coronavirus

LEADERS URGE CAUTION, COMMITMENT TO MISSIONS

July 23, 2020

By Leslie Peacock Caldwell IMB News Office RICHMOND — International Mission Board senior leaders are urging Southern Baptists to use extreme caution if they are considering overseas missions travel for the remainder of 2020. As many countries continue to require quarantines or have not yet opened their borders, travelers could face unexpected circumstances, including quarantines upon re-entering the U.S. The future threat and spread of COVID-19 also remains an unknown

CALIFORNIA CHURCHES ORDERED TO CANCEL INDOOR WORSHIP SERVICES

July 22, 2020

Baptist Press FRESNO, Calif. — Many California Southern Baptist pastors will likely find ways to continue to worship while obeying Gov. Gavin Newsom’s July 13 order forbidding indoor worship once again. “I think our churches are committed to doing what needs to be done to keep in contact with their members,” said Terry Barone, communications team leader for the California Southern Baptist Convention. “We would have to say that we’re

‘GOD NEVER WASTES A HURT’

July 21, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] COLLIERVILLE — As the world stands divided over where facemasks should be worn to help prevent the coronavirus, it’s not an issue for Mark LaGrone. It’s not even up to debate for the 60-year-old LaGrone, who serves as the discipleship/assimilation pastor at First Baptist Church, Collierville. LaGrone’s resolve for the need to wear a face covering while the world is still dealing

THINK ABOUT JESUS WHEN IT’S TIME TO WEAR MASK

July 21, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] There is an ongoing debate in our nation today over the effectiveness of facemasks preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Some of the debate centers around the perception of government leaders telling us to wear one. I must confess. I don’t like to be told that I have to wear a mask. I can’t stand to wear one if you want to

ERLC ENCOURAGES CHURCH, CIVIC PARTNERSHIP ON COVID-19 CONTACT TRACING

July 14, 2020

Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP) — Churches should partner with government officials to fight the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) while receiving First Amendment protections as they cooperate, the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission said in a new statement. The ERLC issued a document July 10 that provides guidance to church and civic leaders regarding the effort to protect public health, particularly through the process known as contact tracing.

C-N ANNOUNCES FALL PLANS; CLASSES TO START AUG. 19

July 10, 2020

Baptist and Reflector JEFFERSON CITY — Carson-Newman University announced its plans to resume classes and residential living for the fall semester. Classes will begin Aug. 19. Like many universities, in-person instruction for Carson-Newman will conclude by Thanksgiving and resume with online instruction for the remainder of the semester. Dining and residence halls will remain open.

CHURCHES ADJUSTING AGAIN FOR COVID-19

July 9, 2020

Editor’s note – For additional resources and an updated version of the TBMB Gathering Together Again document that includes information about how your church should move forward when members test positive for COVID-19, visit TnBaptist.org/reopen. In-person gatherings suspended on numerous campuses across state By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — With the number of COVID-19 cases on the rise in certain parts of the state, pastors and

FIRST-PERSON: FIVE LESSONS I LEARNED FROM A COVID-19 SPIKE AT OUR CHURCH

July 2, 2020

By Derek Allen MOBILE, Ala. — In March, April and May, our church staff braced for a wave of COVID-19 cases to sweep through our church family. It never happened. In fact, for the first three months of the COVID-19 outbreak, our church family of about 1500 only experienced a handful of coronavirus cases. As far as we know, none of those cases was spread at one of our events.

REBUILDING WHAT WE HAD BEFORE COVID-19

June 30, 2020

By Bruce Chesser President, Tennessee Baptist Convention Senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Hendersonville All of us find ourselves now in the unique situation of needing to rebuild what we had going prior to the pandemic. As most of us began the process of regathering in person, we found some things are missing. Most of us have begun with worship gatherings and we will add the Connect Group/Bible Study/Sunday School piece

STORMY DAYS, STRONG FAITH

June 23, 2020

God at work in Hamilton County amid tough times By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector [email protected] CHATTANOOGA — The residents of Hamilton County have experienced a trilogy of turmoil in the past few months. It began when the COVID-19 pandemic first took hold, throwing daily routines into a state of flux. Then came a deadly tornado that created another wave of emotional and physical challenges. And in recent days, Hamilton

coronavirus

LEADERS URGE CAUTION, COMMITMENT TO MISSIONS