Lonnie Wilkey Archives - Page 2 of 10

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…]

COOPERATING CHURCHES – WHAT A BLESSING

July 11, 2018

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

Cooperation. Churches talk about it all the time. Churches actually practice cooperation when they participate through the Cooperative Program. But how often do churches truly practice cooperation by “cooperating” with each other? My guess is — not often enough.

The standard definition of cooperation is “the process of working together to the same end.”

In this week’s issue (see photos and story here) is an example of area churches working together to show the love of Jesus in their community. [Read more…]

THREE ESSENTIALS FOR BEING A GOOD DAD

June 13, 2018

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday, June 17. It’s a time set aside for children to honor or pay tribute to their dads.

I firmly believe that having the opportunity to be a father is one of the greatest privileges that God has ever given me. It’s also one of the hardest jobs I have ever had because of the responsibility that comes with the role.

Over the past few years authors have made a lot of money writing books “for dummies” — Football for Dummies, PCs for Dummies, etc.

Fortunately, God wrote the original book for “dummies” — the Bible, His Holy Word. God knew before He created the world that mankind could not make it on our own. We would need a lot of help and He has given that to us through His Word. [Read more…]

DOES NAMB REALLY NEED TWO DR OPTIONS?

May 30, 2018

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Lonnie Wilkey

For years, Southern Baptists have taken pride in disaster relief. Even when Southern Baptists were known for their infighting among themselves, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief was still viewed with respect and admiration across the nation.

When there was a disaster, the volunteers who wore yellow disaster relief T-shirts and caps were a welcome sight to people who had experienced a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, or any other event that disrupted lives.

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief was born in 1967. Today it encompasses 70,000 trained volunteers in all 50 states and 1,550 mobile units for feeding, chain saw, mud-out, childcare, and more. [Read more…]

THE PAST IS PAST: LET’S FOCUS ON THE NOW

May 16, 2018

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

I received a press release recently from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., about an address President R. Albert Mohler made during a “Leadership Briefing” on campus. His topic: George Washington.

Mohler had several kind things to say about our nation’s first president. Then he added the “but.” He referred to the fact that Washington owned slaves and observed that his legacy “is polluted by his short-sighted views on slavery and race.” Mohler may be right, but do we need to keep dwelling on our past? It’s not news. Washington and several of our nation’s founders owned slaves. It’s documented. It was part of the culture of the country at that time.

Did that make it right? No. Slavery is wrong in any era, including today when human trafficking is running amuck in our society. [Read more…]

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