Opinion Column Archives - Page 4 of 79

CORONAVIRUS: GOD HAS THE WORLD’S ATTENTION

April 6, 2020

By Bruce Chesser
President, Tennessee Baptist Convention

Coronavirus. It took most of us a little while to learn how to say it and a little bit longer to learn how to spell it, but it has quickly become a part of our vocabulary.

I want to encourage you today. This will pass. And God is on the throne and none of this caught Him by surprise. I believe deep in my heart that the prayer that many of us have shared for God to bring a great awakening to our land might very well be tied to this worldwide pandemic.

God is getting the attention of the entire world. And we need to be sharing His truth at every opportunity. [Read more…]

COVID-19 … THEN WHAT?

April 3, 2020

By Larry Robertson
Pastor, Hilldale Baptist Church, Clarksville

I’m going to say something that I know will be controversial to some, but I need to say it. At least I think I need to say it.

If your church is viewed by your community as part of the COVID-19 problem and not part of the solution because you continue to gather, shake hands, hug necks, you’re killing your influence in the community after this thing’s done.

Government leaders requesting that churches not gather during this time of increasing viral spread is not persecution. It’s not an attack on religious liberty. It’s not a judgment against the content of our beliefs. It’s not part of some global conspiracy to stop the spread of the gospel. [Read more…]

MISSIONARIES SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN DURING PANDEMIC

April 2, 2020

By Kim Cruise

Missions discipleship specialist, Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union

While COVID-19 spreads sickness and death across many countries, responses vary, but the most common response is fear. Fear of a loved one contracting the virus and suffering alone because no visitors are allowed. Fear of doctors and nurses being spread too thinly to meet the needs. Fear of retirement savings being reduced to a pittance. Fear of not being able to pay this month’s bills or provide food for the family. Virtually no one is untouched by this pandemic.

Missionaries who are serving far from home are in a unique situation. Missionaries, with few exceptions, are helpers and givers. That’s why they have left everything to give the gospel and serve through meeting human needs in a myriad of ways. Being told to stay at home while surrounded by so many dire needs, many struggle with the tough decision: “Do I follow government and WHO advice, or do I take the risk and go help anyways? When I chose to follow Christ, wasn’t there an inherent risk involved?” During our years of service in the Philippines, we were often called upon to be the “ambulance” since most families do not own a vehicle. What does a missionary do when asked to drive a seriously ill person to the hospital but doing so may risk their own family’s lives? This is the same basic issue facing frontline doctors and nurses right now.

Many missionaries serve in countries where the income and standard of living is far, far below that of America. They often use portions of their own support to help the poor around them with medical expenses, food, etc. With many businesses closing down, those who live “hand to mouth” have no savings and will suffer the most. Missionaries often feel overwhelmed with the needs around them and that is going to be multiplied exponentially right now. Ask if they need extra funds right now to help out and take up a special offering to help them help others. [Read more…]

KEEPING YOUR SANITY IN ‘THE TWILIGHT ZONE’

April 2, 2020

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

For decades upon decades, Americans have always raced to the next big task or achievement.

In the late 1880s to early 1900s, the United States entered the machine age where invention after invention improved society and our ability to move about. Automobiles and airplanes became primary modes of travel, far surpassing the horse and buggy and even trains. [Read more…]

FIRST-PERSON: HEALTHY HABITS FOR PASTORS DURING COVID-19 CULTURE

March 31, 2020

By Willie McLaurin

EDITOR’S NOTE: Willie McLaurin is vice president for Great Commission Relations and Mobilization with the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.

NASHVILLE — COVID-19 will forever change the way we do life and ministry. Change is around us in every area of life. God often uses crisis to bring about changes that were overdue in our lives. Author Tony Robbins reminds us: Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.

The coronavirus did not catch God by surprise. We must not waste this season, but we must embrace it and allow God to shape our lives for His glory. Many pastors and church leaders are past due for a RESET in their regular routine. I am convinced that we must take advantage of this season to reinvent ourselves physically, spiritually and emotionally.

Physically

Let me first acknowledge that more and more pastors are taking advantage of the benefits of regular physical activity. Health professionals continue to emphasize the benefits of regular physical activity. If you are in need of a physical tune-up, then this season is perfect for you. I would encourage you to carve out time in your calendar each day to engage in physical activities. [Read more…]

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP IN THE COVID-19 STORM

March 31, 2020

By Randy C. Davis
TBMB President & Executive Director

I loved being a pastor. It was my joy and honor to spend 34 years as a pastor in a local church, so obviously I have a special place in my heart for the men who faithfully labor behind the pulpit serving God and His people.

I never saw myself in any other vocational capacity this side of heaven other than in a pastorate serving churches. God had other plans and serving churches has taken a different look. For almost 10 years, it’s been my privilege to lead the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board to serve the 3,200 churches that are part of the network of churches that comprise the Tennessee Baptist Convention. [Read more…]

THE COOPERATIVE PROGRAM — ARE WE ALL-IN?

March 20, 2020

By Matt Tullos
Stewardship Development Specialist, TBMB

We’ve seen this scene played out in countless westerns. The weather-beaten cowboy in the dusty western saloon looks across the table and pushes all his chips to the center. For better or for worse, he’s all-in.

John the Baptist was all-in, too. He couldn’t be categorized as anything other than completely, radically, undeniably committed. His calling and mission propelled him into the vortex of the Jesus story. What do you call a man who wears camel’s skin? How do you explain a consistent diet of wild honey and extra-crispy locust? [Read more…]

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR EASTER SERVICE

March 19, 2020

By Bruce Chesser
President, Tennessee Baptist Convention

Easter is just around the corner and if you are like most churches it will be one of our greatest opportunities to impact our communities in the entire year.

More people will attend church on Easter than any other day of the year. But the reality is that you must plan to make it special. It will not just happen.

Let’s start with the basics. Pray. Call your people to pray. Have prayer gatherings. Have people designated throughout the times of your services to pray for God to move. Never forget that He is the One who must work in the hearts and lives and people. [Read more…]

19 RULES FOR PASTORS AND LEADERS DURING COVID-19

March 18, 2020

By Matt Tullos
Special assistant to the executive director, TBMB

We don’t know how long this new reality will last. It’s difficult for us to navigate local ministry in the midst of a national emergency. Here are 19 things we challenge church leaders to do during the Coronavirus also known as C-19

(1) Set aside time for personal prayer. There are so many hurdles to jump through in communicating during this uncertain time but the most important communication you can do is to intercede. Here is a short, guided prayer activity:

• Pray for God to use the Coronavirus Crisis to bring a national revival. This is the heart-cry of the Church. Could God use something as difficult and all-encompassing as a virus to bring people back to God? Absolutely. [Read more…]

HOW TO PREACH TO AN EMPTY ROOM

March 18, 2020

Baptist Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (BP) — I have been pastoring and preaching for 28 years, and I’ve spent more than 20 years as a preaching professor. Until very recently, I’ve never really given any thought about how to preach to an empty room. My goal has always been that the church would be as full as we can get it when it comes time to preach! But in light of the coronavirus and the reality of providing online Sunday services, I’ve been asked by a few leaders, “What are some tips for preaching to an empty room?”

Here are some thoughts that I’m keeping in mind as I preach for video. I hope they’ll be of help to other preachers: [Read more…]

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