Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

FIRE ISN’T THE END OF THE STORY

Church moves forward despite losing historic building

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector

Firemen work to extinguish the blaze that burned down Forest Hills Baptist Church, Parrottsville, in mid-January. The church is hoping to rebuild a new facility on the same spot as the previous building, which was more than 100 years old.

PARROTTSVILLE — When pastor Michael Vickers talks about the fire that ravaged Forest Hills Baptist Church, Parrottsville, he immediately points out one important fact: The fire destroyed the church building; it did not destroy the church.

The fire occurred around 1 a.m. on Jan. 18, and decimated the building that had been standing for more than 100 years. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Vickers said the Forest Hill members, while certainly saddened about the loss of the facility, are excited about the future.

“We are going to get to rebuild,” said Vickers, “and our plan is to rebuild the church right where the (previous) building was, give or take a little bit. Our church sits on top of a little knob that overlooks the mountains, and it’s just beautiful.” [Read more…]

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MINCHEY: RESOURCES ARE HERE IN TENNESSEE

New team leader for church revitalization says Tennessee has what it needs 

By David Dawson
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

Kevin Minchey

FRANKLIN — Kevin Minchey is a firm believer in Tennesseans helping Tennesseans.

Minchey plans to promote that philosophy in the months ahead as he begins his new role as team leader for church revitalization at the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. 

Minchey, who took over the new position on Jan. 1, said most of the resources — including manpower and materials — that many struggling churches need are available without having to leave the state’s borders. 

“I think that we, as Tennesseans, understand our state better than anybody,” said Minchey. “And I think we have enough talented people — between authors, speakers, church leaders — to make it work. What I would like to do, as much as possible, is to have Tennessee Baptist pastors and leaders producing and/or providing the materials for churches who are looking to revitalize.” [Read more…]

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MOST-READ STORIES OF 2019 COVER WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS

Stories about Lifeway’s change to pension plan and the “I Stand for Life” initiative had the most views on the B&R website

Baptist & Reflector Staff

FRANKLIN — The Baptist and Reflector website serves multiple purposes for the newspaper.

The website not only runs stories that are published in the print edition of the B&R, but also is the go-to place for breaking news pertaining to Tennessee Baptists.

This past year, the B&R website experienced several significant increases in readership (see chart). In looking at the year-ending numbers, it is interesting to note that the most-read stories of 2019 involved a wide range of topics, from economics to abortion to elections.

Listed below is a look at the most-read stories (based on website views) from the past year:

1. Lifeway to freeze pension plan for pension-eligible employees

• Date posted: July 31, 2019 • Written by: Lonnie Wilkey • Position: B&R editor

This story focused on LifeWay Christian Resources announcing changes to its retiree life insurance and pre-65 retiree medical benefits, including freezing its LifeWay Pension Plan (effective Jan. 1, 2020) for current pension-eligible employees. LifeWay shared the changes in letters to current and future retirees on June 29. The changes were approved by LifeWay trustees at their February meeting. [Read more…]

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MINCHEY TO LEAD TBMB’S CHURCH REVITALIZATION

Baptist and Reflector

Kevin Minchey

FRANKLIN — Nashville native Kevin Minchey has been chosen to serve as team leader for church revitalization for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, effective Jan. 1.

Minchey, who has been a part-time CR specialist for nearly three years, also is the director of missions for Concord Baptist Association, based in Murfreesboro. He will continue in that role through Dec. 31.

Prior to becoming the DOM in Concord Association, Minchey served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Shelbyville, for nine years. [Read more…]

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BIG BOOST FOR BIG EMORY

Location change has led to new ministry opportunities

Editor’s Note: Baptist associations are the emphasis on the Southern Baptist Convention calendar Oct. 20-26. Tennessee Baptists have 65 associations across the state. Here is a look at Big Emory Baptist Association based in Harriman.

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

Director of missions Randy Roper stands in Big Emory Baptist Association’s Great Commission Center which has enhanced the association’s ministry to churches.

HARRIMAN — Three years ago, Big Emory Baptist Association moved from the site it had occupied since 1969 to a new location on South Roane Street, not far from Interstate 40.

It has proven to be a huge boost for the association’s ministries and the association is still growing into its space, said Randy Roper, director of missions for Big Emory Baptist Association since 2015.

