Lonnie Wilkey Archives - Baptist & Reflector

A FRESH ROLL OF PAPER — HOW WILL WE USE IT?

January 10, 2019

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

The printed issue of the Baptist and Reflector goes to press every two weeks during the year.

The B&R staff prepares the copy, proofs it carefully (we have the two best proofers any publication could have in Mary Nimmo and Susan Dalton). David Dawson (TBMB communications specialist who writes for and designs the paper) and I also read it carefully prior to sending it to the printer.

Invariably, the paper is printed and we occasionally find something that we probably should have caught the day before. Fortunately, it doesn’t happen nearly as much as it used to and I attribute it to the dedication and diligence of our staff. [Read more…]

GETTING RID OF THE CLUTTER AT CHRISTMAS

December 18, 2018

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Clutter. We’ve all seen it. We know it when we see it.

In my case, I’m probably the king of clutter. People walk by my office, look at my desk and just shake their head and move on. I like to refer to my “mess” as “organized clutter.”

But no matter what “spin” I give it, I’m still guilty of cluttering my desk/office space with stuff. One dictionary definition defines clutter as a “disorderly heap of assemblage.” Another defines it as “to fill or litter with things in a disorderly matter” while yet another definition calls it “a state or condition of confusion.” [Read more…]

AN ICON IN BAPTIST JOURNALISM STEPS DOWN

December 5, 2018

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

Bob Terry, who retires Dec. 31 as editor of The Alabama Baptist, is joined by the state paper’s staff prior to a celebration of his 50 years with Baptist newspapers.
-Photo: The Alabama Baptist

Long before I joined the staff of the Baptist and Reflector in 1988 I worked on the staff of the former Education Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, an entity that was disbanded in the mid-1990s as part of the restructuring of the convention.

While serving as director of communications for the Education Commission I had the privilege and opportunity to write for Baptist Press on occasion and work in the newsroom during the annual meeting. [Read more…]

REMEMBER THE SIMPLE BLESSINGS THIS THANKSGIVING

November 21, 2018

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

With Thanksgiving drawing near on Nov. 22, I want to share a neat story that took place nearly two weeks ago.

In the Oct. 24 issue of the Baptist and Reflector, we ran a feature story on Ivan Raley, pastor of First Baptist Church, Byrdstown. Raley is an 80-year-old longtime Tennessee Baptist pastor and former Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home administrator. Fourteen months ago, Raley was diagnosed with stage four non-alcoholic related cirrhosis of the liver, a terminal condition with no cure. [Read more…]

REMEMBER THIS: NOT VOTING IS NOT AN OPTION

October 23, 2018

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

We no longer live in a simple Democrat or Republican world. It’s no longer about whose policies are best for the greater good of the country. We have transitioned into a government where it is liberal versus conservative. It’s morality versus amorality.

Americans will go to the polls on Nov. 6. This is the last print issue before the election.

As editor of a religious publication I have no right or authority to tell anyone to vote for any individual and certainly not any political party. But I do have a moral responsibility to encourage our readers and members of our Baptist churches to vote. [Read more…]

‘YELLOW CAPS’ STILL MAKING A DIFFERENCE

October 9, 2018

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

I spent part of last week in and around the coast of North Carolina with William Maxwell, administrative director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, meeting some of the most dedicated servants of Christ anywhere — disaster relief volunteers.

Volunteers from all across Tennessee were helping North Carolinians recover from the devastation to their homes caused by Hurricane Florence earlier in September.

Though the high winds and heavy rains have been gone for nearly a month, flooding has continued and, as a result, many homeowners are just now getting their homes cleaned out by volunteers. [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…]

THE B&R: TELLING STORIES YOU MIGHT MISS ELSEWHERE

August 22, 2018

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

Many Tennessee Baptist churches are observing Baptist and Reflector Day on Sunday, Aug. 26. As a result, hundreds of Tennessee Baptists may be seeing their state paper for the first time. We hope it won’t be your last.

This issue of the B&R is filled with stories of some of God’s choice servants — people you probably have never heard of or maybe only recognize their name.

In this issue, you will meet Miss Dixie (see story here). Miss Dixie is no bigger than a minute but she’s a giant in her love for the Lord and her willingness to serve Him. You will meet or perhaps be reintroduced to Walter Grubb. Walter is an unsung hero among Tennessee Baptists. He led The King’s Academy (also known as Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy) for 22 years as president before he retired in July. [Read more…]

USE YOUR GOD-GIVEN PLATFORM TO GLORIFY HIM

August 9, 2018

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

Former UT quarterback Joshua Dobbs

God has a tremendous sense of humor.

Four years ago, in the fall of 2014, I was watching my beloved South Carolina Gamecocks play the University of Tennessee. Yes, I realize I was one of the few people in Tennessee pulling for the Gamecocks that night. The game was excruciatingly close. Several times late in the game, South Carolina would pull ahead of Tennessee and it looked like we might win. But every time we went ahead, Tennessee would respond, usually behind the passing or running of quarterback Joshua Dobbs.

Dobbs was a one-man wrecking crew that night, accounting for five touchdowns as Tennessee won that game, 45-42 in overtime. My heart was broken. Needless to say, I wasn’t a Dobbs fan, although I had to admire his grit and determination. He refused to lose that game. [Read more…]

THE MILLENNIAL AND THE DINOSAUR

July 27, 2018

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

Corinne Rochotte takes a “selfie” of the Millennial and the Dinosaur.

This is a bittersweet issue for me personally. It is the final paper designed by Corinne Rochotte who has been on our staff for the past three years.

When Corinne joined the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s Communication Team as a designer, the decision was made for her to design the paper, among her other tasks.

Typical of folks her age, Corinne knew what a newspaper was, but just barely. To her credit, she researched newspaper design, worked hard and before long was cranking out each issue like a pro. [Read more…]

Recent Posts

Tags

Categories