Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

NAME SHOULD REFLECT OUR MISSION

By David Leavell

David Leavell

David Leavell

We Baptists are a peculiar people! We are saved by grace, called by God into community, and sent for kingdom advancement. Over the years, God has used us in special ways to bring His fame and renown across this globe.

I have the privilege of serving on the Administrative Committee of the Executive Board for Tennessee Baptists. Because of that area of service, I have had the opportunity to think extensively about the proposed name change from the Executive Board to the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. After reflection, I believe this is an idea whose time has come.

We don’t enter into this proposal lightly. It has been 100 years since a name change for this group was entertained. So when changes are made, they must be intentional and clarifying. I believe this proposal better frames the work of Tennessee Baptists and gives immediate clarity for our gospel service. Keep in mind this name change does not affect the Tennessee Baptist Convention. That name will not change. This proposed name change affects the entity currently called the Executive Board. Here’s why I believe the proposed name, “Tennessee Baptist Mission Board,” is important to who this entity is. [Read more…]

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CARSON-NEWMAN PROFESSOR SHOWS HOME TO STUDENTS

By David Crutchley

Editor’s Note: Crutchley, a native of Zimbabwe, Africa, is chair of the religion department at Carson-Newman University. He has led a group of C-N students to Africa for nine years.

David Crutchley

David Crutchley

We arrive in Cape Town, South Africa, after a 12-hour flight from London. Home again … African soil. Table Mountain peers down from her lofty throne and welcomes us. Our group of 21 has traveled 10,000 miles to walk in this breath-taking corner of God’s creation. The heart races with joy as memories and nostalgia surface. A gaggle of wide-eyed students stare with wonder as we drive through the hills and suburbs. I kick into guide mode and for the next two weeks we will share the paradoxes of Africa. The physical beauty of the southern part of the continent makes even the angels marvel and yet the land yearns to exorcise the demons of apartheid and heal from the shackles of its past. [Read more…]

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RACIAL RECONCILIATION BEGINS IN HEART

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Lonnie-WilkeyAnother annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention has come and gone. By all accounts it was historic and for the most part Southern Baptists left with a good feeling. Tennessee Baptists should be extremely proud as one of our own — Steve Gaines of Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, was elected president in an unusual and historic election (see also column by Chris Turner).

There was an emphasis on prayer, soul winning, racial reconciliation, and revival/spiritual awakening. Those are desperately needed in our world today. It’s not a matter of Southern Baptists not knowing what to do. It’s a matter of getting the job done.

Southern Baptists dealt with a number of resolutions ranging from gratitude to supporting the nation of Israel to freedom of the press. Perhaps the resolution that drew the most interest and debate from the floor dealt with the Confederate flag.

The original resolution called on believers “to consider prayerfully whether to limit, or even more so, discontinue its display,” while noting that for some people the Confederate battle flag is not “a symbol of hatred, bigotry, and racism.” [Read more…]

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A SHOCKED RESPONSE TO HISTORICAL MOMENTS

By Chris Turner
Director of Communications, TBC

Chris Turner

Chris Turner

Steve Gaines, pastor of iconic Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, sat at the table in the pressroom at the annual Southern Baptist Convention meeting and waited for questions. Gaines had just been elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention by a historic vote of acclamation.

“Any questions,” the moderator asked the media.

Silence. Stunned silence. Finally someone spoke up and said, “I think we’re all in shock.”

The shock was the result of North Carolina Pastor J.D. Greear stepping to the microphone prior to a scheduled third vote for the presidency and telling the thousands of messengers gathered in Saint Louis that he was withdrawing from the election process. He then encouraged messengers to join him in electing Gaines president by acclamation. [Read more…]

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TRYING TO EMPTY MOSQUES, NOT BUILD THEM

By Randy C. Davis
TBC Executive Director

Randy C. Davis

Randy C. Davis

Tennessee Baptists are about emptying mosques, not building them.

There are a few pseudo-news websites authored by bloggers who produce satirical “news” stories, and some of their recent stories state that the Southern Baptist Convention is building mosques. Those stories have gained traction through social media and people are assuming their truth. At least one of those stories states the Tennessee Baptist Convention is also building a mosque. As my pastor back home would say, “That’s a lie born in the pits of hell!”

And I want to set the record straight about this slanderous gossip. See story by Lonnie Wilkey.

