Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
March 18, 2020
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector lwilkey@tnbaptist.org In the early morning hours of March 3, Tennesseans were awakened by tornado sirens across Middle Tennessee. In just a few minutes (though it probably was an eternity to those directly impacted), the storms moved on to another portion of the state. The tornadoes left behind at […]
March 18, 2020
By Ronnie Floyd EDITOR’S NOTE: Ronnie Floyd is president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. NASHVILLE — The future before us is highly uncertain. What appeared just days ago to be a possible banner year for your church financially, may now be seen through your eyes as the pastor, as being threatened […]
March 13, 2020
By Randy C. Davis TBMB President & Executive Director It was 1939. War gathered in the distance as German military might rumbled like a deadly thunderstorm rolling across the open plains. Brits looked toward the horizon and saw dread tumbling their direction. It was inevitable. It was widely accepted that German bombers would darken the […]
March 12, 2020
By Bruce Chesser President, Tennessee Baptist Convention I have been talking to you for several months about the importance of Sunday School and the difference that it can make in your church. It is vital. Think about it. Sunday School is the only ministry of most of our churches that is for everyone of all […]
March 4, 2020
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector lwilkey@tnbaptist.org For a number of years the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention has come and gone without a lot of fanfare, a far cry from the late 1970s to the early 2000s when annual meetings were national news during the years of the “Conservative Resurgence.” Attendance […]
February 28, 2020
By Randy C. Davis TBMB President & Executive Director There is a growing reality that causes me great concern. I’m scanning the horizon looking for the billowing dust of reinforcements charging toward the spiritual battle, but all I see are wisps from the few. Where are the supply of recruits enlisted for world conquest? Where […]
February 20, 2020
By Chris Kelly Executive vice president, Tennessee Baptist Foundation On Dec. 20, 2019, President Donald Trump signed the SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up For Retirement Enhancement Act) into law with many of its provisions going into effect on Jan. 1, 2020. SECURE arguably makes some of the most sweeping changes in years to the […]
February 12, 2020
By Bruce Chesser President, Tennessee Baptist Convention In the Jan. 8 issue of the Baptist and Reflector, I noted the importance of Sunday School and how it can be a vital evangelism and discipleship tool within your church. Imagine if you told some foreign enemy that there were over 40,000 small gatherings across Tennessee (that’s a […]
February 5, 2020
By Lonnie Wilkey lwilkey@tnbaptist.org The cultural pressure to grant “acceptance” of the homosexual lifestyle is at an all-time high. Almost any bill considered by local, state and national government bodies is scrutinized to see if it is “gay friendly.” A case in point happened a few weeks ago in Tennessee. Tennessee legislators approved a law […]
February 4, 2020
By Randy C. Davis TBMB President & Executive Director Let me tell you about my friend Scott Helton. Scott is a schoolteacher. He is also a pastor. He isn’t “part time” at either. I’ve known Scott since he was a teenager and I was honored to be his pastor. He’s had a heart for ministry for […]
January 23, 2020
By Todd Brady Vice President for University Ministries, Union University Cars and pick-up trucks lined the driveway on a Saturday night. It was obvious that a bunch of men had descended on the home. We all were coming together for one purpose. There would soon be a wedding. Inside, men gathered around the island in […]
January 21, 2020
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector lwilkey@tnbaptist.org When the calendar rolled over to Jan. 1, 2020 a few weeks ago, the Baptist and Reflector reached a milestone. On Jan. 1 of 1835, the first issue of THE BAPTIST was produced. THE BAPTIST was the forerunner of the Baptist and Reflector. It was published before […]