Tennessee Baptist and Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

THE MILLENNIAL AND THE DINOSAUR

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
[email protected]

Corinne Rochotte takes a “selfie” of the Millennial and the Dinosaur.

This is a bittersweet issue for me personally. It is the final paper designed by Corinne Rochotte who has been on our staff for the past three years.

When Corinne joined the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board’s Communication Team as a designer, the decision was made for her to design the paper, among her other tasks.

Typical of folks her age, Corinne knew what a newspaper was, but just barely. To her credit, she researched newspaper design, worked hard and before long was cranking out each issue like a pro. [Read more…]

COOPERATING CHURCHES – WHAT A BLESSING

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
[email protected]

Cooperation. Churches talk about it all the time. Churches actually practice cooperation when they participate through the Cooperative Program. But how often do churches truly practice cooperation by “cooperating” with each other? My guess is — not often enough.

The standard definition of cooperation is “the process of working together to the same end.”

In this week’s issue (see photos and story here) is an example of area churches working together to show the love of Jesus in their community. [Read more…]

THREE ESSENTIALS FOR BEING A GOOD DAD

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday, June 17. It’s a time set aside for children to honor or pay tribute to their dads.

I firmly believe that having the opportunity to be a father is one of the greatest privileges that God has ever given me. It’s also one of the hardest jobs I have ever had because of the responsibility that comes with the role.

Over the past few years authors have made a lot of money writing books “for dummies” — Football for Dummies, PCs for Dummies, etc.

Fortunately, God wrote the original book for “dummies” —  the Bible, His Holy Word. God knew before He created the world that mankind could not make it on our own. We would need a lot of help and He has given that to us through His Word. [Read more…]

DOES NAMB REALLY NEED TWO DR OPTIONS?

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Lonnie Wilkey

For years, Southern Baptists have taken pride in disaster relief. Even when Southern Baptists were known for their infighting among themselves, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief was still viewed with respect and admiration across the nation.

When there was a disaster, the volunteers who wore yellow disaster relief T-shirts and caps were a welcome sight to people who had experienced a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, or any other event that disrupted lives.

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief was born in 1967. Today it encompasses 70,000 trained volunteers in all 50 states and 1,550 mobile units for feeding, chain saw, mud-out, childcare, and more. [Read more…]

THE PAST IS PAST: LET’S FOCUS ON THE NOW

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

I received a press release recently from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., about an address President R. Albert Mohler made during a “Leadership Briefing” on campus. His topic: George Washington.

Mohler had several kind things to say about our nation’s first president. Then he added the “but.” He referred to the fact that Washington owned slaves and observed that his legacy “is polluted by his short-sighted views on slavery and race.” Mohler may be right, but do we need to keep dwelling on our past? It’s not news. Washington and several of our nation’s founders owned slaves. It’s documented. It was part of the culture of the country at that time.

Did that make it right? No. Slavery is wrong in any era, including today when human trafficking is running amuck in our society. [Read more…]

GREAT ADVICE: ‘KEEP WRITING FOR JESUS’

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Lonnie Wilkey

I was recently talking to a pastor in Tennessee whom I respect as much as any pastor I have ever known. We discussed a variety of topics and as we were saying our goodbyes, he told me, “Keep writing for Jesus.”

Those words came during the month that I am celebrating my 20th anniversary as editor of the Baptist and Reflector. Actually, I became interim editor on April 1, 1998 (yes, I know it was April Fool’s Day) and was officially elected as editor five months later.

What’s more, in May I will celebrate my 30th anniversary with the B&R and the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. [Read more…]

THE REASON BAPTISTS DO WHAT WE DO

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Faces of Dominica.
— Photos by Lonnie Wilkey & Chuck Collins

Tennessee Baptists are once again living up to their reputation as residents of the Volunteer state. Since January, Tennessee Baptists have been hard at work on the tiny island of Dominica in the Caribbean. And, let’s be clear. Dominica is not the Dominican Republic. They are easy to confuse because of the similarity in name.

Last September, Hurricane Maria slammed Dominica hard. It took the brunt of Maria’s destruction. The small village of La Plaine especially was hit with massive force as Maria made landfall there.

Six months later, the village of La Plaine, as well as the island of Dominica, are still in the recovery stage. [Read more…]

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE FEAR OF GOD?

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

The Bible has a lot to say about the fear of the Lord. Here are some verses (all from the Holman Christian Standard Bible) that we all need to be reminded of regularly.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His instructions have good insight. His praise endures forever” (Psalm 111:10).

“Hallelujah! Happy is the man who fears the Lord, taking great delight in His commandments” (Psalm 112:1) [Read more…]

BEGIN PRAYING NOW FOR NEW IMB PRESIDENT

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

The David Platt era at the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention is coming to an end.

Platt announced Feb. 12 that he is stepping down from the position he has held for only four years to return to pastoral ministry. No one can fault any man who believes he is called by God to preach the gospel. I wish him well. He is a gifted preacher and pastor.

When he was announced to succeed Tom Elliff as president of the IMB four years ago I had my doubts as to whether he was the best choice.

Yes, he was a gifted minister and author, but did that alone qualify him to lead the Southern Baptist Convention’s largest entity and, arguably, its most important agency? [Read more…]

YOUR STATE PAPER AND THE FIVE OBJECTIVES

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

Lonnie Wilkey

In 2014, Tennessee Baptist Convention messengers who attended the annual meeting at The Summit at Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood, took an action which charted the course of the convention and the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board through 2024.

Messengers overwhelmingly adopted the Five Objectives that are geared to seeing at least 50,000 Tennesseans annually saved, baptized, and set on the road to discipleship by 2024; having at least 500 Tennessee Baptist churches revitalized by 2024; planning and strategically engaging at least 1,000 new churches by 2024; realizing an increase in annual local church giving through the Cooperative Program that reaches at least 10 percent by 2024; and realizing an increase in annual giving for the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions that reaches at least $3 million by 2024. [Read more…]

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Mail: Baptist & Reflector, P.O. Box 682789, Franklin, TN 37068
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Email: [email protected]
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