The conference provides opportunities for ministers to discover new ideas and
meet others who are also in vocational ministry.
Event hosted by Freemason Street Baptisit Church

The Call of the Wilderness - (April 9-12, Marathaon, TX)

A CBF [...]]]> ChurchWorks Conference - (February 27-March 1, Norfolk, VA)

The conference provides opportunities for ministers to discover new ideas and
meet others who are also in vocational ministry.
Event hosted by Freemason Street Baptisit Church

The Call of the Wilderness - (April 9-12, Marathaon, TX)

A CBF Spiritual renewal retreat for ministers and lay leaders

A Baptist Conference on Sexuality - (April 19-21, Decatur, GA)

Event hosted by First Baptist Church, Decatur, GA

CBF General Assembly - (June 21-23, Fort Worth, TX)

Infintely More – Epehsians 3:20-21

For a group I had no awareness existed a year ago, I thank God for the TCBF for giving me the opportunity to learn, to grow and to experience all that it has to offer. Since the end of May, I have been working in alongside Terry Maples and the ministers [...]]]> By Jacob E. Drake

For a group I had no awareness existed a year ago, I thank God for the TCBF for giving me the opportunity to learn, to grow and to experience all that it has to offer. Since the end of May, I have been working in alongside Terry Maples and the ministers at First Baptist Murfreesboro. They have truly been a blessing to me as I explored my call, discovered my passions, and prepared for God’s purpose in my life.  As I sit and ponder where the summer went, a few key events and lessons dance in my head.

Passing people in church, I may not know their names and they may not know mine, but they know one thing about me: I was the victim of the dunk tank for Vacation Bible School. I had just met the ministers and still learning the ropes when I brazenly offered to help in any way possible. The children’s minister hesitated and the youth minister protested, but I brought my swim trunks and a towel. After the results of the penny war between classes were weighed, I donned my outfit and assumed my perch. Let me just tell you, fourth graders are not babies, nor weak. They had the strength, determination and ability to knock me under. And over 7 out of 10 did to the pure ecstasy of the others. Since then, I have been known for the dunk tank and overhear muted conversations of it as I walk down the halls. I learned something from that experience as I bobbed in the chilly water on a blistering day: I must be willing to take a plunge to better connect with people. I thank my God for the dunk tank, the children (even the one who hit the lever with his hand), and the church for inviting me to sit on the perilous perch.

At the 2011 General Assembly, I experienced a group of Baptists proud of who they are and their mission from God. I witnessed a humble group of men and women who desired nothing more than to better the kingdom of God through service and action. I gathered in solidarity with a group of moderate Baptists and finally felt proud to be a Baptist. I learned even when God brings you to an unfamiliar place far from home, a community and home waits around the bend. This moment will stay with me as I leave the internship and carry on doing kingdom work.

My work at the TCBF office in Murfreesboro was more informative than typical internships. I did much more than answer phones and mail letters. I appreciate the time and effort Terry Maples put forth to mentor me and urge me to grow as a leader, a Christian and a person. The countless conversations ranging from Myers-Brigg testing to church dynamics will undoubtedly be invaluable as I move on to divinity school and church work. With his steadfast help this summer, I will be much better prepared to lead and work in a church when God calls my name. I learned that God will take many avenues to prepare me and be receptive to them all.

To conclude this article and this summer, I am reminded of the good times and the good people who made this summer an experience I shall forever treasure. It may have gone by too fast, but the summer held just enough time for God to do God’s work with me in this time of my life.

By Terry Maples, Field Coordinator

As I considered your call to become the new Field Coordinator for TCBF last year, I felt the need to craft a list of reasons why I feel we need a strong CBF presence in our state. Traveling across the state of Tennessee this past year strengthened [...]]]>

By Terry Maples, Field Coordinator

As I considered your call to become the new Field Coordinator for TCBF last year, I felt the need to craft a list of reasons why I feel we need a strong CBF presence in our state. Traveling across the state of Tennessee this past year strengthened and reinforced my convictions about the important contribution CBF makes to the broader Christian witness. Here is a condensed version of the reasons I feel we must strengthen CBF’s presence in Tennessee:

• Belief God loves all equally
• Commitment to church as an authentic body of Christ that reflects the love, values and practices of Jesus
• Belief in the power of the Great Commandment and The Great Commission to empower the New Testament church
• Commitment to historic Baptist principles (Four Fragile Freedoms:  Bible, Soul, Religious, & Church)
• Recognition we don’t hold the corner on truth and we haven’t arrived—we’re in the process of becoming
• Belief salvation is based on relationship with Christ, not keeping rules
• Commitment to solid biblical scholarship in faith communities
• Commitment to sound theological education in seminaries
• Belief in spiritual formation as opposed to indoctrination
• Conviction and affirmation God also calls women to all areas of ministry
• Capacity to embrace doubt, paradox and mystery vs. certitude that leaves little room for faith
• Commitment to express our faith with head, heart and hands
• Commitment to advocate for peace, social justice & racial reconciliation with special concern for the poor and downtrodden
• Concern for and care of God’s creation (ecology)
• Belief churches find spiritual vitality through missional engagement
• Commitment to relational evangelism (telling our faith stories) as a natural by-product of good discipleship
• Commitment to ecumenism and substantive dialogue that focuses on what binds us together as Christians instead of what separates us
• Capacity to embrace unity in diversity
• Commitment to civility rather than demonizing those different from us

While other Christian traditions embody some of these attributes, I believe these convictions uniquely converge in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. That’s why I have committed my life to building the kingdom through my engagement in this ministry. What we enjoy in the Fellowship Community is too good to keep to ourselves!