Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
February 3, 2021
By Carolyn Tomlin Contributing Writer, B&R As a teacher of young children, I often observed how my students adapted to change and how they were ready for kindergarten. I recall one family who lived in an expensive house and drove costly automobiles. Mom and dad were so involved in careers that little time was left […]
February 2, 2021
By Randy C. Davis TBMB President & Executive Director It only takes a spark to start a controversy. It was just one article, but its publishing in 1896 ignited a flashfire reaction across the Southern Baptist Convention. Sides formed. People postured. Proverbial lines were drawn in the sand. Rhetorical flames fueled by passionate conviction rose […]
February 1, 2021
By Chris Turner Director of Communications, TBMB Looking for peace? Yeah, everyone is, right? You know, that inner peace that dispels anxiety and worry. People talk about the journey to get there, but are you sure you’re making the right journey? Can you even know? Actually, you can. The Bible talks about at least two […]
January 29, 2021
By Kevin Minchey Church revitalization team leader, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board As we move forward in 2021 it is the desire of the Church Revitalization Team to encourage pastors and their congregations to not be discouraged. II Chronicles 5:17 says “as for you, be strong and do not give up. Your work will be rewarded.” […]
January 28, 2021
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector lwilkey@tnbaptist.org Over the years I/Baptist and Reflector have been “killed” countless times, not with bullets but with words. Why? We have been the messenger — the bearer or deliverer of bad news or news that strikes those who read it negatively and causes them to blame the messenger, […]
January 25, 2021
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. […]
January 21, 2021
By David S. Dockery Interim provost, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Perhaps in recent weeks you have been given the opportunity to sing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” one of Charles Wesley’s great Christmas carols. The angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King: peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.” Nowhere is the […]
January 19, 2021
By Charles A. Fowler President, Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City The violence that took place at Capitol Hill on Jan. 6 is indefensible. It is an egregious violation of law and an extremely sad chapter in the history of our nation. Regardless of how justified some people who take such extreme and destructive actions may feel, […]
January 18, 2021
By Todd E. Brady Vice president for University ministries, Union University, Jackson When toddlers jabber made-up phrases, parents and grandparents say, “Aw, isn’t that cute?” When older adults utter nonsensical language, it’s usually sad. When national leaders use senseless words, it’s downright ridiculous. This week, I could hardly believe the recent headlines that told of […]
January 15, 2021
By Chris Turner cturner@tnbaptist.org Do Christians need to continue confessing sin after they’ve come into a relationship with Jesus Christ? I was recently asked that question by a friend who’d been told that continued confession is unnecessary. Since that conversation with him, I’ve heard and read others propagating that same perspective. I don’t know how […]
January 13, 2021
By Randy C. Davis President and executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board Racial tensions were high, extremely high. Riots flared and spread across the nation like wildfire. Hundreds of protestors were killed. Lynching was all too common and scarred our society. But it got worse. Politics and political parties were in upheaval, and in less […]
January 13, 2021
By Jerry Drace Evangelist/Senior Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church, Friendship As the last grains of sand ran out of the 2020 hourglass I read once again the speech of Russian dissident Alexander Solzhenitsyn given on June 8, 1978, at the Harvard University commencement service. They were profound at the time and prophetic for 2021. A portion of his speech […]