SOCIAL DISTANCING: A DAILY REALITY FOR FAMILIES DEALING WITH AUTISM
By DeAnna Gibson Contributing columnist As COVID-19 makes its way around our globe, our everyday patterns are in upheaval. The assurances of a few weeks ago have given way to questions of preparedness. Painful dilemmas we now face include school closings and paychecks. Social media is in full flourish with complainers, fear mongers, conspiracy theorists […]
CHURCHES ELIGIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT’S PAYROLL PROTECTION PLAN
Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), recently enacted by Congress as part of the $2 trillion CARES Act to relieve economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, set aside $349 billion to guarantee loans to businesses employing fewer than 500 employees for expenses like payroll, utilities and rent or mortgage payments. […]
CORONAVIRUS: GOD HAS THE WORLD’S ATTENTION
By Bruce Chesser President, Tennessee Baptist Convention Coronavirus. It took most of us a little while to learn how to say it and a little bit longer to learn how to spell it, but it has quickly become a part of our vocabulary. I want to encourage you today. This will pass. And God is […]
COLLEGE MINISTRY LEADERS WORK TO CONTINUE OUTREACH AMID COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
By Tess Schoonhoven Baptist Press NASHVILLE — College ministry thrives in community. But the COVID-19 pandemic — and the resulting social distancing policies, including bans on large gatherings and campus-wide shutdowns — has in many ways severed traditional connections. In an uncertain time, college ministries are finding ways to not only maintain community despite distance, […]
TBMB TO PROVIDE WEBINAR FOR PLANNING EASTER SERVICES
Baptist and Reflector FRANKLIN — The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board is offering a “Practical Easter Webinar” for medium to smaller attendance Tennessee Baptist churches on Monday, April 6, at 6:30 central time/7:30 eastern time. “None of us anticipated a day when a worldwide pandemic would prevent our people from gathering on Easter,” observed Bill Choate, […]
STAY AT HOME: IMPACT ON TENNESSEE CHURCHES
Baptist and Reflector NASHVILLE — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued an executive order April 2 requiring all Tennesseans to remain at home unless engaging in an essential activity or service as defined by the order. The executive order addresses what churches can or cannot do under the executive order with religious ceremonies such as weddings […]
COVID-19 … THEN WHAT?
By Larry Robertson Pastor, Hilldale Baptist Church, Clarksville I’m going to say something that I know will be controversial to some, but I need to say it. At least I think I need to say it. If your church is viewed by your community as part of the COVID-19 problem and not part of the […]
MOST CHURCHES HAVE STOPPED GATHERING, FEW PLAN TO MEET ON EASTER
By Aaron Earls LifeWay Christian Resources NASHVILLE — The coronavirus outbreak has had ripple effects across the country, including in U.S. churches, according to a new study of pastors. Nashville-based LifeWay Research asked Protestant pastors how the pandemic has impacted their congregations and what their plans are for the near future. While nearly all pastors […]
CHURCHES DEEMED ‘ESSENTIAL SERVICES’ IN TEXAS GOV. ABBOTT PROTOCOLS
By Diana Chandler Baptist Press AUSTIN, Texas — Church worship and ministry are considered essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas under the latest protocols issued by Gov. Greg Abbott, but several pastors said Abbott’s directive likely won’t change their church safety protocols. First Baptist Church of Vidor pastor Terry Wright said he switched […]
MISSIONARIES SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN DURING PANDEMIC
By Kim Cruise Missions discipleship specialist, Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union While COVID-19 spreads sickness and death across many countries, responses vary, but the most common response is fear. Fear of a loved one contracting the virus and suffering alone because no visitors are allowed. Fear of doctors and nurses being spread too thinly to meet […]