Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
April 27, 2023
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and ReflectorI umpired several baseball games last week, and I could not help but laugh at the irony. The average age of the players was probably 16 or 17. The average age of the two umpires was between 65 and 70. Some would suggest that the old geezers hang up […]
April 26, 2023
By Matt Tullos Stewardship Specialist, Tennessee Mission BoardI sense a greater desperation as we approach this year’s National Day of Prayer on May 4 than I did in years past. Many parts of Tennessee are broken, struggling, mourning, debating and discouraged. We have been through so much as a people. Our culture is sliding into […]
April 20, 2023
By Cole RogersCSM associate, Belmont University / Tennessee Baptist Mission BoardChurches today realize they need to be reaching young adults in their community. A vision of winning and sending young adults out as disciplemakers is paramount for the church. In order to execute fruitful discipleship, churches must be willing to develop flexible strategies that consider […]
April 19, 2023
By Clay HallmarkPresident, Tennessee Baptist ConventionEvery moment of every day we are surrounded by change. We live in a time when nothing stays the same for very long (except maybe a Baptist church tradition). We marvel at all the technological advancements of our day. However, the technology that is new today will be outdated by […]
April 13, 2023
By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist and ReflectorThe Nashville community is still reeling from the tragic shooting that occurred March 27 at The Covenant School in Nashville. A 28-year-old woman and former student entered the school, opened fire and killed six people, including three 9-year-olds, before she was fatally wounded by the police. We may never know […]
April 13, 2023
By Randy C. DavisPresident and executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board Let’s be honest. Over the past few years there has been a lot of turbulence in the Southern Baptist Convention and a lot of that has been directed at the SBC Executive Committee, the SBC Sexual Abuse Task Force (SATF) and the Abuse Reform […]
April 6, 2023
By Matt TullosStewardship specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board Easter comes early at our neighborhood discount store. They’ve been at this Easter thing since February 15th. Since the day after Valentine’s, the Easter goods have dominated the center aisles of the store. And believe me, I know the timing. Like most guys, I’m usually […]
April 5, 2023
By Troy RustAssociational mission strategist, Holston Baptist Association, Johnson CityChurches exist at every point on the health spectrum, from imminent death to thriving growth. Many churches are dying because they haven’t done anything kingdom focused in years. Others are providing intentional discipleship but seem to want all the benefits to remain in house. Still other […]
April 4, 2023
By Chuck LawlessDean and vice president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C.I fear that many churches plan for weeks (or months) for Easter weekend, but then pray for only minutes over the weekend’s events. To counter this tendency, I encourage you to use this list to pray individually and corporately with intentionality throughout this […]
April 4, 2023
By Todd E. BradyVice President for University Ministries, Union UniversityThe dark and evil act which took place at Covenant School in Nashville on March 27 has weighed on many of us with especially deep and heavy incalculable grief. Maybe it looms larger because it’s just down the road. Maybe it’s because many of us personally […]
March 30, 2023
By Lonnie WilkeyEditor, Baptist and ReflectorCustomer service is a matter of perspective. What one person may deem acceptable may not be to another person. I think it is easier for folks to agree on what is bad customer service. I went into a popular fast food restaurant recently to buy some ice cream (for my […]
March 29, 2023
By Randy C. DavisPresident and executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission BoardAs a pastor, there were simply days that were more discouraging than others; days I was blinded to God’s goodness around me as I focused on the occasional wave of problems, carnal people and difficult situations. God gave me this fix. When I was having […]