LifeWay Archives - Baptist & Reflector

BRICK AND MORTAR VS. ONLINE: BOTH ARE NEEDED

April 17, 2019

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

LifeWay Christian Resources’ decision to close their “brick and mortar” stores by year end has caused some angst among Tennessee Baptists.

And, I admit, I’m one of them.

I understand their reasoning. According to their news release, LifeWay Christian Stores has experienced a decline in customer traffic and sales. Business is business, but in LifeWay’s case, it also is a ministry to the thousands upon thousands of Southern Baptist churches across our convention. [Read more…]

LIFEWAY TO FOCUS ON DIGITAL RETAIL, CLOSE BRICK-AND-MORTAR STORES

March 20, 2019

By Carol Pipes
LifeWay Christian Resources director of corporate communications

LifeWay Building

NASHVILLE — LifeWay Christian Resources is charting a new course in 2019 marking a strategic shift of resources to a dynamic digital strategy. As part of the transition, LifeWay will close its 170 brick-and-mortar stores in 2019. [Read more…]

MOST PASTORS SEE SPORTS GAMBLING AS IMMORAL, OPPOSE ITS LEGALIZATION

March 19, 2019

By Aaron Earls
LifeWay Christian Resources

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Americans are expected to wager more than $8 billion on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, but don’t bet on many pastors joining in.

A new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research found most pastors believe it is morally wrong to bet on sports, while few agree it should be legalized nationwide. [Read more…]

BREAKING NEWS: LIFEWAY’S WAGGONER NAMED ACTING PRESIDENT AND CEO

March 4, 2019

By Carol Pipes
Lifeway director of corporate communications

Brad Waggoner

NASHVILLE — LifeWay Christian Resources board chairman Jimmy Scroggins announced today that trustees have asked Executive Vice President Brad Waggoner to serve as acting president and CEO of LifeWay until a new president is named.

Waggoner will serve in the role previously held by Thom S. Rainer who announced his retirement in August 2018. [Read more…]

PASTORS: OFFERINGS SEE BOOST IN 2018

January 8, 2019

By Aaron Earls

LifeWay Christian Resources

NASHVILLE — The economic recovery has reached the offering plate, according to a study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research.

Today, eight in 10 Protestant pastors (79 percent) say the total offerings at their church this year are at or above last year’s levels, including 42 percent who say this year is ahead of last year. Few pastors (15 percent) say giving is not keeping pace with last year.

Those positive giving numbers have followed the economic upturn, said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research.

“The increases in offerings so many churches are experiencing coincide with what most economists refer to as ‘full employment,’ as well as increased wage growth in 2018,” McConnell said. [Read more…]

AMERICANS DIFFER ON HISTORIC CHRISTIAN VIEWS

November 6, 2018

By Carol Pipes
LifeWay Christian Resources

NASHVILLE — Six in 10 Americans say religious belief is a matter of personal opinion. For 7 in 10 Americans, such religious beliefs include one true God existing in three persons — Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But an increasing majority of Americans deny Jesus has always existed and many say the Holy Spirit is a force rather than a personal being.

Those are among the findings of a new study of American views on Christian theology from Nashville-based LifeWay Research.

“When the majority of Americans believe religious belief is more personal opinion than objective truth, then we expect to see contradictory beliefs as well as beliefs that change over time,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research.

The survey of 3,000 Americans was sponsored by Orlando-based Ligonier Ministries. Titled the “2018 State of Theology Study,” it is the third in a series of surveys examining Americans’ theological beliefs. Previous surveys were conducted in 2016 and 2014. [Read more…]

SURVEY REVEALS MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF SBC MINISTERS DON’T HAVE A WILL

September 28, 2018

Tennessee Baptist Foundation will assist ministers, laity with estate plans

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

FRANKLIN — The results of a recent survey about estate planning, contracted by the Nashville-based Southern Baptist Foundation, are disappointing but not surprising, said Bill Gruenewald, president of the Tennessee Baptist Foundation.

The survey, conducted by LifeWay Research, revealed that more than half of Southern Baptist pastors do not have a will, trust, living will, electronic will, legacy story or durable power of attorney with health care directives.

The survey also indicated that pastors age 18-44 are least likely to have a will (31 percent) or a durable power of attorney with health care directives (14 percent). Even among pastors closest to retirement (ages 55-64 and 65-plus), the portion of those who have a will is just barely a majority (54 percent), according to the survey. [Read more…]

LIFEWAY WORKERS ‘FINE’ AFTER BULLET DESTROYS WINDOW

September 21, 2018

By Diana Chandler
Baptist Press

No employees were injured when a bullet of unknown origin shattered a large fifth-floor window Sept. 20 at LifeWay Christian Resources new downtown Nashville complex. LifeWay photo

NASHVILLE — “Employees are fine” a day after a bullet destroyed a fifth-floor window at LifeWay Christian Resources’ downtown Nashville complex, company spokesperson Carol Pipes told Baptist Press. [Read more…]

A USEFUL TOOL

September 13, 2018

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

For most Tennessee Baptist churches, the beginning of September means it’s time to plan next year’s budget.

Having served on a church personnel committee in the past I know the challenges of trying to determine salaries and benefits for church staff. It’s not an easy task. Church staff members are under the same pressure to support their families as is someone who works in any other profession. Yet, it is imperative to work within the resources of the church. [Read more…]

THOM S. RAINER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM LIFEWAY

August 28, 2018

By Carol Pipes
Baptist Press

LifeWay President and CEO Thom S. Rainer, seen here at a trustee meeting in Ridgecrest, N.C., announced his upcoming resignation.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — LifeWay Christian Resources President and CEO Thom S. Rainer announced today (Aug. 27) his plans to retire in the coming year. [Read more…]

Tennessee Baptist Foundation will assist ministers, laity with estate plans

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