Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

STATE CONVENTIONS RALLY BEHIND SBC’S STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES ON ABUSE

By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

FRANKLIN — Baptist state conventions across the country have unanimously embraced a Statement of Principles on Abuse (see complete statement following article).

The state conventions are partnering with the Sexual Abuse Presidential Study Group, appointed by North Carolina pastor and Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear in response to a series of articles on sexual abuse in SBC churches published in early February by The Houston Chronicle. [Read more…]

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12 THINGS CHURCHES CAN DO TO PROTECT MINORS

  1. Institute the Two-Adult Rule: There must always be at least two adults in the room, in the car, in the van, or anywhere that minors are gathered. These two can NOT be husband and wife.
  2. Institute the Six-Month Rule: An individual must be a member of the church for at least six months before being considered for work with minors in any way. Pedophiles and others looking to prey on minors will not likely stay at the church that long. [Read more…]
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TENNESSEE TIES

Editor’s Note: New IMB President Paul Chitwood spoke to Baptist editors during their meeting last week in Charleston, S.C. Following his presentation, the Tennessee native sat down for an interview with the Baptist and Reflector.

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

Paul Chitwood, seen here during a recent press conference, was elected president of the IMB last November. Chitwood is a Tennessee native and was reared in First Baptist Church, Jellico.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — It’s been quite awhile since Paul Chitwood left Tennessee, but his roots still run deep.

Chitwood, who became president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board in November, was born in LaFollette in 1970.

At the age of 2, his parents divorced and Thomas Chitwood and his three sons moved to Jellico to live with his grandparents for awhile. Later, his dad found a nearby place for him and his sons to live.

Jellico, located on the state line of Kentucky and Tennessee, was home to Chitwood until he moved to Louisville, Ky., to attend seminary. [Read more…]

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FOUNDER OF MID-AMERICA BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY DIES AT 94

Dr. B. Gray Allison established global institution through conservative ‘Bible, missions and evangelism’ leadership

From Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary communications department

Dr. B. Gray Allison

MEMPHIS — Dr. B. Gray Allison, the founder of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, died on Feb. 12. He was 94.

Known as “Dr. Gray” by friends and associates, he served as Mid-America’s president from its inception in 1972 until 1997. After that time he continued to serve as professor and chair of the evangelism department.  [Read more…]

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BACKGROUND CHECKS: A NECESSITY, NOT AN OPTION, FOR CHURCHES

Baptist And Reflector

NASHVILLE — As accounts of sexual abuse in churches increase, congregations are more aware than ever that background checks for volunteers and staff are now a necessity and not an option to consider.

A 2018 survey, conducted by LifeWay Research in Nashville, revealed that 12 percent of Protestant pastors say someone on church staff has sexually harassed a congregation member at some point in the church’s life, while 16 percent say a staff member has experienced sexual harassment in a church setting. [Read more…]

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AMAZING GROWTH: FROM 45 TO 400-PLUS

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

Pastor David Mackens stands outside the current sanctuary of Lone Oak Baptist Church in Cumberland Furnace. Under his leadership the church has grown from about 45 to more than 450. The church is in the process of building a new facility in the nearby Cunningham community of Montgomery County.

CUNNINGHAM — David Mackens is well aware there are not many openings for former Pentecostal pastors in Southern Baptist life.

But nearly 12 years ago, there was an opening at Lone Oak Baptist Church in Cumberland Furnace and Mackens was asked to preach one Sunday. Though he was, indeed, a former Pentecostal pastor, they asked him to come back and serve on an interim basis until the church found a pastor.

Mackens agreed, but made it clear the pastor would not be him. He was wrong. In December of 2007, the church called him as pastor and he accepted. [Read more…]

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RETIREE FOLLOWS GOD’S CALL TO PASTOR HIS FIRST CHURCH

Four Mile Baptist, a congregation of 28, had five baptisms in 2018

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

David Oliver and his wife, Carol, recently attended the Bivocational Ministers and Wives Retreat for the second time. Oliver became pastor of his first church slightly more than a year ago at the age of 68.

PIGEON FORGE — At an age when most pastors are stepping away from the ministry or moving into interim or supply work, David Oliver did just the opposite.

At the age of 68, Oliver became pastor of Four Mile Baptist Church in Maryville.

