Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
September 26, 2015
By Mark Wingfield Associate Pastor, Wilshire Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas One of the hardest jobs in a church these days is that of youth minister. Not just because the schedule of activities can be grueling or the work can be physically demanding. The reason, instead, is ever-increasing demands placed on churches and pastors for what […]
September 9, 2015
LifeWay news office NASHVILLE — Pastors believe not all divorces are created equal, but for many Americans any reason is as good as another according to new research from LifeWay Research. “Pastors make a distinction about the rightness of a divorce based on the reasons behind it,” says Scott McConnell, LifeWay Research vice president. “They […]
August 27, 2015
By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector MORRISTOWN — “Cowboy Church is not your traditional church,” said Kent Hightower, church planter/pastor of the Circle C Cowboy Church here, on a video produced by the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Folks connect with the church “because Cowboy Church is simple church. We use a simple message. […]
August 26, 2015
By Jeff Brumley Associated Baptist Press JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Congregational coaches are warning churches against becoming so fixated on Millennials and other young people that they ignore the surging population of Baby Boomers already in their midst. But those experts say most congregations simply aren’t ready to listen to that advice, especially when reaching out […]
August 21, 2015
By LifeWay Research Most Americans believe they are seeing an epidemic in the United States of people taking their own lives. But most Americans don’t view suicide as a selfish choice, and they don’t believe it sends people to hell, LifeWay Research finds. “Americans are responding with compassion to a tragedy that touches many families,” […]
July 28, 2015
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Editor’s Note: See opinion columns in the next several days on the topic of physician assisted suicide or death with dignity. NASHVILLE — The issue of physician assisted suicide (PAS) or death with dignity has surfaced in Tennessee. Earlier this year a bill which would have allowed doctors […]
July 15, 2015
By Jim Guenther TBC Attorney There needs to be some clarity about exactly what the Supreme Court’s decision did and did not do. The decision was about a civil right, the right of same sex couples to be licensed by the states to marry. It was an interpretation of the 14th Amendment, a citizen’s right […]
July 14, 2015
By LifeWay Research NASHVILLE—Americans evangelicals remain among the strongest supporters of the nation of Israel. Most believe God has plans for that nation, both now and in the future. And many of America’s preachers say Christians need to support Israel. Those are among the findings of a study of American attitudes toward Israel and […]
July 1, 2015
By LifeWay Research NASHVILLE—In a nation founded on religious liberty, most Americans believe God has a special relationship with the United States, and they’re optimistic the best is yet to come. Despite headlines lamenting the global decline of the United States since the Cold War, 54 percent of Americans believe the nation is on the […]
June 30, 2015
By Lonnie Wilkey/David Roach B&R/Baptist Press COLUMBUS, Ohio — With the decision of the United States Supreme Court on whether all states must recognize same-sex marriage still to come, Southern Baptists have made it clear where they stand. Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Columbus passed a resolution June 16 that declared […]
June 30, 2015
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Tennessee veterans reflect on what it means to be a patriot BRENTWOOD — Unlike oil and water, patriotism and Christianity can mix, agree three Tennessee Baptists with strong military ties. Though culture is changing and the country appears to be drifting more each day from the religious freedom […]
June 26, 2015
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Editor’s Note: The Baptist and Reflector will publish more in-depth articles about the significance of the Supreme Court’s decision and its potential impact on churches in the July 15 issue. WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled June 26 that same-sex marriage is protected […]