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TBC MESSENGERS TO CONSIDER MOTION ON SEXUAL ABUSE TASK FORCE

Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — Messengers to the annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, held during the Summit at Brentwood Baptist Church, Nov. 14-17, will consider a recommendation to establish a sexual abuse task force. Tennessee Baptist Mission Board directors approved the request of outgoing TBC President Bruce Chesser that a recommendation come through the board during their scheduled meeting at Brentwood Baptist on Nov. 15.  Chesser told the

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2021 SUMMIT OPENS WITH WORSHIP, PRAYER, CELEBRATION

By David Dawson [email protected] BRENTWOOD — This year’s Summit, the annual gathering of Tennessee Baptists, opened on Sunday night with three Baptist bedrocks: Praise, preaching and prayer.  Two simultaneous worship events — one at Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood, and the other at Tusculum Hills Baptist Church, Nashville — served as the official “tip-off” for the 2021 Summit. At Brentwood, several hundred people attended a Sunday night service that included praise music led by

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C-N AMPHITHEATER HONORS O’BRIENS

Carson-Newman news office JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University held a ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 30 for the Randall and Kay O’Brien Amphitheater. The amphitheater honors former university president Randall O’Brien and his wife, Kay. “Having the opportunity to honor Dr. Randall and Kay O’Brien is truly special,” said C-N president Charles Fowler. “We are thankful for them and have been blessed by their leadership and love for this university. I

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BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN

One year after facing death from COVID-19, Zach Lloyd is back in the pulpit, doing what he loves By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] LAFOLLETTE — To say that pastor Zach Lloyd is a walking miracle would be an understatement. Just one year ago, Lloyd was in the early stages of a 175-day stay in the hospital and a double lung transplant due to complications from COVID-19. There

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SUMMIT BRINGS TBC FAMILY TOGETHER AGAIN

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] What a difference a year makes. Last year, The Summit – The Gathering of Tennessee Baptists, which includes the annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention – was canceled due to concerns created by COVID-19. A year later, the pandemic is still with us, but perhaps, we have learned better to function within it. Some people still wear masks, some do not.

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DAVIS ADDRESSES ISSUES FACING SBC

By David Dawson [email protected] FRANKLIN — Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission, said he needed a “mulligan.” During last week’s “Ask Randy” webinar, hosted by the TBMB, Davis was asked the question: “What is going on with the Southern Baptist Convention?”  Davis answered the inquiry, but later said he felt his response was inadequate. On Thursday, Davis issued a “follow-up” response, in which he

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MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCE

Pastors break away for ‘Off-the-Grid’ trip on Appalachian Trail By David Dawson [email protected] NEWPORT —  Several days of hiking on the Appalachian Trail would leave many individuals feeling exhausted.  Marty Shadoan said it had the opposite effect for him and the other pastors who recently hiked part of the trail while participating in the “Off the Grid” ministry sponsored by the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s conference centers.  “Off the Grid

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PREPARING FOR THE HARVEST

TBMB restructures state’s ‘mission fields’ By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board has revamped its harvest field structure. Several years ago, the TBMB developed strategy geared toward reaching various sections of the state (harvest fields). The goal was to have a team leader assigned to it. That individual would then become the primary “face” of the TBMB to the churches and associations

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TBMB BOARD OF DIRECTORS ASKED TO PRESENT RECOMMENDATION FOR SEXUAL ABUSE TASK FORCE

Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — Tennessee Baptist Convention President Bruce Chesser said Nov. 8 that he will ask the directors of Tennessee Baptist Mission Board to recommend that messengers to the annual meeting this month consider a recommendation that would create a Sexual Abuse Task Force. TBMB directors are scheduled to meet Monday, Nov. 15, prior to the annual meeting that is scheduled Nov. 16-17 at Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood.

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LIVING IN OUR WORLD OF ADVERSITY

By Johnnie C. Godwin Contributing columnist, B&R   We live in a world of “adversity.” The word “adversity” came into English by 1340 to mean “turned against.” A dictionary definition defines the word as “a state, condition, or instance of serious or continued difficulty — or adverse fortune.” (Merriam-Webster, Collegiate, 11th edition).  My own definition would be that it is anything that bothers or hurts you or your family, church,

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