Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
June 2, 2016
By Jim Collier Senior Pastor, Kirby Woods Baptist Church, Memphis Over the past several years, Tennessee Baptists have grappled with their direction and purpose. Led by Randy C. Davis, we were asked to examine our efforts and determine the way forward. Emerging from this examination, Tennessee Baptists have applauded and embraced our Five Objectives: more […]
June 1, 2016
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Most dictionaries define gout basically as a form of arthritis “characterized by severe pain, redness, and tenderness in joints.” Whoever wrote the definition apparently never had gout. Words can’t adequately describe the pain associated with gout. “Severe” is not a strong enough term. And, yes, I admit I […]
May 24, 2016
By Todd Brady Vice President for University Ministries, Union University Inclusivity is one thing. Impropriety is another. And decisions fueled by feelings are often unstable. After North Carolina passed a law recently stopping transgender people from using bathrooms for the gender they identify with, the Target corporation announced on a blog entitled, “Continuing to Stand […]
May 23, 2016
By Johnnie Godwin Contributing Columnist, B&R Thirty-five years ago, citified Johnnie and Phyllis bought 56 acres of rough ridge we call Godwin’s Mountain. We love that mountain but need help with things I can’t do. And when I need help, I’ve got people. What one of my people told me characterizes what an intergenerational church […]
May 20, 2016
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector On Mother’s Day, my wife Joyce and I attended the baby dedication of our youngest grandson, Parker Beasley, at Skypointe Church in Travelers Rest, S.C. It was a great day and we were blessed to be there for the service. Both of our grandchildren are under the age […]
May 19, 2016
By Roc Collins President, TBC Everybody has a name. It represents who you are. My given name identifies who I am and is used whenever I write a check, go to the dentist, or order a coffee at the coffee shop. Your name is your identification. Sometimes names are changed, as we see in the […]
May 17, 2016
By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director/Treasurer There is an old expression that states that about 80 percent of life is just showing up. That may be true, but it begs the question: So what do you do once you get there? That’s easy. Participate. That would be my advice to any minister or messenger wondering […]
May 9, 2016
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector It’s hard to believe that nearly 14 months have passed since God called Susie Edwards home to heaven. She died March 24, 2015 after a three-year battle with cancer. For more than 27 years Susie was the “voice” of the Baptist and Reflector. Call our general office number […]
May 6, 2016
By Carolyn Tomlin Contributing Columnist, B&R Rudyard Kipling once wrote, “God could not be everywhere, and therefore, he made mothers. Celebrated the second Sunday of May, Mother’s Day is recognized as a special time we pay tribute to our mothers. Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia, recognized as the founder of Mother’s Day, petitioned Congress in 1914 […]
May 6, 2016
By Marty Duren Social Media Strategy Manager, Lifeway When Facebook’s membership grew beyond that of a few colleges and universities across America, millions of people piled on. A common refrain from those days was the formerly unwatched student who’s status, “Ugh. My mom’s on Facebook,” indicated a perceived loss of freedom. It wasn’t long before […]
May 5, 2016
By Jon Duncan Layman, Long Hollow Baptist Church, Hendersonville Having been around children as an educator for close to 20 years now, I remain fascinated at their inability to separate fact from fiction. More fascinating still is the unwillingness of adults to do the same. In children, this inability is biologically involuntary, cognitive limitation. In […]
May 4, 2016
By Chris Turner Director of Communications, TBC It can take a lifetime to build a stellar reputation. It only takes a single “tweet” to destroy it. That, in a nutshell, is the dark side of social media, especially for ministers (but true of everyone). Many still find it unbelievable that social media has that kind […]