SURVEY: CHURCHES HANDLED COVID WELL
By Aaron Earls LifeWay Christian Resources NASHVILLE — Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, churches responded to serve churchgoers in a variety of ways, and churchgoers are overwhelmingly proud of how their church handled the crisis. According to Nashville-based LifeWay Research, almost nine in 10 Protestant churchgoers (86 percent) say they are proud of how their church […]
DR VOLUNTEERS ASSISTING WITH VACCINATIONS IN MEMPHIS
Baptist and Reflector MEMPHIS — It was not the typical request for help, but Tennessee Disaster Relief volunteers have responded to a request to assist with COVID-19 vaccinations in Memphis. “It is one of our most unusual responses,” acknowledged Wes Jones, disaster relief specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. He noted it is unusual […]
COVID-19 GIVES 70-YEAR-OLD CHURCH NEW LIFE
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] MADISON — Like most every church in Tennessee, Madison Heights Baptist Church in Madison had to learn to adjust to the unique challenges of COVID-19. After deciding to cancel in-person Vacation Bible School last summer, three ladies in the church (Cathy Searcy, Atley Spain and Stacey Spain) […]
INGLEWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH: ONE CHURCH’S COVID-19 STORY
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Over the past several months I have been repeatedly asked, “Are you guys (the church) meeting in person? And, how are you guys doing?” My answer is always the same. Yes, we are meeting for in-person worship. And yes, by God’s grace, we are doing remarkably well. […]
TBMB ACCOUNTING OFFICE ASSISTING CHURCHES WITH ONLINE GIVING PROCEDURES
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — Prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Englewood First Baptist Church collected its offerings as always — through the offering plates on Sunday morning. When churches were forced to suspend in-person services for several weeks at the onset of the pandemic, many churches in […]
A YEAR LATER: TBC LEADERS REFLECT ON COVID’S IMPACT
Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — It has now been almost one full year since COVID-19 first began reshaping the culture and forever changing “the world as we know it.” Recently, the Baptist and Reflector connected with the entity heads from the various Tennessee Baptist Convention organizations to get their thoughts on the past year in […]
COVID’S IMPACT STRETCHES INTO 2021
By Aaron Earls LifeWay news office NASHVILLE — Most churches have found a way to continue meeting despite the ongoing pandemic, but statistics from January revealed that — as COVID-19 cases spiked across the country — many churches elected not to meet in person during the month. A new study from Nashville based LifeWay Research found […]
A YEAR LATER, COVID IS STILL WITH US (AND WILL BE)
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] It’s hard to believe, but one year ago, the world was introduced to COVID-19, a deadly virus that has taken to date more than 500,000 lives in the United States and nearly 11,500 lives in Tennessee. Within a matter of weeks, churches had to cancel in-person gatherings. […]
TENNESSEE BAPTISTS HAVE STEPPED IN, STEPPED UP DURING PANDEMIC
Davis, Chesser reflect on first-year anniversary of COVID, look to future By Lonnie Wilkey [email protected] FRANKLIN — During a year marked by COVID-19, Tennessee Baptist pastors and churches stepped up and “took lemons and made lemonade,” observed Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. Davis and Tennessee Baptist Convention […]
ROOTED IN GALLATIN, VIRTUAL CHURCH PLANT NOW REACHING THE WORLD
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] GALLATIN — A year ago, a virtual church plant was unheard of in Tennessee Baptist life. Now, thanks to Hispana Iglesia Bautista Gallatin, the concept is “a new tool in the toolbox,” according to William Burton, church planting specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. Hispana Iglesia […]