NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board directors approved a new collaborative ministry model, examined financial reports, and voted to maintain a two-day schedule for this year’s Summit during their spring meeting at Judson Baptist Church on April 29.
The board also celebrated several ministry milestones while addressing the implementation of organizational changes following a recent 13% staff reduction that has created financial flexibility for the new operational approach.
Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the TBMB, explained how the staffing changes support the new ministry direction.
“This adjustment has allowed us margin in our budgeting to take better care of our current team and embrace a new paradigm,” Davis said. “We’re calling church practitioners and experts in the field to assist other churches in being better at what they do for the kingdom. This raises collaboration among churches, associations, and our entities like educational and benevolent ministries.”
The board received encouraging financial reports, with Cooperative Program giving currently totaling $17.5 million — 3.3% over budget — and the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions on pace for another record year.
Jay Hardwick, Tennessee Baptist Convention president and senior pastor at Forrest Hills Baptist Church, expressed optimism about the TBMB’s direction.
“I’m grateful for what God is doing and how the King and his kingdom are advancing in our collaboration efforts,” Hardwick said. “One of the great gifts of Acts 2:17 is that God has given us a clear shared language of our mission to be a collaborative network of spiritually healthy churches reaching Tennessee and beyond for Christ.”
The board approved several recommendations, including:
- Updates to the Minister’s Family Aid and Shepherd Care policies to reflect organizational changes and current practices
- Appointments of Will Binkley and Nancy McBee to fill vacancies on the Tennessee Baptist Adult Homes trustee board
- A schedule change for the 2025 TBC Annual Meeting, moving it from Tuesday-Wednesday (Nov. 11-12) to Monday-Tuesday (Nov. 10-11)
- Setting the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions goal at $2.7 million with a $300,000 challenge goal for 2025-26
- Allowing Union University to conduct a special two-year fundraising campaign among TBC churches for a campus chapel
- Maintaining the current board size, determining that cost savings from reduction would not outweigh the benefits of greater representation
Directors also received reports on several significant ministry efforts:
Baptist Collegiate Ministry Centennial
Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) is celebrating 100 years of work in Tennessee. Bill Choate, collegiate ministry team leader who will retire in July after 40 years of service, reported impressive statistics: 3,200 university students actively involved, 120 salvations, 165 ministry calls, and 862 international students engaged.
BlueOval City Church Plant
Danny Sinquefield, Harvest Field One team leader, reported on a new church plant in Galloway led by pastor Jay Stevenson. The church launched on Easter Sunday with nearly 200 attendees, exceeding expectations and positioning it as an anchor church in the growing Blue Oval City area.
Disaster Relief Efforts
In the seven months since Hurricane Helene devastated East Tennessee, Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief teams have contributed 32,000 volunteer hours, rebuilt 56 bridges, and committed to reconstructing 40 of over 500 destroyed homes. Teams have completed 325 home repairs and helped distribute $4 million in donations through the Arise and Build Initiative. Relief teams also responded to recent tornadoes and flooding in West Tennessee.
Ministerial Health Concerns
Joe Sorah, minister wellness team leader, presented concerning results from a survey of 722 Tennessee Baptist pastors and church leaders: 32% have seriously considered quitting ministry in the past six months, 31% regularly feel alone, 36% don’t take weekly days off, and 33% are struggling financially. The TBMB is developing strategies to address these challenges.
Leadership Development Progress
The board heard reports of increased interest in ministry callings across different demographics. The number of churches engaged in leadership development has grown from 53 to 149, showing momentum in addressing leadership succession concerns.
ECFA Certification
The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board received accreditation from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, validating their financial systems, accountability standards, and transparency practices.
Emphasis on Prayer
With Nancy Duggan serving as prayer catalyst, the TBMB is emphasizing prayer as one of the two foundational “rails” of their strategy alongside collaboration. Prayer coins were distributed to board members as reminders to pray.
Communications Recognition
Cliff Marion, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Marion, recognized the TBMB communications team for winning 17 awards at the recent Baptist Communicators Association’s banquet, including first place for the Baptist and Reflector as best overall publication. Marion noted these awards demonstrated commitment to effective communication within the new collaborative ministry model.
The meeting highlighted the TBMB’s focus on implementing its two foundational principles — prayer and collaboration — while celebrating ministry accomplishments and planning for future challenges in service to Tennessee Baptist churches. B&R