Here’s a bold, yet certain resolution. Resolved: Tennessee Baptists are pro-life from conception to the grave (and we are certainly pro-life beyond that). The two greatest gifts God offers us are life itself and Jesus as the only way to reconciliation and eternal life. Why would He do that? Love. The Heavenly Father does it because He loves each of the eight billion individuals He created who currently populate the
I have a friend and former boss, Rob Phillips, who has the misfortune of knowing even less Spanish than I do. Because of that, he was easy to dupe — at least on one particular occasion. We were on a remote backpacking mission trip in Honduras. We had just dropped our gear when our guide asked if someone from our group could preach to the villagers in an hour. “What
As the multiplying healthy churches team leader, I work with churches to help facilitate the starting of healthy multiplying church plants and replants. One of the key things that I do for churches and associations is identify areas/people groups that are underserved and under-reached with the gospel. This information is gathered through community analysis, demographic research and what I like to call “boots on the ground” investigation. This last approach
The church at Ephesus was birthed out of movement of God’s Spirit that threatened to put idol makers out of business. The silversmith union rioted because the church became a powerful disrupter of evil as it proclaimed Jesus as Lord. And yet, not too many years later, Jesus said, “But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then how far you have
Editor’s note: This column is a counterpoint to the articles that ran in the March 5 issue of the Baptist and Reflector regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI). Does a church managed by AI improve the soil for the growth of souls? This is the pressing question with which we pastors must wrestle. In the previous Baptist and Reflector, the general perception encouraged churches to move forward utilizing AI. Often the counter
I love a good Cooperative Program (CP) story because Cooperative Program stories are ultimately about people. That’s one reason I love pastor James Suggs. He embodies everything that is great about CP. Pastor James has faithfully manned pulpits in churches across Cocke County for 57 years, and is still going strong, leading Cave Hill Baptist Church in Newport for 36 years. I love him because of his commitment to the
You know the jingle: “The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup.” Folgers built its brand by depicting its coffee, or at least its aroma, as essential to any memorable morning routine. To this day, there are both Folgers drinkers and coffee drinkers in general who couldn’t imagine a morning routine without coffee. What’s your morning routine? How do you start your day? I was taken aback
As the Strengthening Evangelistic Disciples Team Leader, I have the privilege of guiding a movement dedicated to deepening biblical discipleship across the Tennessee Baptist Convention network. This role isn’t just about leadership — it’s about catalyzing a statewide culture of disciple-making that will transform individuals, churches, and communities for the glory of God. There are several ways we plan to implement this: Building a Network that Transforms Lives Our vision
What would happen if every disciple in Tennessee embarked on the amazing journey of reaching the spiritually lost? I believe it would turn the world upside down. More than 50 years ago Roland Q. Leavell wrote,“The genuine objective of the Great Commission is discipleship. Jesus sought to develop quality in His followers, but He also sought quantity. Therefore, Evangelism that produces disciples of quality will multiply as each disciple becomes
Confronting mental health; hearing the words spoken together was jarring, and I tried every way I could to advocate for a softer tone. After all, some in Baptist life these days seemingly believe confrontation is a spiritual gift. In the end, I did not get my way. Now I’m glad I didn’t. Data collected from Tennessee Baptists during 2023 highlighted widespread concern about an intensifying mental health crisis in our
Here’s a bold, yet certain resolution. Resolved: Tennessee Baptists are pro-life from conception to the grave (and we are certainly pro-life beyond that). The two
I have a friend and former boss, Rob Phillips, who has the misfortune of knowing even less Spanish than I do. Because of that, he
As the multiplying healthy churches team leader, I work with churches to help facilitate the starting of healthy multiplying church plants and replants. One of
The church at Ephesus was birthed out of movement of God’s Spirit that threatened to put idol makers out of business. The silversmith union rioted
Editor’s note: This column is a counterpoint to the articles that ran in the March 5 issue of the Baptist and Reflector regarding Artificial Intelligence
I love a good Cooperative Program (CP) story because Cooperative Program stories are ultimately about people. That’s one reason I love pastor James Suggs. He
You know the jingle: “The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup.” Folgers built its brand by depicting its coffee, or at
As the Strengthening Evangelistic Disciples Team Leader, I have the privilege of guiding a movement dedicated to deepening biblical discipleship across the Tennessee Baptist Convention
What would happen if every disciple in Tennessee embarked on the amazing journey of reaching the spiritually lost? I believe it would turn the world
Confronting mental health; hearing the words spoken together was jarring, and I tried every way I could to advocate for a softer tone. After all,