SBC 2024: TENNESSEE VIBE CONTINUES AT PASTORS CONFERENCE
INDIANAPOLIS — Tennessee Baptists have a strong contingent at the SBC’s 2024 Pastors Conference, both in the audience and in the pulpit. When Adam Dooley, senior pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, delivered his sermon during the Tuesday afternoon session of the conference, he became the second pastor from a TBC church to preach […]
SBC 2024: ASSOCIATIONS AND LEADERS ARE NEEDED IN SBC, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AGREE
INDIANAPOLIS — Baptist associations and associational mission strategists (or directors of mission) have an important role in the Southern Baptist Convention, especially when it comes to encouraging and equipping churches and pastors, candidates for the SBC presidency agree. All six presidential candidates were invited to address the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Conference of […]
SBC 2024: PASTORS CONFERENCE OPENS WITH TENNESSEE FLAVOR
INDIANAPOLIS — Tennessee Baptists who made the trip to Indianapolis for the Southern Baptist Convention 2024 Pastors Conference are being treated to a little home cooking. Three of the pastors on this year’s 11-speaker lineup are from churches in the Tennessee Baptist Convention, including the event’s “lead-off hitter” — Bartholomew Orr — who opened the […]
SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRY REMAINS AN UNTAPPED OPPORTUNITY
BRENTWOOD — Almost all churches believe they are welcoming places for everyone. But many families that include individuals with special needs often feel otherwise. Experts say it doesn’t have to be this way. Churches who want to welcome everyone, including those with special needs, should begin by asking questions, said Sandra Peoples, the disability ministry […]
LIFEWAY TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING MUSIC MINISTRY THROUGH LIFEWAYWORSHIP.COM
BRENTWOOD — After meeting with church music leaders, Lifeway Christian Resources announced its commitment to continue operating lifewayworship.com. Lifeway President and CEO Ben Mandrell said he and the leadership team appreciated the feedback they received over the last several months. “We’ve held listening sessions with over 200 church leaders from across the country since last […]
MEMBERSHIP DECLINE SLOWS; BAPTISMS, ATTENDANCE GROW
BRENTWOOD — The recent slide in total memberships among congregations affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention slowed in 2023, while baptisms, worship service attendance and small group participation all grew. The Annual Church Profile (ACP) compiled by Lifeway Christian Resources in cooperation with Baptist state conventions details the annual numerical changes for the Southern Baptist […]
TBMB’S MAXWELL TO CHAIR NEWLY-NAMED REGISTRATION COMMITTEE
FARMERSVILLE, Texas —SBC president Bart Barber announced Friday, May 31, that William Maxwell, administrative director for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (TBMB), will chair the Registration Committee for the 2024 SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis next month. Maxwell, a member of Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tenn., has served with the TBMB for more than […]
PASTORS FEEL HEALTH INSURANCE PINCH, NEED ‘OUTSIDE THE BOX’ SOLUTIONS
NASHVILLE — If SBC messengers ask a question following this year’s GuideStone Financial Resources report in Indianapolis, health insurance is likely to be the topic. Since 2019, messengers to the SBC Annual Meeting have twice asked GuideStone chief executives questions. Both times the inquiries focused on the rising costs of health insurance. In response to […]
AS ANNUAL MEETING APPROACHES, ‘PASTOR’ AMENDMENT OPINIONS ABOUND
INDIANAPOLIS — Messengers to the 2024 SBC Annual Meeting are being asked to weigh in a second time on whether to add to the SBC Constitution an amendment regarding churches that employ women in pastoral roles. The amendment’s proponents have often cited a June 2023 report, which listed 99 Southern Baptist churches with female pastors […]
SBC PASTORS CONFERENCE INCLUDES THREE TENNESSEANS
INDIANAPOLIS — Three Tennessee Baptist pastors are scheduled to speak during the 2024 Pastors Conference in Indianapolis June 9-10 preceding the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. The theme for the event is “Faithful: Pursuing Your Mission,” based on Revelation 17:14. Tennessee pastors speaking at the event include Adam Dooley, Englewood Baptist Church, Jackson; […]