By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Every kid who has ever grown up in a Baptist church probably can repeat the story of the prodigal son found in Luke 15:11-32. It’s a story that was real when Jesus told it and it’s still real today. The issue of prodigal children as it relates to ministers and their families is told here, but it goes far beyond just being a
Editor’s Note: The Week of Prayer for International Missions is currently underway. The goal of the 2015 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is $175 million. To learn more, visit imb.org/offering. By Wanda S. Lee Executive Director, National WMU BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In his book Both Feet In, retired missionary Bud Fray references an African proverb that says: “Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet.” It’s like
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector This week I read an excellent blog by Everette Piper, president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, Okla. He noted a student had come to him after a recent chapel service complaining he was offended because the sermon made him feel guilty. Later in the week I watched a news telecast by a local TV station interviewing a student at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro who
By Todd Brady Todd Brady, Vice President for University Ministries, Union University, Jackson Since Starbucks released its plain red 2015 holiday season cups, a social media storm has been brewing among two groups of Christians — those who find themselves offended and those who couldn’t care less. Starbucks has said that simplicity motivated their seasonal design while one news agency responded to their latest style of holiday cups by exclaiming,
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
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
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
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
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
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
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Every kid who has ever grown up in a Baptist church probably can repeat the story of the
Editor’s Note: The Week of Prayer for International Missions is currently underway. The goal of the 2015 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is $175 million. To
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector This week I read an excellent blog by Everette Piper, president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, Okla. He
By Todd Brady Todd Brady, Vice President for University Ministries, Union University, Jackson Since Starbucks released its plain red 2015 holiday season cups, a social
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
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
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
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
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
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Baptists are known for many things – some good, some not so good. We tend to argue among