Adapted with attribution from I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus (Don Everts & Doug Schaupp) In today’s world, faith rarely begins with belief. For many shaped by postmodern skepticism, the journey toward Jesus doesn’t start with doctrine, church attendance, or even spiritual curiosity. It begins somewhere much […]
Joining God’s mission through simple, reproducible communities Church Planting is often imagined as launching a new congregation with a building, programs, and a weekly Sunday service. While those expressions can be fruitful, many leaders are rediscovering what could be called the Smaller Way—simple, relational communities of believers that gather in homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and everyday […]
Rediscovering the Art of Neighboring in Apartment Communities and Neighborhoods The idea behind this article is inspired by Dave Runyon and Jay Pathak, authors of The Art of Neighboring—a book we highly recommend. In it, they share some eye-opening statistics: Those numbers are hard to overlook. They point to a simple reality: most of us […]
How Caring for Others Opens the Door for Relationship Church planting doesn’t always begin with a launch team, a building, or a worship service. And church engagement doesn’t always begin with a big event, a program, or a strategy. More often, both begin with something much simpler and far more personal: paying attention to the needs […]
In a time when digital reach has never been greater, it’s easy for pastors to lead from a distance—to equate influence with impact, and visibility with faithfulness. Yet, the ministry of Jesus was marked not by platform, but by presence. He touched the sick, sat at tables, and walked dusty roads alongside people. In 2025, […]
Celebrating 125 Years of Partnership and Gospel Advance This year, we gathered with more than 160 ministry leaders for the 125th Annual Meeting of the Nashville Baptist Association — a powerful night filled with encouragement, laughter, inspiration, and hope. It was more than a meeting; it was a celebration of partnership — a testimony that […]
Helping Young Ministers Start Well: Guidestone Pilot Project The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board has been chosen to participate in a new pilot project with Guidestone, designed to help young ministers (40 and under) start strong in life, ministry, and financial health. This initiative provides practical support for licensed or ordained pastors serving in roles such […]
The TBMB & NBA Guide Four Couples Through a Church Planting Assessment Church planting is one of the most effective ways to advance the gospel, especially in a growing city like Nashville. With new residents arriving every year, healthy churches play a vital role in reaching communities with the hope of Christ. As Jesus reminds […]
Each week across Nashville, something sacred unfolds around the table. With good food and open hearts, people from all walks of life come together — some have followed Jesus for years, others are just beginning to explore, and many are simply curious. But this isn’t just a meal. It’s a space for spiritual conversation, where honest questions […]
Each year, churches are asked to complete the Annual Church Profile (ACP), which plays an essential role in helping our Association, the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, and the Southern Baptist Convention understand how God is at work through our collective ministry efforts. Why Does Your Church’s Data Matter? Every number represents a story. For some […]