Opinion Column Archives - Page 4 of 104

WE CAN’T BE REMINDED ABOUT EVANGELISM ‘TOO MUCH’

February 21, 2022

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

As I approach my 34th year with the Baptist and Reflector, I can’t even begin to count how many sermons and messages I have listened to in more than three decades.

A good number of those messages were preached during the State Evangelism Conference which at one time was the highlight for pastors all over Tennessee. During the late 1980s and through the mid to late 1990s, the evangelism conference was well attended for the most part.

Gradually, attendance began to wane. The conference was moved from its typical January slot to early spring. It later was moved back to January but attendance was never the same. The conference was changed to regional meetings but that never caught on. Eventually the State Evangelism Conference ceased to exist.

I can’t honestly say I was disappointed because it was less meetings to sit through, but as I reflect on the evangelism conferences, I realize that it probably was a mistake to discontinue them even though attendance had decreased significantly. I have come to understand that we can never put too much emphasis on evangelism. [Read more…]

DOES YOUR REPUTATION PROFIT YOU?

February 8, 2022

By Ryan Keaton
Emerging generations specialist, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

Ryan Keaton

Your church has a reputation. Whether your reputation is perceived or reality, a young adult has an assumption of what they will experience before they ever attend. Your online presence often precedes your church’s influence, but the relationship with your community matters, as well. Is your church’s reputation in your community attractive to young adults?

While your perception of your church’s reputation may be positive, young adults in your community, who do not attend, may not have the same opinions. A 2020 Barna Research article reports, “while practicing Christians firmly believe that Christian churches have a strong impact (66 percent positive, 28 percent somewhat positive), the rest of the U.S. population is not as quick to sing their praises.

Only about a quarter (27 percent) agrees that churches have a positive impact — the same percentage (27 percent) who say it has no effect at all. Non-Christians, meanwhile, are inclined towards indifference (39 percent no impact) or more willing to see harm in churches’ local contributions (8 percent very negative, 10 percent somewhat negative).

These statistics are alarming. There is a disconnect between the perceived impact a church makes in their community depending on the audience. [Read more…]

THE PROLONGED COMMITMENT OF DISASTER RELIEF

February 4, 2022

By Randy C. Davis
President and executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

This image, taken just a couple of days after floodwaters tore through Waverly in August, shows a house located near the campus of First Baptist Church Waverly. Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief teams were in action almost immediately after the floods. — Photo by Lonnie Wilkey

I couldn’t believe what I saw when I made my way down the hill and into Waverly following the flooding last August. I’ve witnessed the aftermath of several natural disasters, but the news reports didn’t capture the magnitude of the devastation that leveled that city.

You might have felt the same if you have driven through Dresden, or what’s left of Dresden, after the small West Tennessee town took a direct hit from a tornado just two weeks before Christmas.

I just grieve when I see what remains in the wake of disasters, thinking about the loss of life, the loss of livelihoods and the incalculable trauma people suffer. But I also thank God that, as Tennessee Baptists, we have a way to stand in the gap and minister to hurting people in a tangible way through Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief. [Read more…]

START SMALL … GROW STRONG!

January 31, 2022

By Clay Hallmark
President, Tennessee Baptist Convention

A friend of mine in Alabama once taught me a great principle that I have found to be true both in life and in ministry. The principle is this: “Start small … grow strong!” There is nothing wrong with a small or humble start.

Wilbur and Orville Wright’s first airplane flight only lasted 12 seconds. The first automobiles are reported to have only traveled between two and four miles per hour. The first computers were as large as a room and used punch cards. Man landed on the moon with the computing power that is less than that in today’s elementary school calculators. Today, the technology being used in flight, automobiles, and computers is growing and rapidly changing each day. The principle is simple: Start small … grow strong.

As we are at the beginning of 2022, I want to remind you again that now is a great time for thinking about, planning and starting something new. For many churches, attendance would increase dramatically next year if they would just start a few new Sunday School classes. On average a new Sunday School class will reach at least 10 new people in a 12-month period of time. [Read more…]

FIVE WAYS TO ENCOURAGE YOUR PASTOR

January 28, 2022

By Parker Smith
Pastor, Prospect Baptist Church, Fayetteville

Pastoring is hard work. We live in a day in which faithful shepherds experience a high rate of burnout, depression or leave the ministry altogether. Pastors need encouragers. Individuals who are the wind within their sails, much like Onesiphorus for the Apostle Paul (II Timothy 1:16). Here are five practical ways in which you can encourage your pastor.

1. Pray for him. The work of pastoring is spiritual work (Ephesians 6:12). He can often see how the Lord is working within the church and how the enemy is attempting to trip up, grab a foothold or lure away disciples.

