Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
November 19, 2020
‘Barbershop conversation’ focuses on steps needed for racial equality By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector ddawson@tnbaptist.org MURFREESBORO — Among the many powerful moments of the 2020 Virtual Summit was the “barbershop conversation” with Grant Gaines and Ternae Jordan. The two pastors got together to discuss the topic of racial justice, and how the Bible promotes […]
November 6, 2020
By Diana Chandler Baptist Press SALEM, Ore. — Oregon will become the first state in the nation to decriminalize possession of small amounts of drugs including Oxycodone, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine beginning in February 2021. Voters approved the measure on Election Day by a margin of 58.6-41.4 percent and concurrently approved by 66.7-33.3 percent a […]
September 23, 2020
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector lwilkey@tnbaptist.org FLINTVILLE — Perhaps no one knows better than Don Pierson how desperately the United States needs to be intimately connected with God through prayer during this point in the nation’s history. In a nation filled with fear over COVID-19, increasing racial turmoil and divide and a country […]
August 21, 2020
Student pastors, leaders finding new ways to “do ministry” amid pandemic By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector ddawson@tnbaptist.org FRANKLIN — When the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic first began impacting daily lives, many youth pastors were sent scrambling. The entire landscape of youth ministry changed almost overnight. Trips and events were postponed or canceled. On-campus […]
August 5, 2020
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector lwilkey@tnbaptist.org In today’s world, anyone who stands boldly on the Word of God will be ridiculed and criticized. Yet, it’s really not an option to not stand firmly on God’s Word. As Christians, we really don’t have a choice if we have truly given our lives over to […]
July 9, 2020
By Todd Brady Vice President for University Ministries, Union University Some of society’s half-baked thinking has been exposed and mocked recently by conservative pundit, Jesse Kelly. Last week, Kelly tweeted “Yale University was named for Elihu Yale. Not just a man who had slaves. An actual slave trader. I call on @Yale to change it’s […]
July 8, 2020
Baptist Press WASHINGTON — Pro-life leaders expressed deep disappointment with the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal 29 to uphold a Louisiana law designed to protect the lives and health of women by requiring hospital admitting privileges for doctors who perform abortions. In a 5-4 decision, the high court ruled the law — which mandated a physician […]
June 12, 2020
By Art Toalston Contributing writer, B&R Warmhearted feelings amid the pandemic can be hard to come by. Maybe you’ve been venturing out to help neighbors with limited mobility or carrying a batch of fresh cookies to their doorstep. You might be enjoying warmhearted moments of connecting with your family there at home or in video […]
June 10, 2020
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, B&R For decades, Elmer Fudd terrorized Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny with his rifle. Daffy and the “wascally wabbit” probably couldn’t care less that Elmer Fudd’s rifle has been taken away. His bullets always missed. Now, in a new “reboot” of the classic cartoons, Elmer Fudd can be seen wielding a […]
June 4, 2020
By Ternae Jordan, Charles Grant & Thomas Bester Tennessee Baptist Mission Board It’s a familiar story. Black man is taken into custody by a police officer and is murdered. Arrests follow, press conference held, speeches made, people march, people riot, politicians posture, reform is promised. Nothing changes. The pages of this tired script are frayed […]
June 1, 2020
By Baptist Press staff NASHVILLE — Southern Baptist leaders have published a statement grieving the recent death of George Floyd and calling for the end of “racial inequity in the distribution of justice in our country.” The statement, co-authored by SBC president J.D. Greear and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary president Jamie Dew, was unanimously […]
May 29, 2020
By Chris Turner cturner@tnbaptist.org I had an incident with a black teenager this morning at exactly 6:53 am while on my morning walk in my overwhelmingly white suburban neighborhood located in one of the wealthiest counties in the country. He approached me dressed in a patterned white t-shirt, a pair of shorts I’d never pay […]