By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Another annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention has come and gone. By all accounts it was historic and for the most part Southern Baptists left with a good feeling. Tennessee Baptists should be extremely proud as one of our own — Steve Gaines of Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, was elected president in an unusual and historic election (see also column by Chris
By Chris Turner Director of Communications, TBC Steve Gaines, pastor of iconic Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, sat at the table in the pressroom at the annual Southern Baptist Convention meeting and waited for questions. Gaines had just been elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention by a historic vote of acclamation. “Any questions,” the moderator asked the media. Silence. Stunned silence. Finally someone spoke up and said, “I think we’re
By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director Tennessee Baptists are about emptying mosques, not building them. There are a few pseudo-news websites authored by bloggers who produce satirical “news” stories, and some of their recent stories state that the Southern Baptist Convention is building mosques. Those stories have gained traction through social media and people are assuming their truth. At least one of those stories states the Tennessee Baptist Convention
Steve Freeman Senior Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Springfield In our most recent Tennessee Baptist Convention Executive Board meeting, the Administrative Committee brought a proposal to change the name of our current standing governing body from “Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention” to “Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.” The proposal overwhelmingly moved forward in bringing the possible “name change” to The Summit in November, seeking the affirmation of messengers. During the
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector We are living in a world where it is not politically correct to do anything that might offend somebody. Unfortunately, the rules are often one-sided. The rules apparently only apply to Christians. We normally can’t offend anyone, but the non-Christian world can do anything it wants though it offends Christians and it is okay. Case in point. Baptist Press reported last week that
Editor’s Note: Kennedy Keltner is 12 years old and is a member of Central Baptist Church, Brighton, where her father, Rusty Keltner, is pastor. Kennedy wrote this essay for a writing competition. By Kennedy Keltner Motivation is a quality that many people lack. They think “Why do more work than I have to?” In the job I hope to do in the future, this language and thinking is unacceptable. Most
By Carolyn Tomlin The third Sunday in June is the day set aside to honor our fathers. This day pays tribute to our earthly father. For many people, the man who comes to mind is a grandfather, foster parent, adopted dad, a teacher, or Sunday School leader. On this day, as all other days, it is important to recognize the contribution our dads made to our families, our communities, and
By Chris Turner Director of Communications, TBC I sized up the donkey standing about 15 feet in front of me; then I casually walked over. I kept my distance because I’m not an equine kind of guy, but I had something to say. I looked the beast of burden square in the eye and decided to keep my comments brief and to the point. “I’m glad I’m not you the
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Tennessee Baptists lost one of their best last week when God called Mike Overcash home on June 8 to be with Him (see obituary). I lost a friend. Sometimes phrases are either overused or misused. When I say that Mike Overcash had a servant’s heart, it is neither misused or overused. Mike spent most of his 80 years on this earth serving people
By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director I still own my grandfather’s large push plow. And it may sound strange, but I loved pushing it through rows of Pinkeye Purple Hull peas, okra, Silver King corn, Big Boy tomatoes (I’ve got to stop, I’m making myself hungry). Why would I love pushing that plow through the rich soil of South Alabama under the hot sun of the Gulf Coast? Two
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Another annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention has come and gone. By all accounts it was historic
By Chris Turner Director of Communications, TBC Steve Gaines, pastor of iconic Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, sat at the table in the pressroom at the
By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director Tennessee Baptists are about emptying mosques, not building them. There are a few pseudo-news websites authored by bloggers
Steve Freeman Senior Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Springfield In our most recent Tennessee Baptist Convention Executive Board meeting, the Administrative Committee brought a proposal to
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector We are living in a world where it is not politically correct to do anything that might offend
Editor’s Note: Kennedy Keltner is 12 years old and is a member of Central Baptist Church, Brighton, where her father, Rusty Keltner, is pastor. Kennedy
By Carolyn Tomlin The third Sunday in June is the day set aside to honor our fathers. This day pays tribute to our earthly father.
By Chris Turner Director of Communications, TBC I sized up the donkey standing about 15 feet in front of me; then I casually walked over.
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Tennessee Baptists lost one of their best last week when God called Mike Overcash home on June 8
By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director I still own my grandfather’s large push plow. And it may sound strange, but I loved pushing it