Neither the Southern Baptist Convention nor the Tennessee Baptist Convention has ever built a mosque, and will never build a mosque. However, let me emphatically state that my prayer is that the gospel of Jesus Christ would sweep through the Muslim community in Tennessee and around the world and empty every mosque because those dear people have had an encounter with the Living God. Would it be that every mosque would become a house of worship lifting up the name of Isa — Jesus in Arabic. [Read more…]

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REFINING OUR FOCUS AND NAMING OUR FUTURE

Steve Freeman
Senior Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Springfield

Steve Freeman

Steve Freeman

In our most recent Tennessee Baptist Convention Executive Board meeting, the Administrative Committee brought a proposal to change the name of our current standing governing body from “Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention” to “Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.” The proposal overwhelmingly moved forward in bringing the possible “name change” to The Summit in November, seeking the affirmation of messengers.

During the discussion at our Board meeting, there were several questions and positive comments made regarding the effects of a name change. I believe that as we, Tennessee Baptists, progress toward our future it is imperative that everything we do reflects who God has called us to be. Personally, I believe that adopting a new name not only reflects who we are, but it also promotes a freshness for the vision that is before us. [Read more…]

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I’M OFFENDED BUT THE WORLD DOESN’T CARE

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Lonnie-Wilkey

Lonnie Wilkey

We are living in a world where it is not politically correct to do anything that might offend somebody.

Unfortunately, the rules are often one-sided. The rules apparently only apply to Christians. We normally can’t offend anyone, but the non-Christian world can do anything it wants though it offends Christians and it is okay.

Case in point. Baptist Press reported last week that a deputy sheriff visited in the home of a 7-year-old boy in Palmdale, Calif., who dared to share written Scripture notes that his mother had placed in his lunchbox with his classmates at school. Unlike some Internet myths that get started, this apparently is true.

According to Baptist Press, the teacher on at least two occasions reprimanded the boy in front of his classmates causing him to shed tears. That is simply uncalled for and to me is an example of an adult teacher bullying a defenseless child. If it had to be done, it should have been done in a school office with the parents present. [Read more…]

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WHY IS MISSIONS WORK WORTH DOING?

Editor’s Note: Kennedy Keltner is 12 years old and is a member of Central Baptist Church, Brighton, where her father, Rusty Keltner, is pastor. Kennedy wrote this essay for a writing competition.

By Kennedy Keltner

Kennedy Keltner

Kennedy Keltner

Motivation is a quality that many people lack. They think “Why do more work than I have to?” In the job I hope to do in the future, this language and thinking is unacceptable. Most of the time, important jobs are very hard, yet they’re worth doing. I’m planning on being a missionary, a difficult but worthy job.

Ever since I can remember, I have been longing to explore the world and have been compassionate for others. When I was 5 years old I felt drawn to China, so all I asked for at Christmas that year was money for China. At summer camp, missionaries came and spoke. It was then that I heard a small voice telling me, “This is you, this is who you’re going to be.” Ever since then, my heart has been set on becoming a missionary. Last Christmas, I felt drawn to Africa, so all I asked for were Bibles to be sent there. [Read more…]

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MY FATHER’S HANDS

By Carolyn Tomlin

Carolyn Tomlin

Carolyn Tomlin

The third Sunday in June is the day set aside to honor our fathers. This day pays tribute to our earthly father. For many people, the man who comes to mind is a grandfather, foster parent, adopted dad, a teacher, or Sunday School leader.

On this day, as all other days, it is important to recognize the contribution our dads made to our families, our communities, and our churches. By observing this day, children have an opportunity to show love and respect to their fathers. Honoring our dads strengthens the bond between the child and father which supports the emotional growth of the child. [Read more…]

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MAYBE OL’ EL LOCO WASN’T SO LOCO AFTER ALL

By Chris Turner
Director of Communications, TBC

160616el-locoI sized up the donkey standing about 15 feet in front of me; then I casually walked over. I kept my distance because I’m not an equine kind of guy, but I had something to say. I looked the beast of burden square in the eye and decided to keep my comments brief and to the point.

“I’m glad I’m not you the next five days,” I said with equal parts sarcasm, sympathy, and relief.

Soon enough, after about three hours on the trail, I began to call him, “El Loco,” translated, “The Crazy.” He meandered along at his own pace — drifting off from the other two donkeys and the group I was a part of. He wasn’t obstinate, mostly. Let’s just say he was his own donkey.

But that was all to come. For the moment, he stood there with at least 100 pounds of backpacks strapped to his back just staring at me. There was no reaction to what I said. I wondered, was he oblivious to the difficult descent along the rocky trail into the canyon below then up the other side where he’d have to grunt that weight up more than 2,000 feet of elevation change and over a nearly 11,000 foot summit? Or, was he silently sizing me up, plotting payback for what could rightly be perceived as an insensitive comment. [Read more…]

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