Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUTH IS A GROWING CONCERN

By Shane Pruitt
Next Gen Evangelism Director, NAMB

According to a recent Barna study, half of 18-year-olds in the U.S. report anxiety and fear of failure, and about 40 percent say they often feel sad or depressed. Thirty-four percent of young people say they feel lonely and isolated from others.

The church in America is undoubtedly doing a better job of addressing the ever-growing anxiety of younger generations, but we still have a long way to go. We used to largely ignore it or spiritualize it away. Often, the only response to mental and emotional health was to tell the person struggling to read the Bible and pray more (among other disciplines). [Read more…]

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CHALLENGES BECOME OPPORTUNITIES

Student pastors, leaders finding new ways to “do ministry” amid pandemic

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

FRANKLIN — When the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic first began impacting daily lives, many youth pastors were sent scrambling.

The entire landscape of youth ministry changed almost overnight. Trips and events were postponed or canceled. On-campus gatherings were suspended. Things that were once considered “routine” parts of youth ministry had to be altered or even temporarily eliminated. [Read more…]

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STUDENT MINISTRY IN MCMINNVILLE THRIVING DESPITE COVID-19

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

John Templeton

McMINNVILLE — As John Templeton reflects on the past few months, he is awed by the way God has used these hard days as a time of transformation.

Exhaustion has turned into excitement. Frustration has been replaced by fruitfulness.

Despite the difficult circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Templeton has seen the Lord do a tremendous work in the student ministry at First Baptist Church, McMinnville, where Templeton serves as associate pastor and student pastor. [Read more…]

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YOUTH MINISTRY IS MORE THAN WEDNESDAY NIGHT

By Jay Barbier
Youth Specialist, TBMB

School is back in session, whether from home or in the classroom. Football schedules have been finalized, cheerleaders are prepping for the games, School bands are filling the parking lots to prepare for “Friday Night Lights”!

What does all this mean to us as youth ministers? This means we have an opportunity to do ministry!

Many of us have been isolated and even limited in what we can do for youth. Now is the chance to prepare for the fall! [Read more…]

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STORMY DAYS, STRONG FAITH

God at work in Hamilton County amid tough times

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

Disaster relief volunteers and others survey the damage at a house that was damaged by a tornado in Hamilton County on April 12.

CHATTANOOGA — The residents of Hamilton County have experienced a trilogy of turmoil in the past few months.

It began when the COVID-19 pandemic first took hold, throwing daily routines into a state of flux. Then came a deadly tornado that created another wave of emotional and physical challenges. And in recent days, Hamilton County, like the rest of the country, has been dealing with racial unrest that was ignited by the death of George Floyd.

The three events might lead some to wonder, “where has God been in all this tragedy?”

Dennis Culbreth, the director of missions for Hamilton County Baptist, said the answer is clear — the Lord has been present and active through it all.  [Read more…]

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WHAT ABOUT THE GRADUATES?

Seeing the whole picture from a family’s perspective

Editor’s Note: The pandemic has wreaked havoc on almost every imaginable event including high school graduations. Keep in mind, not only the graduate missed graduation, but so did his or her family who spent untold hours of helping the graduate reach the milestone. Jay Barbier, youth specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, his wife, Natalee, and son, Jay, provide their perspectives.

The Barbier family, from left, Caleb, Mary-Clare, Natalee and Jay.

Jay Barbier — A dad’s perspective

Let’s take a look into our current situation from one family’s perspective. Going through the experience of a pandemic has been overwhelming. The Lord has impressed on my heart to share thoughts from a student about to graduate, a mother wanting her son to enjoy the last moments of high school, and what is going through my mind as a father and the TBMB youth specialist. [Read more…]

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DEALING WITH THE DISAPPOINTMENTS

Youth leaders providing encouragement for youth amid cancelations of prom, graduation

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

FRANKLIN — While the practice of social distancing continues to move to the forefront in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, teenagers are feeling the sting of disappointment in a very real way.

High school seniors, in particular, are dealing with the heartache of knowing that some of their most highly-anticipated events — prom, graduation and senior trips — are potentially going to be canceled. [Read more…]

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NEW TITLE, SAME PASSION

Barbier reflects on impact, importance of youth ministry

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

TBMB youth ministry specialist Jay Barbier worships with the crowd on the opening night of the 2019 YEC event.
— Photo by Royce DeGrie

FRANKLIN — Jay Barbier has a new title with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and it’s a perfect fit with his love and passion for youth ministry.

Barbier recently was named youth ministry specialist for the TBMB following the retirement of Bruce Edwards in January. He has served with the TBMB for the past two years as evangelism event specialist, coming to that role from First Baptist Church, Millington, where he served as minister of youth for seven-and-a-half  years.

The past two years have actually helped prepare Barbier for his new role as he met with and began building relationships with youth ministers and leaders across Tennessee. He shared his vision for youth ministry in Tennessee during a recent podcast of Radio B&R. (The full podcast, Episode 38, is available at RadioBandR.org).

“As youth ministry specialist, my role is to serve churches. … I want to help churches where they are as well as help them move the ball forward when it comes to evangelism, discipleship or anything else that we can do to serve them,” Barbier said.

He observed that discipleship is a key to effective youth ministry. People learn best by example, Barbier said, noting that as a new Christian he wanted to lead others to Jesus. “I had pastors, deacons, and individuals who helped me. They showed me. They took me to visitation. They included me in salvation conversations with other people.” [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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THE ABCs OF GEN Z

TBMB leads seminars on how to reach this easily-distracted demographic

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

SHELBYVILLE — “Does anyone know what a slo-fie is?” asked Donna Blaydes as she glanced around the classroom filled with adults.

After a few moments of mostly blank stares and silence, Blaydes explained that the term, which is only about three weeks old, refers to slow-motion “selfies” that can be recorded with the latest version of iPhones.

The response to Blaydes’ question perfectly illustrated the point that she was making: Technology is moving so rapidly that it can be challenging for parents and grandparents to keep up. [Read more…]

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