Tennessee

When Compassion & Business Collide

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector Churches, ministers share responsibility for preparing for life-changing events BRENTWOOD — Gary Rickman has seen and heard the same story far too many times during his 24-year tenure with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. A pastor (or any staff minister) has faithfully served a small Tennessee Baptist church for many years. The minister is well loved not only in the church but the community

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Helping Tennesseans Thaw Out

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — Some things just can’t be sugarcoated — especially disaster relief work in sub-freezing temperatures. “There’s no glamour in working outside in the cold with snow over your ankles,” acknowledged Mike Overcash, interim Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief director. Cold weather poses an entirely different set of issues to deal with as compared to traditional disaster responses that take place from the spring

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Could Bible Become Official State Book?

By Chris Turner Director of Communications, TBC Supporters, detractors opine on Bible as the official book of Tennessee NASHVILLE — The State of Tennessee has 20 categories of state symbols, including official insects, birds, fossils, horses, rocks, songs, and even tartan. Two Tennessee lawmakers would like to add books as a category, and make the Bible Tennessee’s official book. Representative Jerry Sexton, of Bean Station, and Senator Steve Southerland, of

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Racial/Ethnic Work Progressing

By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — The Tennessee Baptist Convention is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse, says TBC staff members. But more importantly, about half of the residents of the state — including non-Anglos — need the Lord, said Willie McLaurin and William Burton of the TBC staff. “Especially with our emphasis on reaching people with the gospel, we should have a focus on

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TBC DR Teams Respond to Ice Storm

By Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief teams are responding to damage caused last week by ice storms across the state. Most of the response work took place in East Tennessee and has occurred at the local level, said Mike Overcash, interim Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief director. Teams from First Baptist Church, Concord, in Knoxville; Knox County Baptist Association; Nolachucky Baptist Association; Jefferson County Baptist Association; and

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Fire Destroys Historic Wilson County Church

By Baptist and Reflector LEBANON — Cedar Grove Baptist Church here was destroyed by fire early on Feb. 21. According to news reports the church, which was constituted on May 15, 1813, is the fourth oldest church in Wilson County. The Lebanon Democrat reported that a church member passed by on Saturday morning, saw the flames, and reported the fire. Joey Cooper, Wilson Emergency Management Agency director, told the Democrat

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SBC President to Speak During NRB Meeting

NRB News Release NASHVILLE — Ronnie Floyd, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, is urging Tennessee pastors to bring their congregations to a Feb. 25 worship service in Nashville to seek revival in America. In a letter to pastors, Floyd said he will be “sharing a biblical vision for revival, renewal, and spiritual awakening” during the meeting held in conjunction with the annual convention of the National Religious Broadcasters.

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TBC CP Giving Remains Strong

By Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — Gifts from Tennessee Baptist Convention churches through the Cooperative Program exceed $3 million for the second straight month in January. TBC churches gave a total of $3,057,818 last month. The amount is $378,495 or 4.2 percent below what was given at the same time last year. After three months of the current fiscal year, however, CP gifts are $85,163 or 0.99 percent above budgeted

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BHET Grants Now Being Accepted

By Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — Applications are now being received for grants from the Baptist Hospital of East Tennessee Medical Missions Fund. The Baptist Healthcare System of East Tennessee was begun by Tennessee Baptists soon after the end of World War II. More than $2 million was contributed by 800 churches in 32 counties of East Tennessee. The hospital began service on Nov. 30, 1949. In 2007, BHSET negotiated

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Status of Bivo Pastors is Changing: Gilder

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — Whereas there may have been a stigma attached to being a bivocational pastor in the past, that’s no longer the case, says Ray Gilder. Gilder has led bivocational ministries for the Tennessee Baptist Convention since 1995 and also serves as the national coordinator for the Bivocational and Small Church Leadership Network.

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Helping Tennesseans Thaw Out

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — Some things just can’t be sugarcoated — especially disaster relief work in sub-freezing temperatures. “There’s no

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TBC CP Giving Remains Strong

By Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — Gifts from Tennessee Baptist Convention churches through the Cooperative Program exceed $3 million for the second straight month in

Read More »