The association bought three former storefront buildings adjacent to each other and divided their project into three phases. Phase one consisted of the office facilities. The building now in use was completely gutted and remodeled, Roper said. The association moved into the new offices in 2016. [Read more…]

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REACHING OUT, GROWING STRONG

After voting in favor of revitalization plan, Lebanon Baptist sees 10 baptisms in nine months

By David Dawson
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

Charlie Brewer, pastor of Lebanon Baptist Church, Talbott, baptizes a new believer during a recent gathering. With a renewed emphasis on evangelism, the church is rebounding from a period of decline. — Contributed photo

TALBOTT — Despite some downward trends, pastor Charlie Brewer believed in the congregation at Lebanon Baptist Church. And they likewise believed in their pastor.

So, when Brewer presented the church with an outline of what it would take for the church to once again become visible and vibrant, the members of the congregation rolled up their sleeves and went to work. 

“They got behind it full bore,” said Brewer.

Now, roughly nine months later, it is clear that the tide is turning. Spurred by their unified attitude and high-energy work ethic, the church has been able to regain its footing and renew its purpose.  [Read more…]

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PARKBURG BAPTIST SEES RESULTS OF CHURCH REVITALIZATION

By Ashley Perham
Baptist & Reflector intern

Danny Rachel, pastor of Parkburg Baptist Church, Pinson, shares how his congregation has benefited from church revitalization in a new Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions video.

PINSON — Approximately 75-80 percent of churches are stagnant or in decline, and as many as 10 percent of Southern Baptist churches may cease to exist in the next 10 years unless fundamental changes are made, according to Steve Holt, church services director for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

The Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions and the Cooperative Program makes it possible for the TBMB to partner with churches in church revitalization, a process which moves a plateaued or declining church toward a healthy and sustained environment. [Read more…]

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COURAGEOUS ACTION, COURAGEOUS FAITH

Selmer congregation gives property, buildings to sister church after unanimous vote

By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Serving the Lord’s Supper during the last service at Central Baptist Church, Selmer, are, from left, pastor Stephen Davison, deacons Bob Ray and Tommy Doyle and Joey Johnson, pastor of First Baptist Church, Selmer.

SELMER — Though only 25 years old, Central Baptist Church in Selmer had fallen on hard times in recent years.

Attendance had dwindled to less than 10 people and the church knew two years ago that something had to change for the church to survive, said pastor Stephen Davison. The members consulted with the local association and representatives from the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board about church revitalization. [Read more…]

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COURAGEOUS ACTION, COURAGEOUS FAITH

Selmer congregation gives property, buildings to sister church after unanimous vote

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

Serving the Lord’s Supper during the last service at Central Baptist Church, Selmer, are, from left, pastor Stephen Davison, deacons Bob Ray and Tommy Doyle and Joey Johnson, pastor of First Baptist Church, Selmer.

SELMER — Though only 25 years old, Central Baptist Church in Selmer had fallen on hard times in recent years.

Attendance had dwindled to less than 10 people and the church knew two years ago that something had to change for the church to survive, said pastor Stephen Davison. The members consulted with the local association and representatives from the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board about church revitalization.

About seven months ago, as attendance dwindled to less than 20 people, it became apparent that the best solution for Central was to merge with another church by giving its property to a sister church in Shiloh Baptist Association. “We prayed for a church to partner with us,” Davison recalled.

Along came First Baptist Church, Selmer, which was already pursuing a multi-campus approach to its ministry, according to pastor Joey Johnson. [Read more…]

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NEW HOPE

Replanted church in East Nashville has new name, new pastor, new direction

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

Eastland Baptist Church, Nashville, will now be known as Hope Church.

NASHVILLE — In recent years, attendance at Eastland Baptist Church, a historic congregation in the changing community of East Nashville, had dwindled considerably.

About a year ago church leaders knew that drastic changes needed to take place after consultation with the Nashville Baptist Association, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and the North American Mission Board.

Enter Jason Rumbough, a young pastor who had “caught the mission bug” while serving at The Summit Church in Raleigh, N.C., under the leadership of J.D. Greear, current president of the Southern Baptist Convention. [Read more…]

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