By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector One of the reasons the Southern Baptist International Mission Board may be cutting its missionary force is Southern Baptists’ lack of support for missions education for its children over the past two decades. That’s the sentiment of Wanda S. Lee, executive director of Southern Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union, based in Birmingham, Ala. Lee was one of several Southern Baptist leaders who expressed dismay

By Josh Creason Family and Community Life Pastor at Germantown Baptist Church, Germantown When creating a list of “life-changing experiences,” most people probably wouldn’t put, “visiting the optometrist” very high on the list. But I would. I had gone through my early life not realizing that how I saw the world wasn’t normal. When I walked out of the doctor’s office with a new pair of glasses on for the

By Renae Adelsberger Freelance Writer in Jackson Fall has arrived, bringing with it football on all levels. We’re an NFL household, fans of the Minnesota Vikings. As I wrote these words a few weeks ago, I was wearing a purple Vikings scarf to work to celebrate the fact that we are driving to Nashville that evening to watch the Vikings play the Titans in a preseason game. I also packed

By Mark Wingfield Associate Pastor, Wilshire Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas One of the hardest jobs in a church these days is that of youth minister. Not just because the schedule of activities can be grueling or the work can be physically demanding. The reason, instead, is ever-increasing demands placed on churches and pastors for what youth ministry should look like and feel like. The days of the one-size-fits-all, “y’all come”

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector It’s that time of the year that causes church and associational secretaries to cringe. Budget planning? Well, that too, but primarily this is the time of the year when the Annual Church Profile is promoted and collected by Baptist state conventions across the nation, including the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Reports are then forwarded on to the Southern Baptist Convention to LifeWay Research which

By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director I can’t think of a single good reason why anybody would want to be in pastoral ministry if God hasn’t called him. But if God has called, I can’t think of any vocation more rewarding.

By Johnnie Godwin Contributing Columnist, B&R “I’m ready for football; I’m tired of baseball,” said my brother Bill in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado as we watched a football replay instead of a live baseball game. He and I like all sports to one degree or another, but there is a significant difference between football and baseball: Football games are timed for 60 minutes of actual play; baseball is

By Vickie Anderson Executive Director of Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union According to www.nationaldaycalender.com, September has a variety of things to observe or celebrate during the month: classical music, fall hats, baby safety, self-improvement, better breakfast, whole grains, square dancing, blueberry popsicles, chicken, courtesy, honey, mushrooms, the piano, rice, and more. For Tennessee Baptists, September brings the opportunity to observe and participate in the season of prayer for state missions and

By Chris Turner Director of Communications, TBC The proverbial elephant in the room is quickly growing, so let’s talk about it. There is a conversational crescendo regarding our historical Cooperative Program giving model in the wake of the International Mission Board’s shocking announcement that it will downsize by 600 to 800 people, this despite giving increases to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering over the past few years.

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector The choices we make as individuals have consequences. Refer to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1. Life is full of choices. Do I eat the double scoop of chocolate peanut butter ice cream on half price scoop night at Baskin-Robbins or do I skip it? Eat it and I gain five pounds. Skip it and I miss a wonderful treat. Denominational entities and