Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

CALL UPON GOD DURING ‘DAYS OF TROUBLE’

By Charles Fowler
B&R Guest Columnist
President, Carson-Newman University 

Charles Fowler

When my heart is anxious, my circumstances troubling, and the way forward seems uncertain, the Psalms are a wonderful source for encouragement and instruction. While Psalm 50:15 is not talking directly and specifically about COVID-19, I believe that it provides some principles that do help us interpret these difficult days and respond faithfully. 

Psalm 50:15 – “and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” (ESV)

This verse allows us to see at least two truths about days of trouble.

(1) They happen — “and call upon me in the day of trouble; …”

Perhaps we can all take a moment and reflect on this truth. My guess is that every person reading this devotion can share personal stories related to days and seasons of trouble that have visited you and your family.  [Read more…]

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SBC ENTITIES, STATE CONVENTIONS FACE PANDEMIC-INDUCED CUTS

By Margaret Colson
The Alabama Baptist

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Numerous Southern Baptist entities, including state conventions, seminaries and national entities and auxiliaries, are implementing budget and staff reductions in response to the economic downturn resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

State conventions were among the first entities to take significant budgetary action during the pandemic. While approaches have been varied, the focus of reducing expenses has been the common factor among state conventions, including the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions and other contiguous state conventions. [Read more…]

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ONLY GOD PROVIDES TOOLS TO FACE PANDEMIC

By Donna Gaines
Guest Columnist

Donna Gaines

We have all added words to our vocabulary recently. Words like: quarantine, masks, hand sanitizer, social distancing, COVID-19 and “safer at home” mandates. These are all words and concepts that only three months ago, none of us were using. That was before we became part of a worldwide pandemic. 

As ministers’ wives, much of the time we are called upon to minister to people in the midst of crisis. What keeps you going when the going is toughest? Where do you find the wisdom and strength to meet the demands of ministry in the midst of a worldwide pandemic? 

Most of us did not attend seminary. Many of us worked full-time while our husbands went to school and worked part-time. Although our seminaries offer excellent classes to help prepare seminary wives for their upcoming position, a class can never train us in all the varied roles churches anticipate we will fill. Nor can they fully prepare us for the difficult roads we will have to walk with those to whom we minister.  [Read more…]

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BE STILL: TRUSTING GOD AMID SELF-QUARANTINE

By Kenneth E. Ware
B&R Guest Columnist
Pastor, New Sholar Avenue Baptist Church, Chattanooga

Kenneth Ware

Amid such difficult and tumultuous times today, if we are not careful, we may tend to complain and grumble about our present circumstances. 

Tornado threats, power outages, loss of employment, damaged houses, demolishment of cherished possessions, loss of loved ones, lack of food, canceled church services until further notice, social distancing and shelter in place ordinances are only a few repercussions of the global impact of the present COVID-19 pandemic. 

It may seem natural to ask yourself the question, “What will happen to me next?” 

The sons of Korah, of the Levitical priesthood, have some choice words of encouragement to share with us today as we face such turbulent days of uncertainty. God is our refuge, refresher and rest.  

(1) God is our refuge   (Psalm 46:1-3)

Faith is worthless until it has been tested by the fires and floods of life. The more our faith is tested, the more our faith grows in God.  [Read more…]

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LIFEWAY CREATES CHURCH ASSISTANCE PACKAGE

By Aaron Earls
LifeWay Christian Resources writer

As churches adjust to ministry in a post-COVID-19 world, LifeWay has developed a collection of resources to help congregations.

The new Church Assistance Package from LifeWay is available for any congregation around the world and can be accessed at lifeway.com/churchassistance.

“LifeWay wants to do everything we can to help churches sustain their vital ministries during this time,” said Ben Mandrell, president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. “Because of this, we have been working on solutions for supporting local churches as they seek to grow together as disciples during this season and walk with them as they begin rebounding.” [Read more…]

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RURAL CHURCH MAKES CONNECTIONS DURING CORONAVIRUS

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Pastor Bruce McCartney (near porch rail) and members of Sandhill Baptist Church, Gleason, lead a worship service at a member’s home during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.

GLEASON — When people could not come to Sandhill Baptist Church in Gleason, the church went to the people. Well, sort of.

Pastor Bruce McCartney and his wife, Vicki, and other church members have been going to each member’s home in recent weeks to deliver packets of materials which the families can read together.

Sandhill is a small rural church with about 25 to 30 active members, said pastor Bruce McCartney. The church’s location definitely fits in with social distancing guidelines as it is out in the country, he noted. “There’s not a house in sight.” [Read more…]

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TENNESSEE GOVERNOR SHARES GUIDELINES FOR REOPENING CHURCHES

Baptist and Reflector

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee. — File photo from Facebook video screen capture

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released guidelines May 1 for churches as they consider gathering together for worship.

“Tennessee’s faith leaders have been incredibly innovative in finding alternative ways to worship that incorporate social distancing so they can continue to provide spiritual guidance, fellowship, and service to their neighbors during these challenging times,” Lee said in a written statement.

“Religious liberty is important and must be protected, and that’s why the State has always deemed religious services as essential gatherings throughout this pandemic. As we look to reopen our economy in a safe fashion, the decision on in-person gatherings will be up to each individual faith community.  [Read more…]

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FEW PROTESTANT CHURCHES MET IN PERSON FOR WORSHIP SERVICES IN APRIL

By Aaron Earls
LifeWay Christian Resources writer

NASHVILLE — As federal, state and local governments weigh relaxing stay-at-home guidelines, most churches continued to avoid gathering physically throughout April.

Nine in 10 Protestant pastors say their congregations did not meet for an in-person worship service last month, according to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research.

A previous study from LifeWay Research found 99 percent of churches gathered physically at the beginning of March, but that dropped to 7 percent by March 29. 

Despite Easter falling during the month, churches continued to avoid meeting in April. The latest LifeWay Research survey found those choosing to gather in person remained flat on April 5 and April 12, Easter Sunday, at 7 percent. Fewer gathered on April 19 (4 percent) and April 26 (6 percent). [Read more…]

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LIFEWAY TO DISCONTINUE WORLD CHANGERS PROJECTS AMID COVID-19

By Carol Pipes
Director of corporate communications, LifeWay 

World Changers participants perform a project in Chattanooga. — Photo provided by LifeWay

NASHVILLE — LifeWay Christian Resources announced this week they are canceling World Changers mission projects for summer 2020 and closing all future operations due to declining numbers and the inability to host projects this summer because of COVID-19.

“We are sad about the closing of World Changers, but we know now is the time to make this decision based on more than 10 years of decline in participants and the current financial impact related to the coronavirus pandemic,” said Ben Trueblood, director of Student Ministry at LifeWay.

Since 1990, World Changers has provided students and adults with opportunities to meet the physical and spiritual needs of others by making repairs for low-income homeowners at no charge. Volunteers donated a week of their time in the summer, often sleeping on classroom and gymnasium floors at local schools, while tackling projects like building wheelchair ramps, applying fresh coats of paint, and replacing windows and siding.  [Read more…]

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THE CERTAINTY OF GOD’S GLOBAL GLORY REMAINS

By Todd Brady
Vice President for University Ministries, Union University

The last month and a half has been surreal.  COVID-19 has meant that nothing has been the same.  Everything has changed.  No normal routine.  No getting out.  No going to the movie.  No baseball.  No graduation ceremonies.

Don’t get close.  Don’t go to school.  Don’t go to church.  Don’t touch your face.  All the focus seems to be on what can’t be done and on what is not happening. [Read more…]

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