Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
July 19, 2025
By Lonnie WilkeyContributing writer, B&RCLEVELAND, S.C. — When Joseph Hudson was called as minister of music at First Baptist Church Cleveland, S.C., in 2010, he wanted to get to know the members of his new congregation. “Some of my mentors in ministry had advised me that to be successful in ministry, you need to love […]
July 16, 2025
By Carol Pipes BRENTWOOD — Lifeway Christian Resources trustees named an interim CEO and began the initial steps to search for a successor to President and CEO Ben Mandrell during a special-called meeting July 15. Trustees have asked Lifeway’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Joe Walker to serve as interim president and CEO […]
July 15, 2025
By Shawn HendricksThe Baptist PaperKERRVILLE — While Baptist Disaster Relief teams are meeting immediate needs in central Texas, some clean-up efforts in areas like Kerrville may be on hold another two to four weeks before they are accessible, says a DR leader. For now, DR teams continue providing critical aid where they can in the […]
July 10, 2025
By Laura ErlansonBaptist PressWASHINGTON (BP) – Colossians 1:9, Ephesians 4:1 and Micah 6:8 were among the Scripture passages touched on in a prayer offered at the opening of the U.S. Senate this morning (July 9) by SBC President Clint Pressley. “Fill us with the knowledge of your will in all wisdom and understanding, that we […]
July 4, 2025
By Aaron EarlsLifeway Christian ResourcesBRENTWOOD — Most pastors say their churches have policies in place to address significant misbehavior by church members, but few have actually used those policies recently. According to a Lifeway Research study of more than 1,000 U.S. Protestant pastors, only 1 in 6 say their church has formally disciplined anyone in the past year. […]
June 30, 2025
ERLC news officeWASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a major 6-3 victory June 27 in Mahmoud v. Taylor, ruling that parents have a First Amendment right to exercise their religious beliefs and should have the ability to opt their children out of public-school curriculum promoting radical gender ideology. The decision represents a significant win […]
June 26, 2025
By Chuck LawlessBaptist PressYou know my heart for the nations that don’t know Christ. At the same time, though, Jesus called us to reach our Jerusalem – our community where we live – even as we go to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Here are some simple ways to move your congregation in […]
June 24, 2025
By Brandon Porter, Laura ErlansonBaptist PressNASHVILLE (BP) – The Tennessee Supreme Court will hear the appeal of the Southern Baptist Convention as it tries to protect its constitutional rights in a case connected to an inquiry by the SBC Credentials Committee. Preston Garner, a longtime worship pastor and school music teacher, and his wife Kellie filed suit […]
June 23, 2025
By Brandon PorterBaptist PressWASHINGTON (BP) – Saying now is the time for peace, Pres. Donald Trump announced through social media a “very successful attack” on three nuclear weapons sites in Iran Saturday night (June 21). Trump’s announcement of American action came 10 days after Israel began missile attacks to drive back Iran’s production of nuclear weapons. The […]
June 18, 2025
By Chris TurnerEditor, Baptist and ReflectorChildren Protected from Puberty Blockers, Court Rules WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on June 18, 2025, in favor of a Tennessee law banning medical treatments and procedures, including puberty blockers, for transgender adolescents seeking gender transition. In United States v. Skrmetti, the court upheld a lower court’s decision, […]
June 18, 2025
By Diana ChandlerBaptist PressYELEWATA, Benue (BP) – The 500 Christians had already fled terrorism at home and found temporary shelter in storefronts transformed into living quarters in downtown Yelewata. But as they slept overnight June 13, men identified as militant Fulani attacked from multiple sides. Shouting “Allahu Akhbar (God is great),” militants commenced an ungodly […]
June 17, 2025
The Baptist PaperMEMPHIS — As the Southern Baptist Convention celebrates 100 years of the Cooperative Program — the SBC’s giving channel for missions and ministry — a new book explores the future of this cooperative effort. Chris Forbes, a longtime Southern Baptist marketing strategist and consultant, wrote “The Next Era of the Cooperative Program,” based […]