Carolyn Tomlin

When the high school’s baseball team finished their annual season, Todd, a junior, walked back to the dugout with the other players. “With baseball over, I’ll miss seeing you guys this summer,” he said with a downcast look across his face.

“Just because baseball’s over, that is no reason to not spend time together,” smiled John as he patted his friend on the shoulder. “Tell you what, our church has a fantastic youth group. We have fun together while learning new skills. I agree, we are a small church, but we have many activities we all enjoy. Such as summer camp, youth conferences where we visit a big city and stay in a hotel, and camping.”

“Sounds great. But my parents couldn’t afford the cost of all those things,” Todd replied. [Read more…]

Randy C. Davis

I love that a Tennessee pastor will be the next pastor of one of Tennessee’s most iconic churches.

Yes, I know Ben Mandrell is originally from Illinois and graduated from college in Indiana, but he served as college pastor, then senior pastor, of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson from 2006 to 2013, earned his Doctor of Ministry from Union University, and was president of Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville since 2019.

He and his family have been members of Forest Hills Baptist Church, one of the Tennessee Baptist Convention’s most generous Cooperative Program-giving churches. That’s good enough in my book to earn him the honorary designation “Tennessean.” [Read more…]

Dr. Bill Maynard

Science has brought undeniable blessings to the world. But its achievements over the past 400 years have enticed many in Western culture to enshrine science as the answer to everything and the only reliable source of truth.

Although this view (sometimes called scientism) is unscientific, it has led to the false perception that science and religion are opposed.

Can science and Christianity coexist, much less harmonize? I firmly believe so. Many of the greatest scientists in history have espoused belief in God.

For my part, as a practitioner of a scientific discipline (medicine), I am privileged to administer many wonderful benefits of the sciences. And as a Christian, I find my faith encouraged, rather than threatened, by science. [Read more…]

Chris Turner

Is it possible to be salt and light in a culture where Evangelical Christians champion individual freedom, autonomy, and liberty while seeking to legislate societal morality through majority rule?

This question reveals a genuine tension for Evangelical Christians. How do we advocate for personal freedoms while using the democratic process to influence and enforce our biblical understanding of moral standards in society?

I formulated this question a month ago while studying the “Scopes Monkey Trial” in preparation for the 100th anniversary reenactment of the “Trial of the Century” held this week in Dayton, Tennessee. [Read more…]

Carolyn Tomlin

AAA reports a record of over 72.2 million Americans will travel domestically during the Fourth of July holiday, an increase of 2.4% over last year. The average trip will be 50 miles from home.

As July 4 falls on a Friday, people will have a long weekend. Airline flights are setting new records.

Whether your family plans to journey to other areas or plans a stay-at-home Tennessee holiday, these educational, fun, and creative activities will make this a time to remember.

Celebrate family, faith, and patriotic community events this Independence Day. [Read more…]

Zoë Watkins

Moses killed an Egyptian. King David had an affair and assassinated the husband. Peter “Vincent Van Gogh-ed” a soldier’s ear.

History is messy, but for every bad thing that happened, the good should shine that much brighter.

Moses led the way to freedom for the Israelites. David was a man after God’s own heart. And Peter was a disciple of Christ who helped spread the gospel far and wide ultimately becoming a martyr.

God’s Word is often misinterpreted because history is taken out of context. History is messy because messy people crafted it, and the Bible documents that. But the messiness doesn’t, or at least shouldn’t, stop us from learning and appreciating the Bible’s historical record. [Read more…]

Vickie Anderson

In 1902, Mrs. Mildred Golden, Tennessee WMU Corresponding Secretary (1898-1902), cast a bold vision for Tennessee Baptists to pray for their Tennessee mission field and give to the first state missions offering. A total of $800 was given that first year.

For the next decade, without the convenience of electric typewriters, word processors, or computers, Mrs. Golden and her husband, Dr. W.C. Golden (TBC Executive Secretary, 1902-1910), wrote and copied the programs for the season of prayer.

Together with family and neighbors, they counted envelopes and leaflets, wrapped them in brown paper, tied and addressed each bundle, stamped them, and, most importantly, prayed over every packet before mailing them to the churches across the state. In 1943, Tennessee WMU named the state missions offering after the Goldens. [Read more…]

Randy C. Davis

The Southern Baptist Convention, held in Dallas two weeks ago, was, in my view, one of the most significant annual meetings our denomination has experienced in recent years.

The agenda was packed, with critical decisions made on resolutions, amendments, budgets and other matters.

Having had time to reflect, here are my key highlights and takeaways from our time in Dallas: [Read more…]