Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

TBMB LEADER DISCUSSES PASTORAL BURNOUT

By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Randy C. Davis

FRANKLIN — As the calendar rolled from April into May, TBMB leader Randy C. Davis reflected on the burden he feels for pastors and ministers who suffer from burnout.

In his monthly Radio B&R podcast (see Episode 30 here), Davis commented on the TBMB board of directors meeting held April 30 at Thompson Station Church. Actions included the formation of a special task force to study sexual abuse prevention and response and the purchase of property adjacent to the Baptist Campus Ministry facility at the University of Tennessee-Martin. See story in this issue. [Read more…]

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10 WAYS MINISTERS CAN MAXIMIZE VACATIONS

By Randy C. Davis
TBMB President & Executive Director

Randy C. Davis

I love vacations, but I have to work at them. I have trouble “turning off” the ministry mode.

When my youngest daughter was about 11, she said, “Daddy, I bet these folks hate to hear you’re on vacation.” When I asked her why, she said, “Because they know one of them is going to die.” There were too many vacations cut short or at least interrupted because the girls’ pastor-daddy had to go home to conduct a funeral. They never turned bitter, and even now remind me of the fun we had on family vacations, but I could have handled those times better as a pastor and a father. [Read more…]

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ESSENTIALS TO LOOK FOR IN A PASTOR

By Johnnie C. Godwin
Contributing Columnist, B&R

Pastors come and go in the lives of churches, but each one is critically important to the church. Pastors are God’s gift to a church and appointed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:11; Acts 20:38). Each real pastor has one essential at the heart of his calling and his role. 

Yet, many churches search for a pastor with minimal requirements instead of on the essential requirements. I believe I know what is required of a pastor; because I get it from the Bible. Let me share it with you. [Read more…]

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SOMEBODY TELL THE PASTOR HE’S NO COWBOY

By Randy C. Davis
TBMB President & Executive Director

Too often pastors develop an “old cowboy” mentality where they feel they need to “stay in the saddle” at all costs. Unfortunately, too many church goers feel their pastors should be old cowboys. That notion of pastoral “toughness” may sound romantic, but it rarely – if ever – ends well. Set aside the obvious sin of pride involved; no one can spiritually, emotionally or physically sustain it.

Pastor, if you feel you’re riding that horse, I’ve got four short statements of unsolicited advice you need to hear if you, your family and your ministry are going to survive. Somebody’s got to tell you so it might as well be me. I’ve ridden in that rodeo before. [Read more…]

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SAFE AND SECURE FROM ALL ALARMS

Examining the most important elements that keep your church safe

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

FRANKLIN — When addressing church leaders on the keys to making their facilities safe and secure, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board risk management specialist Mark LeMay often uses an old TV advertisement as a reference point.

“You remember the Fram oil filters commercials where the mechanic says ‘you can pay me now or you can pay me later,’ ” said LeMay during a recent safety seminar. “Well, that applies to church safety. It’s amazing how spending some money up front can save you from spending thousands of dollars down the road.” [Read more…]

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FIVE THINGS I LEARNED FROM PASTOR VIC WALLACE

J. Travis Tyler
Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Victor and Dot Wallace

On Sunday morning, Jan. 13, Pastor Vic Wallace preached his last sermon as pastor of Oak Hill Baptist Church in Jonesborough. Beginning in the mid-1950s, Pastor Wallace began a ministry lasting over six decades of pastoral ministry including Flag Pond, Mosheim, Mountain City, Kingsport, and Fall Branch. 

One of the longest pastorates was at First Baptist Church, Fall Branch, where I met him. His time at First Baptist which spanned 1975-1999 and 2003, 25 years in total, a rarity today. “Pastor Vic” led me to Christ at the age of 12 years old when he presented the gospel clearly to all the children at VBS in the summer of 1993. [Read more…]

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RETIREE FOLLOWS GOD’S CALL TO PASTOR HIS FIRST CHURCH

Four Mile Baptist, a congregation of 28, had five baptisms in 2018

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

David Oliver and his wife, Carol, recently attended the Bivocational Ministers and Wives Retreat for the second time. Oliver became pastor of his first church slightly more than a year ago at the age of 68.

PIGEON FORGE — At an age when most pastors are stepping away from the ministry or moving into interim or supply work, David Oliver did just the opposite.

At the age of 68, Oliver became pastor of Four Mile Baptist Church in Maryville.

