By Carolyn Tomlin
Contributing Writer, B&R

Passing a shop filled with Easter gifts, I noticed cuddly lambs, soft yellow chicks, and other baby animals in pastel shades. Nearby, the traditional Easter lilies filled the air with their distinct aromatic scent. Across the street, a bakery displayed hot-cross buns and pretzels focusing on the Easter season. And as a reminder of Jesus being raised from the dead in a glorified body, a beautiful butterfly fluttered above.

  These are only a few of the representations associated with Easter. Perhaps, as adults, we are familiar with these signs, but do our children know the reason for these symbols? Do they know the ancient roots going back to the death and resurrection of Jesus? Look at a few of the traditional symbols of Easter and what they represent:  [Read more…]

By Steve Gaines
SBC President & Pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you’ ” (Matthew 28:5-7 NASB).

Springtime is here. Dogwoods and daffodils bloom as winter retreats and warmer days are welcomed. 

Across America, churches will soon be packed on Easter Sunday. 

Why? [Read more…]

By James Porch

My season of ministry with Phyllis Bates (18 years) was a continued learning experience. The “classroom settings” included day-by-day office agenda and hours of preparation for annual meetings and numerous committee meetings, accompanied by her ever present wisdom during the many occasions of interruptions. I cannot overplay Phyllis’s initiative of insight with a long view of how our decisions could influence and/or affect the future of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. [Read more…]

By Johnnie Godwin
Contributing Columnist, B&R

I’m not easily irked, nor am I easily jerked around. Yet, there are two types of ad questions that irritate my soul. One of those questions is this: “Will you outlive your money?” The other question asks, “Will you live to be 80?” Both questions are out to get you in one way or another. One may want your money or want to tell you how to invest it. The other question may deal with your lifestyle and telling you how to live to be 80. What irks me is that both questions deal with anxieties and answers that only God knows. The Bible teaches planning ahead but not worrying ahead.

The futility of worrying about life points. Scripture repeatedly points out the futility of anxiety about what is only temporary or has to end in death on earth. Read Matthew 6:33. The verse does not guarantee a free ride on what we need in life; rather, it deals with the anxiety factor in life and how God in Christ tells us to focus on priorities. “The kingdom of God” here basically means the will of God. Your monetary plans and your longevity plans are totally up to God and His will (see James 4:13-17). However, we are accountable to God for what we do and how we live within time. Hebrews 9:27 reads, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” More simply, get saved by grace through faith in Christ; or we suffer eternal punishment (John 3). Jesus underlined the importance of stewardship of our gifts in all of life. Matthew 25:14-30’s nutshell teaches that it is wickedness to do nothing with what we have. So life is God’s gift to us, and we’re responsible for what we do with it all the breathing days of life. [Read more…]

By Bruce Edwards
Youth Ministry Specialist, TBMB

Preparing to teach youth Bible study is a great responsibility and privilege! I think the time we spend in preparation to teach teenagers is the most important part of any Bible study lesson. We must teach out of the overflow of what God teaches us in the preparation.

Here are five steps that will help you in preparing for your next lesson:

(1) Prepare yourself through prayer. A prepared youth Bible study leader will spend time early in the week praying for next Sunday’s lesson, praying for students, and praying for God to show you exactly how to start your lesson and end your lesson with application the next Sunday! There are no shortcuts to prayer! [Read more…]

By Mark LeMay
Facilities/Support Services Manager, TBMB

Risk management is a crucial issue if we are to be the best stewards for the cause of Christ. Here are four tips to help you be more aware of risks and make good decisions about insurance coverage in the local church.

(1) Have a good working relationship with your agent and be sure your agent understands the exposures you have as a congregation. You should have confidence in your agent, but it is your responsibility to understand your coverage and to inform your agent of any unique liabilities you may have as a congregation. [Read more…]

Editor’s note: You can listen to Benjie Shaw discuss ministry to millennials during Episode 6 of Radio B&R, the official news podcast of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

By Benjie Shaw,
BCM Director, University Of Tennessee Health Science Center

I couldn’t help but fake a smile and cringe. After spending two Wednesday nights sharing about millennials with a local church, a lay leader approached me with a great idea for reaching out to millennials in the church’s neighborhood. Somehow, after listening to me share that millennials were disinterested in “churchy” things, that they probably won’t walk in to a church sponsored event, especially one located in a church, and that relationships with them generally must begin on their turf, his great idea was to show a Christian movie in the church’s coffee shop and put up invitation flyers in the neighborhood to attract young adults. [Read more…]