Opinion Column

DOES YOUR MISSIONS RHETORIC HAVE SUBSTANCE?

December 2, 2015

By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director The world is in chaos. Wars rage. Terror perpetrated by evil people has nations on edge. Millions are displaced, and the debate over refugee resettlement is burning white hot. The world’s spiritual soil is as fertile as it ever has been and cries out for a broad spreading of gospel seeds. This world desperately needs Jesus. Southern Baptists have historically rallied to the

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A SOUTHERN BAPTIST?

November 20, 2015

By Johnnie Godwin Contributing Columnist, B&R I recently performed the wedding ceremony of a granddaughter, who is also a marathoner. Both bride and groom had just completed serious courses on what Christian marriage means. In their ceremony of covenant marriage, here’s what I said: “Marriage is a marathon — not a half-marathon or a trial run in an ‘iffy’ thing called “a relationship.” Then the couple made their own vows

WHY CHRISTIANS CAN STILL GIVE THANKS

November 19, 2015

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector For anyone who lives in this world, last week was tough. I don’t know what happens in every community in our state and our nation, but I daresay they are similar to Nashville and Memphis. I was in both places last week — metropolitan Memphis for the Summit in Millington and then back to Nashville. When you turned to the news in either

A PAUSE TO CELEBRATE; THEN ON TO SEVIERVILLE

November 18, 2015

By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director I love family reunions. It’s a chance to gather with folks who share a bond and for whom (hopefully) you care a great deal about. That, to me, is what the annual gathering of Tennessee Baptists feels like. This year’s Summit was held at First Baptist Church, Millington, and in his words of welcome, FBC Pastor David Leavell referred to the gathering as

FIRST-PERSON: HOW TO LISTEN TO A SERMON

November 6, 2015

By Chuck Lawless Baptist Press WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP) — I admit it. I’m not a good listener. I’m so accustomed to preaching most Sundays that I struggle listening to others (and my wife will undoubtedly affirm that). So, I’m a bit hesitant to talk about how to listen to a sermon, except that I’m really talking to myself as much I am to you, the reader. So, you’re welcome

MISSIONS, DR BRING BAPTISTS TOGETHER

November 4, 2015

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Baptists are known for many things – some good, some not so good. We tend to argue among ourselves over things that have no Kingdom significance. We get bent out of shape if someone sits in our pew on Sunday morning. We’re not happy if the pastor doesn’t visit our sick relative in the hospital (never mind that we probably forgot to let

WHY I LOVE THE SUMMIT

November 3, 2015

By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director I travel – a lot. I’ve made my way back and forth across Tennessee this year several times and then some. Most often those trips are made to preach in your churches or associational meetings, to stop and have lunch with a pastor or church member just to visit, or to attend a meeting where small groups of people are gathered to discuss

KEEP HALLOWEEN IN PERSPECTIVE

October 28, 2015

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector As it has been for centuries, Halloween will be observed on Oct. 31. According to a study by LifeWay Research, nearly a third of Americans avoid the celebration of Halloween or at least its pagan elements. I agree wholeheartedly with avoiding the pagan elements, but I’m not completely sold on the fact that it is necessary to avoid Halloween completely, especially for younger children. When

DR VOLUNTEERS A SPECIAL BREED

October 23, 2015

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are a special breed of people. They love the Lord with all their hearts and souls, and they love people enough to do “the dirty work” that most people would run from. I spent time this week with Tennessee volunteers who were serving out of First Baptist Church in Manning, S.C. Teams did flood recovery or, “mudouts,” for

COOPERATIVE PROGRAM — WHERE IS THE MONEY?

October 23, 2015

By Ronnie Floyd President, SBC The Southern Baptist Convention is a convention of churches that partner together to reach the world for Christ. As we aspire to this biblical vision of presenting the gospel to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations, we must find a way to increase financial resources to this serious and grand vision. I am often asked, “Where is the

Opinion Column

DOES YOUR MISSIONS RHETORIC HAVE SUBSTANCE?