Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

  • Home
  • Tennessee
  • SBC
  • Columnists
  • Culture
  • SS Lessons
  • Tennescene
  • Radio B&R

EQUIPPED AND ENCOURAGED FOR FAITHFUL SERVICE

February 18, 2021

By Charles A. Fowler
President, Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City

During these days of COVID-19, it seems that every task leaders perform takes longer, is more complex, and draws more criticism than appreciation. Consequently, many pastors and leaders of Christian ministries are discouraged, frustrated and even depressed. These are difficult days for all of us. None seem to be immune to the multitude of challenges resulting from this season of pandemic.

Like any other day, it is wise for us to look to Scripture for instruction. Having done this recently, I found my heart encouraged and my resolve for ministry strengthened. Allow me to share some insights related to Joshua 1:1-9. 

In verses 1-2, Scripture reminds us that God’s call is for Christian leaders who shepherd God’s people. God’s call is specific, personal, and timely. He clearly ordered Joshua’s steps and established him as the next leader of Israel. 

Thankfully, the Scriptures record much of Joshua’s life and leadership prior to his call to lead Israel. When we consider his life, we see several ways that God equipped Joshua for leadership. Here are at least four episodes in Joshua’s life where his leadership lessons were clearly foundational to his success as a future leader. [Read more…]

Facebooktwittermail

Filed Under: Featured, Opinion Column Tagged With: bible, Charles Fowler, Encouragement

LIVE DIFFERENTLY

August 10, 2020

By Mike Farmer
Director of Missions, McMinn-Meigs Baptist Association, Athens

In a world that is changing almost by the hour, most of us are longing for something stable and sure.  How does a person without faith in a living God face the chaos of the world today? Even if you have faith, these days can be difficult.

How do we find stability? We find it in the Bible. We find it in having a relationship with the God who created us. We find it by surrendering our lives to Him. 

Most of the world does not understand this concept. It sounds crazy to them. We have to remember that the god of this age (Satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot know the light of truth (II Corinthians 4:4). The evidence of this is displayed around us almost every day. [Read more…]

Facebooktwittermail

Filed Under: Opinion Column Tagged With: bible, daily living, gospel

CHURCHGOERS CONFIDENT IN THE BIBLE, BUT SOMETIMES FIND IT CHALLENGING

July 31, 2020

By Aaron Earls
Baptist Press

NASHVILLE — Most churchgoers say they can address doubts others have about the Bible, but half admit they have problems understanding Scripture on their own.

Despite repeatedly affirming confidence in their own abilities to explain and understand the Bible, a recent LifeWay Research study in partnership with Explore the Bible curriculum found 57 percent of Protestant churchgoers say they find it challenging to make sense of the Bible when they read it on their own.

One in 5 (19 percent) strongly agree, while 38 percent somewhat agree. Around 2 in 5 (41 percent) say they don’t find it challenging, including 16 percent who strongly disagree. [Read more…]

Facebooktwittermail

Filed Under: News, SBC Tagged With: bible, Trusting God's Word

HOW TO KNOW YOUR BIBLE AND EXPERIENCE GOD

August 27, 2019

By Johnnie C. Godwin
Contributing columnist, B&R

“Turn to Hezekiah 1:1 in your Bible for the text of today’s sermon.” In my high school days, the pastor of our large church would sometimes begin his sermon this way. Sure enough, you could hear some Bible pages begin to flip. 

Newbies or other folks would be searching for the book of Hezekiah. Then the pastor would chuckle and announce his real biblical text. He would add that he had just been testing how well we knew our Bible and that, of course, there was no Bible book named Hezekiah.  [Read more…]

Facebooktwittermail

Filed Under: Opinion Column Tagged With: bible, Bible study

READING YOUR BIBLE DAILY? STUDY GIVES CLOSER LOOK

July 5, 2019

By Aaron Earls
Baptist Press

NASHVILLE — Christians say the Bible is God’s Word, but even among Protestant churchgoers only a third spend time reading it every day, according to a study released Tuesday (July 2).

The 2019 Discipleship Pathway Assessment study from LifeWay Research, conducted Jan. 14–29, found those who regularly attend Protestant churches are inconsistent in their reading and thinking about Scripture. [Read more…]

Facebooktwittermail

Filed Under: Featured, News, SBC Tagged With: bible, Bible reading

Subscribe Classifieds Advertise About

Recent Posts

  • ‘BIBLICAL DIVERSITY DISCUSSION AT IMB WILL CONTINUE,’ CHITWOOD SAYS
  • CONSERVATIVE BAPTIST NETWORK RESPONDS TO SBC PRESIDENT’S REMARKS
  • CON RAÍCES EN GALLATIN, UNA NUEVA IGLESIA VIRTUAL ESTA ALCANZANDO AL MUNDO
  • CAMP CARSON (CARSON SPRINGS) IS A BETHEL
  • C-N SENDS MESSAGES OF HOPE TO STUDENTS, PARENTS

Tags

abortion baptisms Baptist Collegiate Ministries Bible: Acts Bible: Luke Bible: Matthew Bible: Psalms Carson-Newman University childhood Christmas church revitalization Cooperative Program coronavirus COVID-19 Disaster Relief education ERLC evangelism family Five Objectives Golden Offering homosexuality IMB international LifeWay Lonnie Wilkey Lottie Moon missions money NAMB pastors prayer racial reconciliation Radio B&R Randy C. Davis SBC SBC annual meeting sports Summit TenneScene Union University volunteers WMU Woman's Missionary Union youth

Recent Posts

  • ‘BIBLICAL DIVERSITY DISCUSSION AT IMB WILL CONTINUE,’ CHITWOOD SAYS
  • CONSERVATIVE BAPTIST NETWORK RESPONDS TO SBC PRESIDENT’S REMARKS
  • CON RAÍCES EN GALLATIN, UNA NUEVA IGLESIA VIRTUAL ESTA ALCANZANDO AL MUNDO
  • CAMP CARSON (CARSON SPRINGS) IS A BETHEL
  • C-N SENDS MESSAGES OF HOPE TO STUDENTS, PARENTS
  • PRAYER GROUP HELPS PASTORS’ WIVES CONNECT

Tags

abortion baptisms Baptist Collegiate Ministries Bible: Acts Bible: Luke Bible: Matthew Bible: Psalms Carson-Newman University childhood Christmas church revitalization Cooperative Program coronavirus COVID-19 Disaster Relief education ERLC evangelism family Five Objectives Golden Offering homosexuality IMB international LifeWay Lonnie Wilkey Lottie Moon missions money NAMB pastors prayer racial reconciliation Radio B&R Randy C. Davis SBC SBC annual meeting sports Summit TenneScene Union University volunteers WMU Woman's Missionary Union youth

Categories

Bible Studies for Life Culture Explore the Bible Featured News Opinion Column Radio B&R SBC Sunday School Lessons Tennessee Uncategorized

Copyright © 2021 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in