Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
Southern Baptists are once again in the national news. Here are a sampling of headlines from across the nation last week:
“Southern Baptists take first step in approving ban on women pastors” — The Tennessean
“Southern Baptists move to purge churches with female pastors” — The New York Times
“Southern Baptists vote to expel two churches led by female pastors” — NBC News
And the list continues to grow.
Sadly, this did not need to be national news. [Read more…]
Cleve and Carol Turner are parents of Chris Turner, director of communications for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
Father’s Day is not like Mother’s Day and not always in the best way.
I was sitting behind a dad and his son during church on Father’s Day several years ago. The son was probably about 11 or 12 years old. The sermon majored on how fathers “need to pick it up,” supported by a healthy dose of dead-beat-dad statistics. It was a depressing sermon and as I looked around the sanctuary, I saw a lot of dads I knew who were plugging away, trying to do their best for their families and their kids. The pastor missed his audience but his sermon left an impression.
“Dad,” the son said to his father loudly enough that I could hear, “How come mom got roses on Mother’s Day and you get a lecture?” [Read more…]
Being the kind of father that brings glory to God requires time and patience. It is often through every day experiences and activities that children learn trust, compassion and faith. And by working with their dads, they learn skills for living.
My father built the home I grew up in through hard, physical labor. He tore down two smaller houses and even removed the nails, to construct our dwelling. A handsaw, hammer, screw driver, and chisel made up the tools. No electrical equipment was available.
I would run with pride to be asked to hold a board he was cutting or to help position a plank in place. [Read more…]
After I had graduated from seminary, I met with a local pastor to discuss my options. I had to decide if I wanted to pursue a “senior” pastorate or if I wanted to pursue a staff position. He told me to go and “cut my teeth” at my first position. What a graphic, yet accurate, description of many pastors’ first experiences.
After much prayer and other counsel, I took a staff position. It was a heart-wrenching decision, but I believe God has worked great things through it. I am so grateful for that pastor and his willingness to be brutally honest with me.
However, that was nearly five years ago, and I have just recently completed my first year at my first pastorate. I wrote this article to provide assistance to other would-be first-time pastors from the perspective of someone who just “cut his teeth.” [Read more…]
Wisdom-Martin
According to an insect identification database, 647 types of bugs and insects are found in Alabama. Some downright scare me. I looked at images of each until I located the entry most resembling the flying insect I watched from a chair on my back deck.
I believe it was a common whitetail skimmer dragonfly that captured my attention. I can’t be totally sure since there are 5,000 species of dragonflies. I’m comfortable with that guess since the common whitetail is prevalent in North America. [Read more…]
Southern Baptist Convention president Bart Barber, a pastor in Farmersville, Texas, recently announced on a Twitter video that he expects there will be a motion to amend the SBC’s Constitution and Bylaws along with the motion for the newly elected SBC president to appoint a committee to study both the Constitution and Bylaws and the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.
The proposed amendment from Virginia pastor Mike Law would clarify that the SBC only cooperates with churches that do not affirm, appoint or employ a woman as a pastor of any kind. For the amendment to be voted on by messengers at the convention in New Orleans next week, the SBC Executive Committee will need to advance the amendment at its Monday meeting prior to Tuesday’s annual meeting.
If the EC chooses not to advance it, it could also be considered if a new motion is introduced asking the messengers to vote at this year’s annual meeting. For that to happen, messengers would have to approve voting on it at this year’s annual meeting, then subsequently approve the amendment by a two-thirds vote at both this year’s and next year’s annual SBC meetings. [Read more…]
One of the adventures I love is leading tours of the Holy Land. Seeing God’s Word come alive in people’s lives is something that I really enjoy. Each time I go to Israel, one of my favorite places to go is the boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
I seem to always think about that time Jesus came to His disciples walking on the water, and Peter called out to the Lord to walk on the water. Jesus told Peter, “Come!”
At that point Peter had a decision to make about his faith in the Lord. He had to step out of the boat or sit down in the boat depending on his faith.
You know it is easy for us to say we believe the Lord, and we put our faith in Him, but it is another thing to step out of the boat and walk on water when He tells us to “Come.” [Read more…]
Last month a sold-out crowd of satanists descended on Boston for SatanCon 2023 to celebrate The Satanic Temple’s 10-year anniversary.
Many within my tribe were upset, and I get that. I really do.“They’re not even hiding their satanism anymore!”
Be that as it may, brothers and sisters, “Satan (also) disguises himself as an angel of light” (II Corinthians 11:14).
So, if we’re going to be offended by misguided souls parading their hostility against God, let us be equally offended by anything that opposes the holy heart of God.
When Peter pushed back against Jesus’ talk of dying, do you remember what Jesus said? [Read more…]
Dedicado a todos aquellos que compartieron valientemente sus luchas personales contra la salud mental, con la esperanza de que su valentía inspire una mayor comprensión y compasión hacia aquellos que sufren en silencio.
Perez
El Evangelio y la salud mental están interconectados porque ambos abordan la condición humana y nuestra necesidad de sanación gracia, compasión y restauración. Más importante aún, demuestran cómo deben responder los cristianos a un mundo que está en sufrimiento y quebrantado.
Por desgracia, existe un estigma en torno a la salud mental en los círculos cristianos, y muchas personas sienten vergüenza de buscar ayuda o apoyo. Pero la verdad es que los problemas de salud mental son comunes y pueden afectar a cualquiera, independientemente de su fe, cultura, raza o situación socioeconómica.
Como cristianos no podemos ignorar la realidad de que toda la creación se vio afectada negativamente por la caída. En consecuencia, nuestros cerebros también están expuestos a encontrarse con daños. El cerebro humano es un órgano como cualquier otro órgano de nuestro cuerpo. Es susceptible a enfermedades, degeneración y deficiencias en el funcionamiento. [Read more…]
Editor’s Note: The following column is also available in Spanish here.
The gospel and mental health are closely related because they both address the human condition and our need for grace, healing, compassion and restoration. More importantly, it also demonstrates how Christians are to respond to a suffering, broken world.
Unfortunately, there is often a stigma surrounding mental health in Christian circles, and many people feel ashamed or embarrassed to seek help or support.
But the truth is, mental health struggles are common and can affect anyone, regardless of their faith, culture, race or socioeconomic background.
As Christians we cannot ignore the reality that all creation was negatively affected by the fall. Consequently, our brains are also exposed to encounter damages. [Read more…]