PASTORS CONCERNED WITH GROWING LEADERS, REACHING OUTSIDERS
By Aaron Earls Writer, Lifeway Christian Resources NASHVILLE — When thinking about ministry difficulties, pastors say they’re most concerned with growing the people inside the church and reaching those outside it. According to the latest release in Lifeway Research’s 2022 Greatest Needs of Pastors study, U.S. Protestant pastors say developing leaders and connecting with people […]
MOUNTAIN TOP EXPERIENCE
Pastors break away for ‘Off-the-Grid’ trip on Appalachian Trail By David Dawson [email protected] NEWPORT — Several days of hiking on the Appalachian Trail would leave many individuals feeling exhausted. Marty Shadoan said it had the opposite effect for him and the other pastors who recently hiked part of the trail while participating in the “Off […]
FEW PASTORS LEFT THE PULPIT DESPITE INCREASED PRESSURE
By Aaron Earls Writer, Lifeway Christian Resources NASHVILLE — Pastors faced increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, as churches were frequently forced to adapt overnight. More felt their role was overwhelming at times, yet very few pastors decided to actually leave the ministry in recent years. A new study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research found close […]
COMMON SENSE WAYS TO BLESS YOUR PASTOR
By Matt Tullos Special assistant to the executive director Pastors are amazing. They speak every Sunday. They provide leadership to teams and champion the vision of the church. They are there for the most joyous and most despairing moments of life: when babies are born, when brides are married, when people die. Traditionally, October is […]
OPERATION LEGACY BENEFITING PASTORS
By Bill Gruenewald President, Tennessee Baptist Foundation In March 2021, the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (TBMB) and the Tennessee Baptist Foundation (TBF) launched an initiative to help all Tennessee pastors and ministers get their estate plans in place. We partnered with Philanthrocorp, a faith-based company that works with charitable organizations in the area of estate […]
THREE REASONS PASTORS AVOID COUNSELING
By Ben Mandrell President and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources “Too fast!” my wife, Lynley, screamed as I drove down a steep hill caked in snow. The vehicle picked up speed like a roller coaster on first fall. “I grew up driving in this!” I snapped, more than slightly annoyed that she doubted my […]
U.S. PROTESTANT PASTORS SEE GENDER CHANGE AS IMMORAL
By Aaron Earls LifeWay Christian Resources NASHVILLE — As legislatures in Washington, D.C. and across the country discuss issues surrounding individuals who identify as a gender different from their biological sex, a clear majority of U.S. Protestant pastors see such gender fluidity as morally wrong. In a study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research, around 3 in […]
PRAYER GROUP HELPS PASTORS’ WIVES CONNECT
By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — Jeanne Davis was determined to bring pastors’ wives together. Even if they had to stay apart. Fortunately, the internet made that possible. Davis, the wife of Tennessee Baptist Mission Board president and executive director Randy C. Davis, teamed up last spring with Melody Cain, the wife […]
WHAT’S KEEPING YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT?
Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series by TBMB Executive Director Randy C. Davis. Part Two will appear in the March 10 issue of the Baptist and Reflector. By Randy C. Davis TBMB President & Executive Director One of our Tennessee Baptist pastors recently asked what were things that kept me awake […]
CHALLENGING DAYS BUT ALSO DAYS OF GREAT OPPORTUNITY
By Randy C. Davis TBMB President & Executive Director I loved being a pastor. It was my joy and honor to spend 34 years as a pastor in a local church, so obviously I have a special place in my heart for the men who faithfully labor behind the pulpit serving God and His people. […]