Baptist & Reflector
FRANKLIN — A series of listening sessions with Tennessee Baptist pastors and leaders with Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, has begun across the state.
“Over the next six weeks, I will be in 24 different locations across our state in what we are calling Collaborative Listening Sessions,” Davis said.
“As we begin our 10th year together (Davis became executive director in 2010), I want to hear from pastors, directors of missions and laypeople about what God is doing in their communities, discuss the future opportunities of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, cultural issues facing our state and the upcoming Summit in Knoxville,” he added.
Six listening sessions were held last week in Jackson, Adamsville, Memphis, Lexington, Franklin and Murfreesboro with attendance ranging in location from five people to 38.
“Attendance has been good at these sessions,” Davis acknowledged.
Randy C. Davis
He noted those in attendance have been open, especially when talking about the challenges they face as ministers and Baptist leaders. The challenges seem to be common to everyone, Davis observed.
Other topics discussed include the priority of where mission dollars should go, the new I Stand for Life Initiative (story here) and the upcoming Summit to be held at First Baptist Church, Concord, in Knoxville, in November.
Davis said the listening sessions have exceeded expectations thus far. “I have been blown away by the good things that I’m hearing about what the Lord is doing across our state.”
He expressed appreciation for the investment of time Tennessee Baptists have made to attend the sessions. “For the cause of Christ across Tennessee, it has been worth that investment,” Davis noted.
Upcoming listening sessions include:
Monday, Aug. 5 — Salem Association, Liberty, 10 a.m.; First Baptist Church, Cookeville, 2 p.m.; Cumberland Plateau Baptist Association, Crossville, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 13 — Spring Creek Baptist Church, Clarksville, 2 p.m.; JST Association, Bon Aqua, 6 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 19 — Weakley Baptist Association, Dresden, 10 a.m.; Western District Baptist Association, Paris, 2 p.m.; North Springfield Baptist Church, Springfield, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 20 — Lawrence County Baptist Association, Leoma, 10 a.m.; Sequatchie Valley Baptist Association, Jasper, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 21 — Hamilton County Baptist Association, Chattanooga, 10 a.m.; McMinn-Meigs Baptist Association, Athens, 2 p.m.;
Thursday, Aug. 22 — Holston Baptist Association, Johnson City, 10 a.m.; Nolachucky Baptist Association, Morristown, 2 p.m.; Sweetwater Baptist Association, Madisonville, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 27 — Duck River Baptist Association, Tullahoma, 6 p.m. B&R
