By Randy C. Davis TBMB President & Executive Director There are two things about which we can be certain in these uncertain days: God is on His throne sovereignly ruling over the universe, and change seems to be a regular occurrence and comes quickly. About a year ago I wrote about a change that few Southern Baptists would have ever anticipated. LifeWay Christian Resources sent ripples through denominational life when
By Charles Jones Baptist historian Canceling services due to illness is not new to Baptist life. Pandemics, epidemics and weather have all been part of our collective experience. In musty old church minutes, it’s not uncommon to see statements like “services canceled due to cholera” — or typhus or smallpox. John Newton (1732-1790), an early Georgia Baptist pastor and physician, left diaries that included Indian uprisings along with illness as
By DeAnna Gibson Contributing columnist As COVID-19 makes its way around our globe, our everyday patterns are in upheaval. The assurances of a few weeks ago have given way to questions of preparedness. Painful dilemmas we now face include school closings and paychecks. Social media is in full flourish with complainers, fear mongers, conspiracy theorists and toilet paper hoarders. Hearing the term “social distancing” as an autism mom, I laughingly
By Bruce Chesser President, Tennessee Baptist Convention Coronavirus. It took most of us a little while to learn how to say it and a little bit longer to learn how to spell it, but it has quickly become a part of our vocabulary. I want to encourage you today. This will pass. And God is on the throne and none of this caught Him by surprise. I believe deep in
By Larry Robertson Pastor, Hilldale Baptist Church, Clarksville I’m going to say something that I know will be controversial to some, but I need to say it. At least I think I need to say it. If your church is viewed by your community as part of the COVID-19 problem and not part of the solution because you continue to gather, shake hands, hug necks, you’re killing your influence in
By Kim Cruise Missions discipleship specialist, Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union While COVID-19 spreads sickness and death across many countries, responses vary, but the most common response is fear. Fear of a loved one contracting the virus and suffering alone because no visitors are allowed. Fear of doctors and nurses being spread too thinly to meet the needs. Fear of retirement savings being reduced to a pittance. Fear of not being
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] For decades upon decades, Americans have always raced to the next big task or achievement. In the late 1880s to early 1900s, the United States entered the machine age where invention after invention improved society and our ability to move about. Automobiles and airplanes became primary modes of travel, far surpassing the horse and buggy and even trains.
By Willie McLaurin EDITOR’S NOTE: Willie McLaurin is vice president for Great Commission Relations and Mobilization with the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. NASHVILLE — COVID-19 will forever change the way we do life and ministry. Change is around us in every area of life. God often uses crisis to bring about changes that were overdue in our lives. Author Tony Robbins reminds us: Change happens when the pain of
By Randy C. Davis TBMB President & Executive Director I loved being a pastor. It was my joy and honor to spend 34 years as a pastor in a local church, so obviously I have a special place in my heart for the men who faithfully labor behind the pulpit serving God and His people. I never saw myself in any other vocational capacity this side of heaven other than
By Matt Tullos Stewardship Development Specialist, TBMB We’ve seen this scene played out in countless westerns. The weather-beaten cowboy in the dusty western saloon looks across the table and pushes all his chips to the center. For better or for worse, he’s all-in. John the Baptist was all-in, too. He couldn’t be categorized as anything other than completely, radically, undeniably committed. His calling and mission propelled him into the vortex
By Randy C. Davis TBMB President & Executive Director There are two things about which we can be certain in these uncertain days: God is
By Charles Jones Baptist historian Canceling services due to illness is not new to Baptist life. Pandemics, epidemics and weather have all been part of
By DeAnna Gibson Contributing columnist As COVID-19 makes its way around our globe, our everyday patterns are in upheaval. The assurances of a few weeks
By Bruce Chesser President, Tennessee Baptist Convention Coronavirus. It took most of us a little while to learn how to say it and a little
By Larry Robertson Pastor, Hilldale Baptist Church, Clarksville I’m going to say something that I know will be controversial to some, but I need to
By Kim Cruise Missions discipleship specialist, Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union While COVID-19 spreads sickness and death across many countries, responses vary, but the most common
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] For decades upon decades, Americans have always raced to the next big task or achievement. In the
By Willie McLaurin EDITOR’S NOTE: Willie McLaurin is vice president for Great Commission Relations and Mobilization with the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. NASHVILLE —
By Randy C. Davis TBMB President & Executive Director I loved being a pastor. It was my joy and honor to spend 34 years as
By Matt Tullos Stewardship Development Specialist, TBMB We’ve seen this scene played out in countless westerns. The weather-beaten cowboy in the dusty western saloon looks