And, what’s more, God blessed in a mighty way. His small congregation of 28 people saw five people baptized last year, along with four other additions. The church also started a special-needs class and began a nursing home ministry. [Read more…]

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FRIENDSHIPS FORMED AT RETREAT STILL GOING STRONG 10 YEARS LATER

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

Pastor Jim Haggard, Middlebrook Pike Baptist, Knoxville, and his wife, Patty, have experienced life-changing connections at the Bivocational Ministers and Wives Retreat.

PIGEON FORGE — When he was invited to the Bivocational Ministers and Wives Retreat for the first time, Jim Haggard wasn’t even sure if he wanted to go.

Ten years later, he now considers it to be one of the best decisions he’s ever made.

Haggard, the pastor of Middlebrook Baptist Church in Knoxville, was dealing with the death of both of his parents — who had passed away about two months apart — when he was invited to attend the retreat. [Read more…]

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TESTIMONY OF A BIVOCATIONAL PASTOR

By Roger Britton
Pastor, Whites Creek Baptist Church, Rockwood

Roger Britton of Whites Creek Baptist Church, Rockwood, speaks during the recent Bivocational Ministers and Wives Retreat in Pigeon Forge.

On Jan. 12, 1997, my wife Kathy, daughter Kacie and son Cody and I began our ministry when I became the pastor of Whites Creek Baptist Church in Rockwood. Kathy and I were married in 1979 and had been in ministry from day one of our married lives.

We started out as bus ministry director and children’s church pastor at First Baptist Church, Austinville, in Decatur, Ala. Then, we moved on to music director, youth pastor, associate pastor and a list of other duties through the years as God led us. [Read more…]

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UNSUNG HEROES: MEET SOME OF TENNESSEE’S BIVOCATIONAL PASTORS

The ARMENTAS

Pastor’s name: Jose Armenta
Wife’s name: Carolyn
Church: Rio Grande Mission Church
City (of church): Church Hill
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Carpenter
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? Sharing God’s Word with lost people.
How do you juggle the role of being a pastor along with your other job? My other job understands that I am a pastor first.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Jose: The conference gives us time to relax, to grow as a pastor and to fellowship.
Carolyn:  The conference gives us a chance to be with people who understand us and love us.

The CARVERS

Pastor’s name: Jonathan Carver
Wife’s name: Brooke
Church: Shepards Chapel Baptist Church
City (of church): Rogersville
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Information Technology support specialist; Brooke is a nurse practitioner.
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? I believe seeing restoration in the lives of individuals is every pastor’s favorite part.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Jonathan: This has been a wonderful conference, with great singing, inspirational messages, motivational sessions. It has been refreshing to fellowship and share with other pastors that face the struggles of balancing life, family, work and pastoring!
Brooke:  The entire conference has been a blessing, from the fellowship with our brothers and sisters to the uplifting messages we have heard. The worship is powerful. This was our first experience of coming to the retreat. We will definitely plan to return next year.

The COGGINSES

Pastor’s name: Mark Coggins
Wife’s name: Cathy
Church: Sugar Tree Baptist Chapel
City (of church): Holladay
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Self employed Construction and Home Remodeling
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? Serving the Lord is, of course, the most rewarding, and I enjoy seeing people experience the true, living God and I am blessed enough to watch them grow.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Mark: Each year, we look forward to being refreshed and the encouragement we receive while here. The preaching and teaching we receive is a much-needed experience and time for me, personally.
Cathy:  It’s nice to come and feel encouragement from others. To be able to share and pray with others who are going through the same things means a lot (to us).

The HARBINS

Pastor’s name: Bradley Harbin
Wife’s name: Jennifer
Church: Enterprise Baptist
City (of church): Morristown
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Electrical Engineer
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? Seeing others grow in Christ.
How do you juggle your duties as a full-time pastor and the responsibilities of your “other” job? Not very well (sometimes), but God leads!

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Bradley: (One of my favorite parts was) spending time with just my wife. (I also enjoy) the great preaching and the (overall) refreshing.
Jennifer:  (I enjoy) the time in the Word and the fellowship with the other wives in the ministry.

