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

By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

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…]

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

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

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…]

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

CUNNINGHAM — David Mackens is well aware there are not many openings for former Pentecostal pastors in Southern Baptist life.

But nearly 12 years ago, there was an opening at Lone Oak Baptist Church in Cumberland Furnace and Mackens was asked to preach one Sunday. Though he was, indeed, a former Pentecostal pastor, they asked him to come back and serve on an interim basis until the church found a pastor.

Mackens agreed, but made it clear the pastor would not be him. He was wrong. In December of 2007, the church called him as pastor and he accepted. [Read more…]

Pleasant View Baptist in Clarksville revitalized by missions involvement, baptisms, ministries

By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

CLARKSVILLE — Church revitalization is one of the Five Objectives adopted by Tennessee Baptist messengers at their annual meeting at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood in 2014. [Read more…]