By Kenny Cooper
president, TBAH

When asked about my feelings regarding life-ending measures for those with terminal illnesses, my off-hand and truthful answer was that I struggle with both how I feel and what should be done. Over a career of 20 years as a pastor and now 20 years in residential and health services for senior adults, I have witnessed many terminally ill persons — and their families — struggle with pain, loss of control, and the cloud of death that was imminent but not immediate. In addition to these experiences, I watched my father die a painful death from lung cancer and my mother-in-law die after a four-year bout with Alzheimer’s disease, at the end of which she was in immense emotional pain as well as physical pain. One cannot observe and be present in these circumstances without being affected by them. [Read more…]

By Jim Collier
Pastor in Memphis

My initial response when contemplating this article was anger. To consider that the most heinous of crimes, the murder of the unborn innocent, is being supported by our culture enraged me. To compound that evil, their bodies are being desecrated and dismembered for profit. My only response could be anger. But, because I belong to Jesus, I’m not permitted to be angry in my flesh. Paul’s admonition carries the day: “Be angry and do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26, ESV).

Our culture has armed itself against human life, purging the land of human beings who are inconvenient and unwanted. Over the past several weeks, two issues have resurfaced, drawing our attention back to this war on life. Planned Parenthood, the constant representation of the prenatal genocide called abortion, has confessed to “tissue trafficking” and defended its practice. Unless you have been on vacation from any media, you are aware of the two undercover videos of senior members of Planned Parenthood discussing with disgusting openness the destruction and dismemberment of human babies. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

This article was supposed to be about one of my spiritual heroes — Jack Lewis.

I suppose it still is, but not the way it originally was intended.

Jack came to Tulip Grove Baptist Church as minister of education in a part-time role in 1995 and joined the staff full time a year later. He “retired” a couple of years ago and became part-time senior adult pastor.

He has served our church faithfully and effectively and has been a friend and mentor to me and countless others over the years.

Jack was scheduled to “retire” again this month and a reception was planned for him and his wife, Sandra, this past Sunday (July 26).

God, however, had other plans. He called Sandra Lewis home to be with Him the week before on July 19. [Read more…]

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

I continue to mourn the decision made by five Supreme Court justices on June 26. Those five judges redefined marriage as society has known it since creation.

God made it clear in Genesis that marriage is between one man and one woman. That’s the definition I have known for 57 years and I don’t plan on changing it now, no matter what the Supreme Court says.

Let me clarify. I don’t mourn for myself or my generation. I’m old enough and ornery enough that nothing will ever change my mind about marriage. I am actually angry that my generation and those before me sat back and allowed this to happen. We have no one to blame but ourselves. [Read more…]

By Larry Robertson
Sr. Pastor, Hilldale Baptist Church, Clarksville

The ride ahead is going to get bumpy, so make sure that your seat backs and tray tables are in their upright positions, your seat belts are securely fastened, and all your carry-on items are securely stowed.

The Supreme Court’s recent decision legalizing same-sex marriage has changed the landscape of America in unprecedented ways, but this journey has just begun. And what the future holds is anybody’s guess.

Nevertheless, I have great hope about the future! All Christians should be able to sing, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness!” and mean it. [Read more…]

By Chris Turner
Director of Communications, TBC

Picture this scenario from a pastor’s perspective. A same-sex couple contacts you on Thursday and asks you to officiate their wedding ceremony. You politely decline. Friday the couple is making the rounds on the local news. In their mind, you’re a narrow-minded bigot violating their 14th Amendment rights. Your cell phone blows up with interview requests. You decline, and by Sunday when you pull into the church parking lot, news reporters and their trucks everywhere.

Driving through the lot, out the other side, and continuing on to Alaska may look like a reasonable option at the time, but it’s really not. What should you really do? Actually, it’s what should you have done long before now that would have made a difference and prepared you for the moment.

There are generally two types of organizations in the world — those who have had a crisis and those whose crisis hasn’t occurred yet. Preparation is critical if your church is to weather the storm and maintain its witness. Here are a number of tips to help you and your church be prepared for addressing difficult issues — not just the same-sex marriage issue — and to effectively communicate your position on anything. [Read more…]

By Chris Turner
Director of Communications, TBC

BRENTWOOD — The intersection of a biblical worldview and the philosophy of a secular culture often converge in the youth minister’s office, and there has been no greater collision in that intersection than the recent 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 states.

“Youth ministers are faced with helping parents and teenagers sort through the reality of a biblical view of human sexuality and marriage,” said Bruce Edwards, youth specialist with the Tennessee Baptist Convention.

“The culture and the court are validating lifestyles contrary to God’s intended design for sex and marriage. Unfortunately this issue isn’t going away so churches and ministers can’t just stick their heads in the sand and hope it will.”

Youth ministers stand at a unique place in the lives of both parents and teens, Edwards said, and stand in a unique position of ministry as a result. That is a lot of responsibility, especially when dealing with such an important topic that needs to be handled with great wisdom for all involved. [Read more…]

By Vicki Hulsey
TBC Childhood Ministry Specialist

When children are given more opportunities to discover God’s plan for marriage, their tendency to ask tough questions may increase as they see people they know choosing to live a lifestyle that is different than God’s design for marriage. Below are some tips to share with parents when answering tough questions:

• Take each question seriously. A child who feels embarrassed may be uncomfortable in asking questions in the future.
• Make sure responses are age appropriate. Avoid giving more information than a child asks for or needs.
• Use language a child can understand when answering questions.
• Remember that children have short attention spans.
• Before answering a question, try to think how you might have felt at this age. Keep in mind that what was confusing to you as a child may be magnified for today’s children.
• Locate Bible passages in advance to help children discover what God has to say about creation and marriage. Give the child opportunities to read the passages, preferably from his Bible. Be prepared to explain unfamiliar words.
• Refrain from turning this important time into a lecture by listening carefully to the child, encouraging him to express his own thoughts.
• Pray for God’s guidance for you and the child before, during, and after the conversation. Leave the door open for future conversations.

By Vicki Hulsey
TBC Childhood Ministry Specialist

Kids are full of questions. If you are a parent or children’s leader at church, you might often hear questions like:

• Are we there yet?

• Who else is going?

• When are we going to eat?

• What are we going to do next?

• Are you sure?

• Why can’t I?

• Do we have to? [Read more…]