Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
Baptist Press
DALLAS — The legal challenge to the constitutionality of the ministerial housing allowance is over — for now.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) announced June 14 it would not appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court its March judicial loss.
The decision concluded the latest effort to gain nullification of the allowance that is part of a 65-year-old federal law. [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
The National Football League held its annual draft in Nashville last week. By all accounts, it was a boost to the city’s (and state’s) economy. Thousands of people traveled to Nashville to watch their favorite teams draft the future of those squads.
I’m a football fan. I enjoy watching the Tennessee Titans, but I don’t “live or die” depending on how they play or even win or lose. The hoopla surrounding the draft is insane.
People begin talking about the draft and speculating on which players will end up with which teams, months before the draft takes place. By the time the draft rolls around in late April, I’m pretty much sick of it. Yet, I listened or watched most of the first night of the draft. Pretty unusual since I have been known to be asleep by 8:30 p.m. [Read more…]
C-N News Office
Carson-Newman University Student Success co-directors Gloria Walker, left, and Amy Humphrey sort through donations for the upcoming opening of “The Store,” a food and clothing pantry for students.
JEFFERSON CITY — Thirty-nine percent of college undergraduates fell at or below income eligibility limits for federal assistance in 2016 according to a recent USA Today story.
The story reports a national trend of students from low-income households enrolling at increasing rates.
As a result, some students are experiencing food insecurity or do not have access to professional clothing for job interviews.
It’s a reality that has hit close to home for those at Carson-Newman University. And it was enough that school employees wanted to do something about it. [Read more…]
By Matt Tullos
Stewardship Development Specialist, TBMB
What is normal? It’s pretty easy to answer that question. Our nation’s debt is over 21 trillion dollars. Average credit card debt is well over $6,000. So, if you want to be normal, just follow these seven easy steps and you’ll be totally normal! Seriously, I hope you don’t do any of these!
(1) When you reach your credit card limit move all the debt to a new credit card with lower interest rates. Set it and forget it. This works perfectly! You’ll be just like every other American. Before you know it you’ll have seven credit cards, with 15K on three, but you’ll have enough points you can stay at a two-star hotel at half price! [Read more…]
Baptist and Reflector
FRANKLIN — Jan. 10 proved to be a “red-letter day” in the life of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
The TBMB paid off the remaining balance of an $8 million loan that originated in 1999 to begin construction of Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center in Newport and Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center in Linden.
“God’s favor has been upon us over the last few years,” observed Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the TBMB. [Read more…]
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…]
By Matt Tullos
Stewardship Development Specialist, TBMB
Holidays can get complicated. If we don’t pay attention our debt grows, our peace shrinks and our stress expands. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Here are six ways you can make Christmas a simpler, more beautiful season:
(1) Heighten your gratitude. Paul reminds us that anxiety and gratitude don’t mix: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6). [Read more…]
By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
UNION CITY — The math is very simple at Second Baptist Church in Union City: no debt = more resources for missions.
For the first time in 15 years, Second Baptist Church is learning to live debt free, said Pastor Justin Hiens.
In 2003, Second Baptist began a relocation process that would eventually cost the church over $12 million. Hiens joined the church that same year (fresh out of Union University) as youth minister and served for almost five years before moving on to become pastor of churches in Georgia and Mississippi. [Read more…]
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…]
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…]
