MINISTERING THROUGH THEIR MISERY

Based on recent numbers compiled by the TBMB, more than 800 pastors and staff members have battled COVID-19 since last spring. Some have recovered quickly. Others have endured extended struggles. Some have passed away. Here are just a few of the stories — straight from pastors themselves — about how the virus affected their personal […]

SHOULDERING THE LOAD

Pastors, church leaders dealing with tough decisions, high stress levels during pandemic By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — Though a large number of Christians may feel their pastors and ministers have easy jobs (after all they only have to work on Sunday and Wednesdays, right?), research findings indicate the opposite is […]

PASTORS MORE HESITANT TO PREACH ON RACE

By Aaron Earls Writer, LifeWay Christian Resources. NASHVILLE — Pastors seem more reluctant to address issues of race in their congregations today than four years ago.  According to a LifeWay Research study, 74 percent of pastors agree their congregation would welcome a sermon on racial reconciliation, with 32 percent strongly agreeing. In 2016, however, 90 […]

CARING FOR THE LORD’S SHEPHERDS

By Randy C. Davis President & executive director, TBMB An effective shepherd loves, leads and cares for the flock that God entrusted to him. But who cares for the shepherd? I love and appreciate pastors and have a genuine concern for their care. My deep appreciation for pastors is birthed out of three-and-a-half decades of walking […]

PRAY FOR YOUR PASTORS

By Ray Van Neste Dean and professor of Biblical studies for the School of Theology and Missions at Union University, Jackson. One key way to be involved in the advance of the Kingdom of God is to pray for pastors. This is always the case, but it is even more significant at this time. As […]

MOUNTAINS & MAJESTY

Worship and friendship are the bedrock of pastors’ hiking trip on Appalachian Trail   By David Dawson Baptist and Reflector [email protected] FRANKLIN — With the overwhelming stress of the past few months beginning to take a toll, pastor David Simmerman decided he would heed the advice of a friend.

B&R IS DEEPLY WOVEN INTO LIVES OF MANY

By Art Toalston Contributing Writer, B&R FRANKLIN — More than 70 years ago, William “Bill” Oakley began reading the Baptist and Reflector. His father, W.B. Oakley, a Baptist preacher, had introduced the family to the Tennessee Baptist Convention’s paper. And the B&R had even more relevance to Bill Oakley when he surrendered to God’s call […]

STRONG LEADERS MAKE KINGDOM STRONGER

By Randy C. Davis TBMB President & Executive Director One of the greatest and constant needs of the church since its birth at Pentecost is God-called, Spirit-filled, well-equipped leaders. One of the greatest joys in ministry is when those leaders unite in spirit, mind and effort to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. Fortunately, we […]

GOD’S GRACE AND A DRIVE-IN MOVIE

By Johnnie Godwin Contributing Columnist, B&R “When things aren’t right in the parsonage, they won’t be right in the pulpit” (anonymous). On a Saturday night 65 years ago at a drive-in movie, I got my first glimpse of Phyllis. She was in the car next to mine on a first date with a guy I […]

‘GOD NEVER WASTES A HURT’

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector [email protected] COLLIERVILLE — As the world stands divided over where facemasks should be worn to help prevent the coronavirus, it’s not an issue for Mark LaGrone. It’s not even up to debate for the 60-year-old LaGrone, who serves as the discipleship/assimilation pastor at First Baptist Church, Collierville. LaGrone’s […]