Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
December 24, 2019
Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention leaders Randy C. Davis and Bruce Chesser have followed up on a resolution passed by Tennessee Baptists at their annual meeting in November at First Baptist Concord in Knoxville with a letter to Tennessee’s state senators. Tennessee Baptists approved without opposition a resolution in support of life […]
December 11, 2019
By Aaron Earls LifeWay News Office NASHVILLE — As retail stores hope the holiday shopping season gives their bottom line a lift, American Protestant pastors are less sure the economy is helping their congregations this year. Around two in five pastors of Protestant churches in the United States (41 percent) say the economy is having […]
December 3, 2019
By Josh Wester Baptist Press NASHVILLE — The popular U.S. fast food chain, Chick-fil-A, Inc., recently announced a new policy concerning its charitable giving. According to an online statement, the policy, which will take effect in 2020, will focus the company’s charitable donations on the areas of hunger, homelessness and education. In 2019, the Chick-fil-A […]
November 14, 2019
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector lwilkey@tnbaptist.org In 2015, Tennessee legislators passed a state law that authorized local school boards across the state to put policies in place allowing students to be excused during the school day to attend a class in “religious moral instruction.” The freedom to have release time for biblical or […]
November 13, 2019
Tennessee church planters, volunteers shine light in Denver By Lonnie Wilkey & Chris Turner Baptist and Reflector DENVER — If you love hiking and skiing and other outdoor activities, Denver is the place to live. If you love Jesus, you might get lonely. People are flocking to Denver and its surrounding communities. In 2018, it […]
October 10, 2019
TBMB leads seminars on how to reach this easily-distracted demographic By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector ddawson@tnbaptist.org SHELBYVILLE — “Does anyone know what a slo-fie is?” asked Donna Blaydes as she glanced around the classroom filled with adults. After a few moments of mostly blank stares and silence, Blaydes explained that the term, which is […]
October 9, 2019
By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector ddawson@tnbaptist.org SHELBYVILLE — While leading a breakout session called “Parenting and Grandparenting Gen Z Kids” at the TBMB’s conference, Debbie Doane revealed 10 common characteristics among Gen Z-ers. Doane then discussed ways in which these characteristics shape relationships with this demographic. By learning more about their world, it becomes […]
October 7, 2019
By Diana Chandler Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) — Southern Baptists across Tennessee told Baptist Press they support Gov. Bill Lee’s plea for the state to fast and pray Thursday (Oct. 10). Tennessee Baptist Mission Board President Randy Davis, Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President Ronnie Floyd, Tennessee pastor and former SBC President Steve Gaines and […]
October 2, 2019
By Todd E. Brady Assistant Professor of Ministry and Vice President for University Ministries, Union University In 1949, George Lemer invented the Mr. Potato Head doll — a plastic body of a spud that could be decorated with various interchangeable parts like ears, eyes, shoes, a hat, a nose, and a mouth. As a kid, […]
September 30, 2019
The world is getting crazier by the day. When I was a kid, toys were a luxury. You usually received them on Christmas and birthdays. Now, kids get toys year-round, mainly from grandparents who spoil their grandkids (and I confess that I am among that number). Shame on us. But one toy my grandkids won’t […]
September 30, 2019
By Aaron Earls Baptist Press NASHVILLE — Most American evangelicals believe Jesus’ Golden Rule — “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” — applies to politics. Some, however, see the political realm leading up to the 2020 elections as no place for niceness, according to a new study. A LifeWay Research […]
September 17, 2019
By Aaron Earls Baptist Press NASHVILLE — What began as midweek prayer meetings in the 18th century have become an accepted part of congregational life in the vast majority of Protestant churches in America, a study released Tuesday (Sept. 10) shows. Nine in 10 Protestant pastors say they have some type of activity on Wednesday […]