By Larry Robertson President, TBC, & Clarksville Pastor We need to reclaim an apostolic urgency to our mission. A recent report by the Southern Baptist Convention’s Pastors’ Task Force on Evangelistic Impact and Declining Baptisms reminded us of what we already know, that we are floundering when it comes to reaching our communities and culture for Christ. And while the task force made honest observations and excellent recommendations, I want

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector A few weeks ago (in the April 30 issue), I wrote about changes that are underway for the Baptist and Reflector. Honestly, those changes are occurring quicker than I imagined, but once the pain of change is over, I think it will prove to be a great move for everyone involved with the Baptist and Reflector — from me and our staff to

By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director Tennessee Baptists want to read about other Tennessee Baptists and our churches.   And let’s be honest about the newspaper industry in general. Secular news agencies have struggled for years with the financial burden of producing a hard copy version in an increasingly digital age. Many of them have slashed staff and eventually gone out of business. Fortunately, we are not near that point.

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector On Dec. 8, 1995 I had the opportunity and privilege to report on the election of David S. Dockery as president of Union University in Jackson. He was elected unanimously by trustees that day to become the university’s 15th president. Despite his busy schedule, Dr. Dockery found time for an interview with me and the Baptist and Reflector. We talked about the varied background

By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director At the end of the day on May 20, the members of the team working at what has been called the Baptist Center will leave the building for the last time and watch the doors close on 45 years of ministry. We’re moving, ending one chapter in Tennessee Baptist history and beginning a new one. Our building in Brentwood has been the hub

By Carolyn Tomlin Contributing Columnist, B&R I watched as a pair of mockingbirds built a nest near a window of our home. When time came for the female to lay eggs and stay on the nest, the male brought her tasty insects. But other than food, he sang to her. Long into the night, he serenaded her with a wide repertoire of melodies. Later when the three fledglings hatched, the

By Johnnie Godwin Contributing Columnist, B&R “Your daddy is soooo slow!” said my mother from my growing-up days till the close of their retirement days. More recently, one of my sons said about the hurried nature of life today, “Jesus was slow!” I didn’t take exception to Mother’s statement because Dad was slow unless he got in a hurry. But I put a caveat on and a sermonette to my

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector All my life I have heard the phrase, “Nothing is certain but death and taxes.” Well, we can add change to that list. Change is going to occur. If you don’t believe it, look in the mirror. Then, go find a picture of yourself five, 10, or 20 years ago. Every person is proof positive that change occurs. Change is necessary to be relevant

By Randy C. Davis TBC Executive Director The words of Jesus pierce my heart as I read the facts about the state of children in our country. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: There are more than 640,000 children in our country who spent time in out-of-home care (in foster care) during 2012 — nearly 400,000 of them on any given day. Children in foster care

By Jenna Fleming Writer/Member, Union Avenue Baptist Church It was a year ago that I miscarried our third child. A strong heartbeat one week became faint and irregular a couple weeks later. The ultrasound room was darker than normal on that day. I have two healthy girls, and I know how a “normal” pregnancy is supposed to go, so when the ultrasound tech struggled to find my baby’s heartbeat only