Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

GUIDESTONE TO OFFER ONE-TIME OPTION TO CHANGE HEALTH COVERAGE DURING 2020

By Roy Hayhurst
Baptist Press

DALLAS — With many churches reporting strained budgets due to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, GuideStone is offering a one-time opportunity for both Group Plans and Personal Plans to step down to a lower-cost health care plan for the remainder of 2020.

Generally the option to change plans is available only during re-enrollment.

“We understand that we live in a very different economic reality than we did when most churches made their health plan elections for 2020,” GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins said. “This one-time step down opportunity may be able to help churches and ministries find some much-needed breathing room in their budget.” [Read more…]

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HOW TO WORSHIP ONLINE: SUGGESTIONS FOR CHURCH MEMBERS

By Scott Shepherd
Tennessee Baptist Mission Board Worship and Music Specialist

How are church members supposed to worship online? 

Worship is something we do. It’s active. We participate. 

Watching movies and tv shows online is different. It’s passive. We just sit and watch. We don’t really do anything.

For online worship to have its greatest impact, we should find ways to participate.  [Read more…]

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UNION DONATES SUPPLIES TO ASSIST IN COVID-19 EFFORTS

Union University news office

Union University

JACKSON, Tenn. — Union University is doing its part to assist health care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic by donating N95 face masks and medical supplies and by 3D printing components of face shields that help reduce risk of exposure.

Kelly Harden, dean of Union’s College of Nursing, said the university had donated more than 800 N95 masks and that all three campuses – Jackson, Germantown and Hendersonville – were involved.

“We’re health care providers,” Harden said. “We want our colleagues to be protected. We’re doing what we can do to help.”

The donation followed Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order asking for donations of medical supplies, Harden said. Paul Mayer, Union’s director of health services, also contributed N95 masks. [Read more…]

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FIRST-PERSON: HEALTHY HABITS FOR PASTORS DURING COVID-19 CULTURE

By Willie McLaurin

EDITOR’S NOTE: Willie McLaurin is vice president for Great Commission Relations and Mobilization with the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.

NASHVILLE — COVID-19 will forever change the way we do life and ministry. Change is around us in every area of life. God often uses crisis to bring about changes that were overdue in our lives. Author Tony Robbins reminds us: Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.

The coronavirus did not catch God by surprise. We must not waste this season, but we must embrace it and allow God to shape our lives for His glory. Many pastors and church leaders are past due for a RESET in their regular routine. I am convinced that we must take advantage of this season to reinvent ourselves physically, spiritually and emotionally.

Physically

Let me first acknowledge that more and more pastors are taking advantage of the benefits of regular physical activity. Health professionals continue to emphasize the benefits of regular physical activity. If you are in need of a physical tune-up, then this season is perfect for you. I would encourage you to carve out time in your calendar each day to engage in physical activities. [Read more…]

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FOUR WAYS TO SUPPORT MOST VULNERABLE DURING THE PANDEMIC

By Susan Ervien
Marketing strategist and writer, GuideStone Financial Resources

DALLAS — At this point, there is no running from it. The coronavirus (COVID-19) is here and having a particularly destructive impact on vulnerable populations.

In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 is more dangerous for those over the age of 60 and for those with underlying health conditions — such as COPD, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.

At GuideStone, the safety and well-being of this demographic is particularly important to us because of our Mission:Dignity ministry. We are currently honored to be serving more than 1,700 retired SBC ministers, workers and their widows struggling to pay bills, buy food and purchase medications — all of whom fall into this vulnerable category. [Read more…]

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HEALTHY ONLINE MEETINGS

By Bill Choate
Collegiate Ministries director, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board

There may be no greater axiom than this one: “Time is money.”

The application of that statement is universal, and it certainly applies to meetings. Meetings are important. That’s where organizational direction is set, decisions are made, groups get on the same page, and meetings offer an opportunity for clear communication and immediate feedback. However, when you’re meeting, you’re not working on the tasks that probably resulted from the last meeting.

Look at it this way. Law firms bill by the hour. Consider if you have several attorneys in a two-hour meeting huddled around their conference room table. Tick-tock, tick-tock…the meter is running but not making any money. Depending on the firm, the cost of that meeting could be over $15,000. [Read more…]

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IMB POSTPONES VOLUNTEER TRIPS THROUGH JUNE 30, PERSONNEL ‘SHELTER IN PLACE’

By Julie McGowan
AVP of communication, marketing and PR for the IMB

International Mission Board senior leaders have directed IMB missionary personnel around the world to postpone hosting any ministry volunteer groups through June 30, leaders announced Wednesday, March 25. Consideration of missionaries hosting volunteer teams beyond June 30 will be reviewed on May 1, leaders reported.

“We’re instructing our personnel to postpone all volunteer efforts at this time due to the uncertainty of health and travel for those traveling internationally, and also to comply with the State Department’s guidance,” said IMB President Paul Chitwood. “We strongly recommend that Southern Baptist volunteer teams postpone any travel during this time, particularly overseas travel.”

Chitwood said setting a parameter about volunteer teams is a complex issue because of the global nature of the virus, including with the United States being greatly impacted and movement becoming more restricted.   [Read more…]

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