coronavirus

CALL UPON GOD DURING ‘DAYS OF TROUBLE’

By Charles Fowler B&R Guest Columnist President, Carson-Newman University  When my heart is anxious, my circumstances troubling, and the way forward seems uncertain, the Psalms are a wonderful source for encouragement and instruction. While Psalm 50:15 is not talking directly and specifically about COVID-19, I believe that it provides some principles that do help us interpret these difficult days and respond faithfully.  Psalm 50:15 – “and call upon me in the

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SBC ENTITIES, STATE CONVENTIONS FACE PANDEMIC-INDUCED CUTS

By Margaret Colson The Alabama Baptist BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Numerous Southern Baptist entities, including state conventions, seminaries and national entities and auxiliaries, are implementing budget and staff reductions in response to the economic downturn resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. State conventions were among the first entities to take significant budgetary action during the pandemic. While approaches have been varied, the focus of reducing expenses has been the common factor

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ONLY GOD PROVIDES TOOLS TO FACE PANDEMIC

By Donna Gaines Guest Columnist We have all added words to our vocabulary recently. Words like: quarantine, masks, hand sanitizer, social distancing, COVID-19 and “safer at home” mandates. These are all words and concepts that only three months ago, none of us were using. That was before we became part of a worldwide pandemic.  As ministers’ wives, much of the time we are called upon to minister to people in

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BE STILL: TRUSTING GOD AMID SELF-QUARANTINE

By Kenneth E. Ware B&R Guest Columnist Pastor, New Sholar Avenue Baptist Church, Chattanooga Amid such difficult and tumultuous times today, if we are not careful, we may tend to complain and grumble about our present circumstances.  Tornado threats, power outages, loss of employment, damaged houses, demolishment of cherished possessions, loss of loved ones, lack of food, canceled church services until further notice, social distancing and shelter in place ordinances

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LIFEWAY CREATES CHURCH ASSISTANCE PACKAGE

By Aaron Earls LifeWay Christian Resources writer As churches adjust to ministry in a post-COVID-19 world, LifeWay has developed a collection of resources to help congregations. The new Church Assistance Package from LifeWay is available for any congregation around the world and can be accessed at lifeway.com/churchassistance. “LifeWay wants to do everything we can to help churches sustain their vital ministries during this time,” said Ben Mandrell, president and CEO of

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RURAL CHURCH MAKES CONNECTIONS DURING CORONAVIRUS

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] GLEASON — When people could not come to Sandhill Baptist Church in Gleason, the church went to the people. Well, sort of. Pastor Bruce McCartney and his wife, Vicki, and other church members have been going to each member’s home in recent weeks to deliver packets of materials which the families can read together. Sandhill is a small rural church with about

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TENNESSEE GOVERNOR SHARES GUIDELINES FOR REOPENING CHURCHES

Baptist and Reflector NASHVILLE — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released guidelines May 1 for churches as they consider gathering together for worship. “Tennessee’s faith leaders have been incredibly innovative in finding alternative ways to worship that incorporate social distancing so they can continue to provide spiritual guidance, fellowship, and service to their neighbors during these challenging times,” Lee said in a written statement. “Religious liberty is important and must be

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FEW PROTESTANT CHURCHES MET IN PERSON FOR WORSHIP SERVICES IN APRIL

By Aaron Earls LifeWay Christian Resources writer NASHVILLE — As federal, state and local governments weigh relaxing stay-at-home guidelines, most churches continued to avoid gathering physically throughout April. Nine in 10 Protestant pastors say their congregations did not meet for an in-person worship service last month, according to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. A previous study from LifeWay Research found 99 percent of churches gathered physically at the

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LIFEWAY TO DISCONTINUE WORLD CHANGERS PROJECTS AMID COVID-19

By Carol Pipes Director of corporate communications, LifeWay  NASHVILLE — LifeWay Christian Resources announced this week they are canceling World Changers mission projects for summer 2020 and closing all future operations due to declining numbers and the inability to host projects this summer because of COVID-19. “We are sad about the closing of World Changers, but we know now is the time to make this decision based on more than

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THE CERTAINTY OF GOD’S GLOBAL GLORY REMAINS

By Todd Brady Vice President for University Ministries, Union University The last month and a half has been surreal.  COVID-19 has meant that nothing has been the same.  Everything has changed.  No normal routine.  No getting out.  No going to the movie.  No baseball.  No graduation ceremonies. Don’t get close.  Don’t go to school.  Don’t go to church.  Don’t touch your face.  All the focus seems to be on what

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