Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

VIRTUAL SERVICES CAN’T MEET ALL NEEDS

By Mike Farmer
Director of missions, McMinn-Meigs Association of Baptists

What a blessing to see so many “normal” church activities arriving on the schedule now. It has been a long, difficult year. I pray we have a greater appreciation for these normal activities.

My question now is this, “What have we learned from the past year?”

We should have learned the truth that God did not make us to be isolated individuals. We were created for fellowship with God and one another. If you understand the first few chapters of Genesis, you know God created mankind in His image. Communion with our Creator is an important part of who we are. While God gave us responsibility in caring for His creation, our ultimate purpose revolves around a relationship with Him.

As physical beings, we need food, water and shelter in order to survive. Beyond the physical existence, we are spiritual beings. And some of the needs for the spiritual nature are fellowship with our God and relationships with other people. [Read more…]

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WHERE HAVE ALL THE CHURCHES GONE?

By Nan Corbitt Allen
Freelance writer

church, structure, construction, sky, building, security“Where have all the flowers gone/Long time passing/
Where have all the flowers gone/Long time ago?”

Remember this protest song recorded by the trio Peter, Paul and Mary in the 1960s? Its lyrics describe a sort of cycle of life … of flowers … picked by young girls … who take husbands … who become soldiers … whose bodies go to graveyards … that are eventually covered in flowers.

Occasionally I’m asked similar questions about the church. “What’s happened to the church? Where has it gone? Will the church as we once knew it ever return?” 

These questions are usually referring to music and worship styles and are often asked by those who prefer the more traditional ways — of which they are more familiar. My answer is usually some mumbo-jumbo about trends, and relevance, and post-modernism and such. But in reality I have no idea what’s happening in the worldwide church. 

Through my six decades on the planet as a “church girl,” I’ve seen the Body struggle with itself (or against itself), in an attempt to make it more relevant. I am just now starting to see a pattern and trying to make sense of it all. [Read more…]

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15 WORSHIP ‘HELPS’ FOR REGATHERING CHURCHES

By Scott C. Shepherd
Tennessee Baptist Mission Board music and worship specialist 

Many churches in Tennessee will be opening their doors in the coming weeks.

In the coming weeks and months, churches across Tennessee will make the decision to gather again for worship. These services — though COVID-19 restrictions have been reduced — will not be a return to “worship as usual.” 

Here are 15 worship-related helps for churches to consider as they prepare to regather.

Maintain social distancing in worship. Restrictions have been lessened, but social distancing must continue. 

• Arrange the congregation so families are at least six feet apart from other families. Block off certain pews or remove chairs, and utilize staff, ushers and deacons to direct traffic, but these guides should also maintain social distancing. 

• Model social distancing on the platform. If you can’t have your full worship team on the platform and still preserve social distancing, reduce the size of your team for this season or alternate smaller teams each week. 

• Ministers are exceptionally good at “working the room,” and they ought to be! You want to greet our attendees, shake their hands, and give them hugs. Now, however, the most loving thing you can do is not touch your members. Greet, smile, and wave, but keep your distance. Practice what you preach. [Read more…]

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FIVE THINGS THAT HAPPEN WHEN WE WORSHIP

By Matt Tullos
Stewardship Development Specialist, TBMB

You and I came to the celebration late, but we are invited to stay for eternity and as we worship, God begins to teach us new concepts, new subtleties, new songs. What is God teaching you as you worship? Here are a few things He’s been teaching me.

(1) When we worship, life becomes a festival rather than a contest. Not a show. Never a show.  The greatest worship occurs when we turn the tables. The congregation is performing for God. We aren’t the audience. The pastor, the soloists, choir (or the band) are not the centerpiece of authentic worship. Jesus becomes the focus and our desire is to hear His applause. [Read more…]

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