Opinion Column Archives - Page 2 of 100

A DOM’S PERSPECTIVE

December 13, 2021

Editor’s note: See story about Second Mile Church and Kenwood Baptist Church HERE.

By Rick Stevens

Stevens

Cal Hampton returned to his hometown with a heart to make a difference in ministry.

He genuinely cares about those that have not come to faith in Christ. The church he started has been committed from day one to sharing the gospel with those outside the doors of the church. 2nd Mile Church has provided egg hunts, school involvement, servanthood evangelism projects and evangelistic special events.

For that reason, I convinced Cal that 2nd Mile would be a great “adoptive” parent church for the struggling Kenwood Baptist Church. We looked at the demographics and saw the huge numbers of people all around the church. [Read more…]

PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS, SPIRITUALLY

December 10, 2021

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

We are officially in the final days of the Christmas season. As you read this column in the print issue, Christmas Day is about three weeks away.

As we know, however, the unofficial Christmas season began even before Halloween was over as stores began promoting Christmas gift buying and decorating for the season.

Now is the time people are “getting ready” for Christmas by going to parties and celebrations or buying those special Christmas gifts. If you don’t believe me, just go to any department store, but do so at your own risk.

We always worry about automobile accidents during the holiday season, but I am waiting for this announcement on the television: “We interrupt our programming to bring breaking news from the local department store. “Twelve people were seriously injured in a 12-cart pileup while trying to reach the last toy on the shelf.” That sounds funny and I suppose it is, but it’s not far from the realm of possibility. I have almost been a victim of a shopper gone wild. [Read more…]

PEOPLE NEED NEW — NOT BETTER!

December 10, 2021

By Roc Collins
Director of strategic objectives, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

What do we really need? Some would offer social reform and that would be the fix-all for society. I would contend that we need spiritual regeneration! What’s the difference?

Social reform is making changes to improve something or some situation. Often social reform is touted as the answer to all of society’s problems. Certainly, changes could be made in our society that would improve many areas of life. But social reform without spiritual regeneration is like improving guest services on the Titanic.

Our culture has a heart condition, and it won’t change permanently until we have true regeneration. Spiritual regeneration is not changing something old; it’s beginning something completely new. While reformation is often needed, regeneration far and away, supersedes reform through the ages. When Jesus saved me, He didn’t just move me from bad to good, He regenerated me from dead to alive!

Like the Apostle Paul wrote, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (II Corinthians 5:17 NASB). While many seek social reform that lasts for a season, nearly four million people in Tennessee are living without Christ — a far deeper, more eternal consequence. My prayer to God is for the Church of Jesus Christ to focus on the eternal need for spiritual regeneration of all people. [Read more…]

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…]

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