Pastoring is a heavy load, and we haven’t even begun to mention other important aspects of the pastor’s life and calling. One of the greatest gifts you can give to your pastor is a commitment to pray for him. Beyond this, let him know when and how you pray for him. It will bless his heart and refresh his soul.

2. Get to know him. Behind every pulpit, suit and tie, behind every sermon manuscript or outline, is a man who is just like you in many ways. He has hobbies and interests, likes and dislikes. He has a family. Bottom line: he’s a person. [Read more…]

‘DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF’

January 27, 2022

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

Lonnie Wilkey

In 1997, Richard Carlson wrote a book entitled Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff … and It’s All Small Stuff. The book proved to be quite popular, spending 100 weeks on The New York Times best-sellers list.

I believe the book was so popular because it’s human nature for people to “sweat the small stuff.” I think many of us condition ourselves for the “traumatic” things that might happen and we accept those. Then, when something that seems so insignificant happens, we explode.

I have been accused of that on occasion by my family. And, it’s probably true. Too often, we let the small stuff drive us nuts. [Read more…]

A LESSON FROM GRANDDADDY ED

January 26, 2022

By Randy C. Davis
President and executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

My granddad had a garden. I’m not talking about a small, backyard garden with a few tomato plants scattered about. I’m talking about nearly an acre in the field across the road garden. I loved helping him with his garden when I got old enough.

My granddad only had a third-grade education, but he was a self-taught master carpenter and a whiz mathematician. His name was James Edward Straughn and he had an enormous impact on my life. He was a father figure and fishing buddy; wise counselor and gentle encourager.

While I truly enjoyed working hard filling his big freezer and pantry with produce from the garden, I mostly enjoyed just being with him. Even after Jeanie and I married and I became a pastor, I would spend off days in the spring and summer driving the hour-plus back to help in the garden. [Read more…]

DOES YOUR REPUTATION PRECEDE YOU?

January 20, 2022

By Ryan Keaton
Emerging Generations Specialist, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

Is my church effectively reaching young adults? Churches across our state are asking this same question. With this new year upon us, churches can seek to focus their efforts on being intentional in reaching, engaging, discipling, and sending young adults. The “magic bullet” for reaching young adults does not exist.

There is not a quick-fix solution to turning the trajectory of your church around, or even fine-tuning the ministry your church may already have. Each church must put their finger on the pulse of their community as they strategically develop a ministry plan that aligns with their church’s mission to reach young adults.

While processes will adapt in different churches, characteristics will remain the same. Churches must provide a ministry pathway that takes young adults from attraction to the church to being sent through outreach ministries of the church. [Read more…]

‘WE GOTTA TALK TO EACH OTHER’

January 16, 2022

By Chris Turner
Director of Communications, TBMB
cturner@tnbaptist.org

Sam was 11 years old when he set out on the Freedom March with his brother from Brown Chapel AME Church just blocks from Edmund Pettus Bridge. As he descended from the bridge Sam heard the tear gas cannisters being fired and people running as law enforcement on horseback beat people with nightsticks. “It’s a sight I’ll never forget,” he said.

Sam pointed across the road to the spot about 50 yards away where he first heard the distinctive “pop” of tear gas canisters fired at the long line of marchers descending from the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The group of 600 stretched from downtown Selma and over the Alabama River. It was the beginning of the 51-mile journey to the state capital in Montgomery to demand long-denied voting rights. Sam was 11 years old and trailing some distance behind his older brother when he saw him running from the consuming mist.

Just 200 yards ahead, at the vanguard of the peaceful march, dozens of people lay scattered in the streets in pools of their own blood, some unconscious, after law enforcement officers brutally beat them with Billy clubs. Sam could see mounted police charging his way, wildly swinging nightsticks at people in panicked retreat, landing blows to their heads and backs. Petrified, he ran after his brother, away from the horror sweeping his way.

I met Sam last week at the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute located adjacent to where the events of Selma’s Bloody Sunday (March 7, 1965) took place. He vividly remembers it all, every detail. “That was a bad day. A terrible day. I remember the looks on people’s faces as they ran in fear.” [Read more…]

AS 2022 BEGINS, TRUST GOD’S WORD: FEAR NOT

January 16, 2022

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

As children, we often were afraid, whether it was because of the bully down the street, the darkness, strange sounds, scary movies or television shows, you name it. I was no different. For years, I would never watch “The Twilight Zone.” Now, it is one of my favorite old shows. The imagination of the writers was incredible. I understand that now. I didn’t when I was 7 or 8 years old.

As we grew older, our fears changed. We feared getting cut from the baseball team or failing a test in school or being laughed at by our schoolmates. We feared rejection.

When we became adults, our fears came along with us, just on a different scale. We began to fear what would happen if we lost our jobs or our homes. We read the news headlines and feared what was going on in countries around us or what would happen if the economy failed. We read about the evil in the world and worry about how we can protect our families and our way of life. [Read more…]

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