And, what’s more, God blessed in a mighty way. His small congregation of 28 people saw five people baptized last year, along with four other additions. The church also started a special-needs class and began a nursing home ministry. [Read more…]

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FRIENDSHIPS FORMED AT RETREAT STILL GOING STRONG 10 YEARS LATER

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

Pastor Jim Haggard, Middlebrook Pike Baptist, Knoxville, and his wife, Patty, have experienced life-changing connections at the Bivocational Ministers and Wives Retreat.

PIGEON FORGE — When he was invited to the Bivocational Ministers and Wives Retreat for the first time, Jim Haggard wasn’t even sure if he wanted to go.

Ten years later, he now considers it to be one of the best decisions he’s ever made.

Haggard, the pastor of Middlebrook Baptist Church in Knoxville, was dealing with the death of both of his parents — who had passed away about two months apart — when he was invited to attend the retreat. [Read more…]

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TESTIMONY OF A BIVOCATIONAL PASTOR

By Roger Britton
Pastor, Whites Creek Baptist Church, Rockwood

Roger Britton of Whites Creek Baptist Church, Rockwood, speaks during the recent Bivocational Ministers and Wives Retreat in Pigeon Forge.

On Jan. 12, 1997, my wife Kathy, daughter Kacie and son Cody and I began our ministry when I became the pastor of Whites Creek Baptist Church in Rockwood. Kathy and I were married in 1979 and had been in ministry from day one of our married lives.

We started out as bus ministry director and children’s church pastor at First Baptist Church, Austinville, in Decatur, Ala. Then, we moved on to music director, youth pastor, associate pastor and a list of other duties through the years as God led us. [Read more…]

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UNSUNG HEROES: MEET SOME OF TENNESSEE’S BIVOCATIONAL PASTORS

The ARMENTAS

Pastor’s name: Jose Armenta
Wife’s name: Carolyn
Church: Rio Grande Mission Church
City (of church): Church Hill
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Carpenter
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? Sharing God’s Word with lost people.
How do you juggle the role of being a pastor along with your other job? My other job understands that I am a pastor first.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Jose: The conference gives us time to relax, to grow as a pastor and to fellowship.
Carolyn:  The conference gives us a chance to be with people who understand us and love us.

The CARVERS

Pastor’s name: Jonathan Carver
Wife’s name: Brooke
Church: Shepards Chapel Baptist Church
City (of church): Rogersville
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Information Technology support specialist; Brooke is a nurse practitioner.
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? I believe seeing restoration in the lives of individuals is every pastor’s favorite part.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Jonathan: This has been a wonderful conference, with great singing, inspirational messages, motivational sessions. It has been refreshing to fellowship and share with other pastors that face the struggles of balancing life, family, work and pastoring!
Brooke:  The entire conference has been a blessing, from the fellowship with our brothers and sisters to the uplifting messages we have heard. The worship is powerful. This was our first experience of coming to the retreat. We will definitely plan to return next year.

The COGGINSES

Pastor’s name: Mark Coggins
Wife’s name: Cathy
Church: Sugar Tree Baptist Chapel
City (of church): Holladay
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Self employed Construction and Home Remodeling
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? Serving the Lord is, of course, the most rewarding, and I enjoy seeing people experience the true, living God and I am blessed enough to watch them grow.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Mark: Each year, we look forward to being refreshed and the encouragement we receive while here. The preaching and teaching we receive is a much-needed experience and time for me, personally.
Cathy:  It’s nice to come and feel encouragement from others. To be able to share and pray with others who are going through the same things means a lot (to us).

The HARBINS

Pastor’s name: Bradley Harbin
Wife’s name: Jennifer
Church: Enterprise Baptist
City (of church): Morristown
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Electrical Engineer
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? Seeing others grow in Christ.
How do you juggle your duties as a full-time pastor and the responsibilities of your “other” job? Not very well (sometimes), but God leads!

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Bradley: (One of my favorite parts was) spending time with just my wife. (I also enjoy) the great preaching and the (overall) refreshing.
Jennifer:  (I enjoy) the time in the Word and the fellowship with the other wives in the ministry.