The HICKSES

Pastor’s name: Tecky Hicks
Wife’s name: Linda
Church: First Baptist Church, Surgoinsville
City (of church): Surgoinsville
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Cattle Farmer
How do you juggle your duties as a full-time pastor and the responsibilities of your “other” job? God first, family second, church third, and God giving the increase.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Tecky: It provides for me more insights I need from men of a like faith.
Linda:   A retreat from the busy everyday life. (And I) enjoy seeing old friends and hearing all the dynamic preaching.

The MARTINS

Pastor’s name: Barron V. Martin, Sr.
Wife’s name: Andrea
Church: One Faith Christian Center
City (of church): Millington
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Refrigeration/HVAC technician
How do you juggle your duties as a full-time pastor and the responsibilities of your “other” job? I prayed and asked the Lord to balance my time and my wife fills all the gaps.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Barron: The conference has solidified my wife and I as a team.
Andr’ea: The Conference has given me the time I needed alone with my husband. It has given us or reminded us of who we are to each other. I enjoyed the preaching, the Shepherd Family, and the wives’ groups.

The McCREARYS

Pastor’s name: Hobbie McCreary
Wife’s name: Kathy
Church: Grace Baptist
City (of church): Johnson City
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Fiscal director
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? Sharing the gospel, providing messages that equip the church, developing relationships and encouraging others.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Hobbie: (It) provides encouragement, time to refocus, time to draw closer to God and wife. I enjoyed the preaching, worship together (great to hear all the pastors singing together) and meeting other pastors and their wives to discuss family and ministry challenges.
Kathy:  I enjoyed the conference greatly. The preaching, fellowship, and I really like the women’s meetings — discussing the challenges of being a pastor’s wife and the blessings. Good time of fellowship.

The MURRAYS

Pastor’s name: Bill Murray
Wife’s name: Kristie
Church: Greenwood Baptist
City (of church): Johnson City
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Contractor
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? Being able to both serve God and draw close to Him and at the same time help others do the same.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Bill: The fellowship with the other bivocational pastors across the state as well as the encouragement.
Kristie:  This conference encourages us to continue in our God-given call to reach the lost and make disciples. I find this to be a place where you can be real and share your struggles.

The NICKELLS

Pastor’s name: Ronald Nickell
Wife’s name: Rhonda
Church: Pine Orchard Baptist
City (of church): Oakdale
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Bodyshop office
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? Meeting the physical and spiritual needs of God’s people.
How do you juggle your duties as a full-time pastor and the responsibilities of your “other” job? I try to do my best at both (jobs). But yet focus on the things that are a priority in my life.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Ronald: (It’s a time of) meaningful fellowship and messages that encourage and challenge me.
Rhonda:  It renews the soul and you have a chance to meet new friends.

The SIMMONSES

Pastor’s name: Josh Simmons
Wife’s name: Bethany
Church: College Grove Baptist
City (of church): College Grove
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Service manager at equipment dealer
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? I love talking to people and discipling men. Time spent outside the four walls, living out Jesus’s commandment to love one another is time well spent.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Josh: Hearing different peers’ perspective and someone else’s preaching fills our souls. Our commitment is renewed in the prayer times and our emotions are stirred by the beautiful music.
Bethany:  So often we spend all of our time pouring into others. Being a pastor’s wife can be lonely and exhausting. This retreat has given us a renewed spirit! It has been encouraging and a wonderful time to focus on us and our relationships with Jesus.

The WEBBS

Pastor’s name: Travis Webb
Wife’s name: Christina
Church: Westview
City (of church): Morristown
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Food City, Lighting
How do you juggle your duties as a pastor and the responsibilities of your “other” job? Priority is a must: Jesus first, everything else second. It’s easier said than done, but when I do, the balance is right.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Travis: This conference is great and allows me to be refreshed in the ministry. I learn something new every year.
Christina:  This conference has always been great and enjoyable. It gives us a chance to be with other ministry couples and catch up. We hear good preaching and always come home with new ideas.

The YOUNGS

Pastor’s name: Matthew Young
Wife’s name: Janna
Church: Laurel Bank Baptist
City (of church): Friendsville
Other profession (in addition to pastor): Rosenberg Assistant Professor of Practice at University of Tennessee
What is your favorite part about being a pastor? Watching people mature in the faith as they recognize the sufficiency of God’s Living Word.

Quoting the couple about the conference:

Matthew: It was helpful to have a few days to get to know the TBMB staff. (Also) fellowship with other bivo pastors and wives was encouraging.
Janna:  Being new to being a pastor’s wife, it was great to meet other wives from our association and surrounding areas.

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