BCM SEEKS TO CONNECT FROM A DISTANCE

COVID-19 creates challenges, leads to new campaign to reach students By David Dawson [email protected] FRANKLIN — Connecting with incoming freshmen is always a high priority for Baptist Campus Ministry leaders. Attempting to make those connections this fall, however, is going to look much different than it has in the past.  The COVID-19 pandemic has caused […]

UNION UNIVERSITY SPRING COMMENCEMENT SET FOR JUNE 20

Union University news office JACKSON — Union University’s spring commencement ceremonies, originally scheduled for May 16, will be held June 20 on the university’s Great Lawn.  To comply with social distancing guidelines, the university will hold three separate ceremonies that day – at 10 a.m. for students receiving graduate degrees, at 2 p.m. for non-traditional […]

HOW TO MOVE FORWARD WITH YOUTH MINISTRY

By Jay Barbier Youth Specialist, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board The Great Commission has given followers of Jesus an adventure to live by. Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples as they go! The question many are facing today is how can we do this now? We need to take a serious look at how we […]

STATE REOPENING PLANS A CONCERN FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, CHURCHES

By Diana Chandler Baptist Press SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Southern Baptist pastors in several states are concerned that governmental restrictions on reopening the economy might unduly impact churches. Illinois Baptist State Association (IBSA) Executive Director Nate Adams said many pastors believe the five-phase “Restore Illinois” plan, released May 5 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, is too cautious. […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]