The HICKSES

Pastor’s name: Tecky Hicks
Wife’s name: Linda
Church: First Baptist Church, Surgoinsville
City (of church): Surgoinsville
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Cattle Farmer
How do you juggle your duties as a full-time pastor and the responsibilities of your “other” job? God first, family second, church third, and God giving the increase.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Tecky: It provides for me more insights I need from men of a like faith.
Linda:   A retreat from the busy everyday life. (And I) enjoy seeing old friends and hearing all the dynamic preaching.

The MARTINS

Pastor’s name: Barron V. Martin, Sr.
Wife’s name: Andrea
Church: One Faith Christian Center
City (of church): Millington
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Refrigeration/HVAC technician
How do you juggle your duties as a full-time pastor and the responsibilities of your “other” job? I prayed and asked the Lord to balance my time and my wife fills all the gaps.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Barron: The conference has solidified my wife and I as a team.
Andr’ea: The Conference has given me the time I needed alone with my husband. It has given us or reminded us of who we are to each other. I enjoyed the preaching, the Shepherd Family, and the wives’ groups.

The McCREARYS

Pastor’s name: Hobbie McCreary
Wife’s name: Kathy
Church: Grace Baptist
City (of church): Johnson City
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Fiscal director
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? Sharing the gospel, providing messages that equip the church, developing relationships and encouraging others.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Hobbie: (It) provides encouragement, time to refocus, time to draw closer to God and wife. I enjoyed the preaching, worship together (great to hear all the pastors singing together) and meeting other pastors and their wives to discuss family and ministry challenges.
Kathy:  I enjoyed the conference greatly. The preaching, fellowship, and I really like the women’s meetings — discussing the challenges of being a pastor’s wife and the blessings. Good time of fellowship.

The MURRAYS

Pastor’s name: Bill Murray
Wife’s name: Kristie
Church: Greenwood Baptist
City (of church): Johnson City
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Contractor
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? Being able to both serve God and draw close to Him and at the same time help others do the same.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Bill: The fellowship with the other bivocational pastors across the state as well as the encouragement.
Kristie:  This conference encourages us to continue in our God-given call to reach the lost and make disciples. I find this to be a place where you can be real and share your struggles.

The NICKELLS

Pastor’s name: Ronald Nickell
Wife’s name: Rhonda
Church: Pine Orchard Baptist
City (of church): Oakdale
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Bodyshop office
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? Meeting the physical and spiritual needs of God’s people.
How do you juggle your duties as a full-time pastor and the responsibilities of your “other” job? I try to do my best at both (jobs). But yet focus on the things that are a priority in my life.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Ronald: (It’s a time of) meaningful fellowship and messages that encourage and challenge me.
Rhonda:  It renews the soul and you have a chance to meet new friends.

The SIMMONSES

Pastor’s name: Josh Simmons
Wife’s name: Bethany
Church: College Grove Baptist
City (of church): College Grove
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Service manager at equipment dealer
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? I love talking to people and discipling men. Time spent outside the four walls, living out Jesus’s commandment to love one another is time well spent.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Josh: Hearing different peers’ perspective and someone else’s preaching fills our souls. Our commitment is renewed in the prayer times and our emotions are stirred by the beautiful music.
Bethany:  So often we spend all of our time pouring into others. Being a pastor’s wife can be lonely and exhausting. This retreat has given us a renewed spirit! It has been encouraging and a wonderful time to focus on us and our relationships with Jesus.

The WEBBS

Pastor’s name: Travis Webb
Wife’s name: Christina
Church: Westview
City (of church): Morristown
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Food City, Lighting
How do you juggle your duties as a pastor and the responsibilities of your “other” job? Priority is a must: Jesus first, everything else second. It’s easier said than done, but when I do, the balance is right.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Travis: This conference is great and allows me to be refreshed in the ministry. I learn something new every year.
Christina:  This conference has always been great and enjoyable. It gives us a chance to be with other ministry couples and catch up. We hear good preaching and always come home with new ideas.

The YOUNGS

Pastor’s name: Matthew Young
Wife’s name: Janna
Church: Laurel Bank Baptist
City (of church): Friendsville
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Rosenberg Assistant Professor of Practice at University of Tennessee
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? Watching people mature in the faith as they recognize the sufficiency of God’s Living Word.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Matthew: It was helpful to have a few days to get to know the TBMB staff. (Also) fellowship with other bivo pastors and wives was encouraging.
Janna:  Being new to being a pastor’s wife, it was great to meet other wives from our association and surrounding areas.

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