destroy between the nations and the people of the earth.

The body of Christ is to be actively sharing the unconditional love of Christ shed abroad in our hearts and is to be constantly on mission making disciples amongst people of every tribe, tongue, language and race. [Read more…]

GOD’S STILL WORKING DURING THE PANDEMIC

September 28, 2020

By Norman Ridenhour
Baptist layman and retired newspaper editor

The coronavirus has reeked heartbreaking stories of people throughout the world. Anyone who reads or listens to the news receives daily reports of the death, hospitalization and fear across the globe.

Spousal abuse and divorce rates going through the roof, small business owners closing and losing everything they have spent a lifetime building. Government debt continues to rise to highs no one could have dreamed of, and suicides are at record levels.

The government has tried to ease the pain through unemployment dollars and direct assistance to the taxpayers.

Still, we hear stories of our elderly who lose their life when infected by others. [Read more…]

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