By Randy C. Davis TBMB Executive Director God loves a cheerful giver. Chances are you’ve heard that phrase from your pastor, or maybe from your momma or grandmother. We often share that verse with children when we teach them about stewardship. Well, last week I assume God was extremely pleased, and I was pleasantly surprised. No, actually I was pleasantly shocked. It was my great pleasure to announce at the
Editor’s Note: Ray Newcomb was a leader in the Tennessee Baptist Convention for decades. Over the years we developed a mutual respect for and friendship with each other. The highest compliment I could give Bro. Ray is this. If I lived anywhere near a church where he was serving, I would join in a minute and be honored and proud to call him “my pastor.” — Lonnie Wilkey By Chris
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector I am always amused when I read stories about people who get upset over the consequences of something they caused. Most people probably have heard about the lawsuit McDonald’s faced years ago when a customer spilled coffee on herself. If I remember correctly, she won the case. Just recently, a woman in Charlotte, N.C. claimed she suffered second degree burns after she spilled
By Randy C. Davis TBMB Executive Director It’s right there in the red letters: “That my joy may be in you …” This is a statement of fact made by Jesus Himself, and yet I’ve encountered so many pastors who haven’t experienced joy in a long time. The man behind the pulpit carries both pastoral and personal burdens, and it can be overwhelming. What once was a thrill becomes drudgery,
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector A few years ago I was umpiring a high school baseball game in Nashville. The home team’s catcher was really good — strong arm, could hit with power. He had the tools to play college baseball and perhaps even professionally. Between innings we engaged in a brief conversation and I asked where he was going to play college ball. His answer stunned me.
By Carolyn Tomlin Contributing Writer, B&R Passing a shop filled with Easter gifts, I noticed cuddly lambs, soft yellow chicks, and other baby animals in pastel shades. Nearby, the traditional Easter lilies filled the air with their distinct aromatic scent. Across the street, a bakery displayed hot-cross buns and pretzels focusing on the Easter season. And as a reminder of Jesus being raised from the dead in a glorified body,
By Steve Gaines SBC President & Pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He
Jason Allen President, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Mo. The Cooperative Program ought not be a sacred cow, but it is close to one for me. Begun by Southern Baptists nearly a century ago, it has proven to be a most effective and enduring way to support our collective ministry and missions work. I often visit with leaders of other evangelical denominations who are envious of the Cooperative Program.
By James Porch My season of ministry with Phyllis Bates (18 years) was a continued learning experience. The “classroom settings” included day-by-day office agenda and hours of preparation for annual meetings and numerous committee meetings, accompanied by her ever present wisdom during the many occasions of interruptions. I cannot overplay Phyllis’s initiative of insight with a long view of how our decisions could influence and/or affect the future of the
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Johnnie Godwin has been writing a column for the Baptist and Reflector since 2003. I knew of Johnnie long before he sent that first column to me for consideration but did not really know him. Over the course of time Johnnie has become a dear friend and mentor. As I read through his column this week, he mentioned that he recently turned 80
By Randy C. Davis TBMB Executive Director God loves a cheerful giver. Chances are you’ve heard that phrase from your pastor, or maybe from your
Editor’s Note: Ray Newcomb was a leader in the Tennessee Baptist Convention for decades. Over the years we developed a mutual respect for and friendship
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector I am always amused when I read stories about people who get upset over the consequences of something
By Randy C. Davis TBMB Executive Director It’s right there in the red letters: “That my joy may be in you …” This is a
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector A few years ago I was umpiring a high school baseball game in Nashville. The home team’s catcher
By Carolyn Tomlin Contributing Writer, B&R Passing a shop filled with Easter gifts, I noticed cuddly lambs, soft yellow chicks, and other baby animals in
By Steve Gaines SBC President & Pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that
Jason Allen President, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Mo. The Cooperative Program ought not be a sacred cow, but it is close to one
By James Porch My season of ministry with Phyllis Bates (18 years) was a continued learning experience. The “classroom settings” included day-by-day office agenda and
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Johnnie Godwin has been writing a column for the Baptist and Reflector since 2003. I knew of Johnnie