Baptist & Reflector - Official Journal of the Tennessee Baptist Convention Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 There are some issues that could cause us to be distracted IF we allow them to. Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 There are preachers all over this state who are involved in engaging the culture for the cause of Christ because they have a clear call from the Lord to do so. And, it is that convictional calling of the Lord into ministry that keeps you engaged in a conflict that might seem unwinnable. Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 Over the last couple of months, I’ve spent a great deal of my time as president encouraging Tennessee Baptists to consider how Jesus came for all people, including people “outside the box.” And the question I’ve encouraged folks to ask is, “How do we reach these people outside the box?” How do we reach people that we’re not reaching now? Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 Not only does Knoxville layman Sammy Sawyer act like Barney Fife, he actually resembles the late Don Knotts, who made Barney Fife into one of the most beloved television characters in history. Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 After less than one year of marriage, two lifelong Southerners are packing up their belongings and heading to New York City to serve the Lord after being appointed this month as Mission Service Corps volunteers with the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board. Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 Reaching people and introducing them to Jesus through church sports and recreation has been at the heart of Highsmith’s nearly 50-year ministry which has included stints with two Baptist state conventions including the Tennessee Baptist Convention where he served as state RA director from 1968-75. Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 In a nutshell, the task force suggests keeping the legal name of the Southern Baptist Convention while adding a non-legal name of “Great Commission Baptists” for those who feel the Southern Baptist name is a barrier to reaching the lost for Christ due to geographical areas or ethnic issues. Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 Focal Passages: Colossians 3:5-10, 14-15, 17-21; 4:5-6 Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 Focal Passages: Deuteronomy 33:1-5; 34:1-12 Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 Whatever the pastor’s text, I expect him to preach the gospel in a Spirit-led way that calls for a positive decision and makes a difference in my life. Whether the text is from the Old Testament or the New, I expect the pastor to make a beeline for the cross before he finishes. Need a text? Try I Corinthians 15:1-4. No one could go away from Paul’s message and wonder, “So what?” Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 Vanderbilt University, an institution renowned for its intellect, has made a decision that has left a lot of people scratching their heads. Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 Gallaty, now senior pastor of Brainerd Baptist Church, was selling cocaine and heroine in New Orleans and “making a ton of money. I thought I was on top of the world,” he recalled. Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 The Worship Center will replace the Tabernacle which was damaged beyond repair by the 2010 May floods. Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 The all-comers policy means that any student at Vanderbilt is entitled to become a member and to seek a leadership position in any registered student organization on campus. Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 The SBC leader said he is delighted to be in partnership with Tennessee Baptists. “We are in days where we desperately need partnerships,” he told TBC staff members. Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 Focal Passages: Colossians 2:8-23 Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 Focal Passages: Deuteronomy 30:1-4, 6-8, 15-20 Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 Churches across Tennessee are seeing this challenging day as a great opportunity for the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our own state and around the world. In a day of cutbacks, downsizing and retreating, many of our brothers and sisters across our state have decided to seize the opportunity to move forward for The Great Commission by giving through the Cooperative Program. Wed, 24 Feb 2012 15:00-0500 I am confident that the 'B&R' will continue to exist in the future, but there could come a day when the print version ceases publication as did 'The Times'. My prayer is that will be many years down the road.