An Open Letter To TN Baptists

It is my distinct honor and privilege to serve on the Tennessee Baptist Convention's - Committee on Committees. The Committee on Committees nominates persons for membership on all standing committees of the Convention (except the Committee on Committees). Once the committee's report has been adopted by the Convention, with any amendments, it constitutes election by the Convention. The open letter below is written because we recognize the desirability of broad representation for membership on all committees. Simply put... we need your help in nominating qualified individuals to the open positions.


An Open Letter from the Chairman of the Committee on Boards, Dan Arterburn and the Chairman of the Committee on Committees, Paul Frick

Dear Tennessee Baptists,

Your Committee on Boards and Committee on Committees need your support and input. We are beginning the process of receiving recommendations for persons to serve on the boards and committees of our Tennessee Baptist Convention and Institutions. It is our goal to nominate capable and committed persons from congregations of every size, whether they serve an urban, suburban, or rural community. We believe that there are huge untapped reserves of talent within the borders of our great state, especially among our laity. Our committees want to utilize this talent for the glory of God.

You can help us in this work by nominating capable persons from your church or association. When the recommendation forms are sent out by the convention office, please prayerfully participate in this process. Help us involve more of our Tennessee Baptists in the life and work of our convention. Serving our convention is a commitment that requires a sacrifice of time and energy. But this service is rewarded with the experience of working with others to further God's Kingdom.

Please pray for us in the months ahead as we carry out our work. Thank you for your service to the Lord.


May God's blessings be with you,
Dan Arterburn, Chairman of the Committee on Boards
Paul Frick, Chairman of the Committee on Committees

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The following is a description of convention committees toward which the Committee on Committees makes recommendations:

Committee on Arrangements
Prepares the order of business (agenda) for, and serves as the Committee on Order of Business during the Annual Meeting and any called meetings of the Convention. (Normally meets 3 times during the year, plus the Monday before the Convention)

Committee on Audits
Examines audits of institutions of the Convention and makes a report at the Annual Meeting of the TBC. (Normally meets once in February)

Committee on Boards
Nominates persons to the Annual Meeting of the Convention for membership on Convention boards and governing bodies of institutions affiliated with the Convention. Also, the Committee nominates the Committee on Committees. (Normally meets 3 times a year, plus the Monday before the Convention)

Constitution and Bylaws Committee
Reviews periodically the Convention’s procedures concerning its boards of trustees and its standing committees, reporting to the Convention as it deems necessary. Studies matters concerning the Convention’s Constitution and Bylaws which may be referred to it by the Convention or by other sources, reports its findings or recommendations to the Convention. (Normally meets 2 times during the year, plus the Monday before the Convention and sometimes during the Annual Convention meeting)
Committee on Credentials
Confirms credentials of Messengers attending the Annual Meeting of the TBC. Collects and counts ballots and reports results, including vote totals, to the presiding officer during the Annual Meeting. (Normally meets once—on Monday before the Convention)

Historical Committee
Recommends appropriate measures for the preservation of Tennessee Baptist history. (Normally meets in February each year)

Committee on Resolutions
Receives, comments on, drafts, and recommends to the Convention any Memorials or Resolutions it may deem wise from among those referred to it by the Convention. (Normally meets during the Annual Meeting of the Convention)

The Nature of the Second Coming

On March 6, 2007, ABC News ran a news story about a 62-year ex-felon by the name of José Luis de Jesús Miranda. This man lives outside Houston, Texas; smokes cigars, drinks Scotch, and claims to have as many as 1 million followers in 30 countries. When asked by ABC News to explain his identity, he replied and I quote… “Jesus Christ, man, the second manifestation, the Second Coming of Christ.” Well, I can assure you of two things. First, Jose De Jesus is not Jesus Christ or the second coming of Jesus Christ. Second, the real Jesus will come one day!

The Second Coming of Christ is the most recorded subject of the Bible. In fact, the first coming of Jesus demands His second coming. He came the first time to redeem the soul; He is coming the second time to redeem the body. The Bible says in 1 John 3:2… that when he comes we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. When Jesus comes the second time, the Church will be exalted to her intended position and true function, to rule and reign with Christ over the earth. Also, when Jesus comes the second time, the covenant promises of God to Israel will be fulfilled, a government of everlasting righteousness and peace will be set up, and the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth. The grace of God that bringeth salvation teaches us to look for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Now, I appreciate and agree with the 2000 BF&M of the Southern Baptist Convention, and we have adopted that statement as our church doctrinal statement. However, the BF&M is only a concise statement and a consensus statement of what like-minded Baptists agree upon. This leads to some short comings and generalizations in places. The Doctrine of the Second Coming is one of those places. Here is what the BF&M says about the Return of Our Lord… under section 10 titled LAST THINGS…

“God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.”

“God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end.” That my friends is about as generic a statement as is possible in a statement of faith.

So, what is the next event on God’s prophetic clock? What are Christians commanded to watch, wait, and work for? It is not the appearing of the Anti-Christ. It is not the mark of the beast. It is not even the Great Tribulation time period. The next event on God’s prophetic timetable is the Return of Christ.

Most people have a hard time understanding the Second Coming because they do not differentiate the 2 different aspects of the "Second" Coming. Sometimes in order to look forward, we need to look back. In this case, history is a great teacher. For example, concerning the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the prophets gave us basically information regarding 2 aspects… His Birth and His Death. The vast majority of the O.T. prophecies regarding the Lord Jesus’ "First Coming" have to do with either His birth or His death. His birth was to take place in Bethlehem, born of a virgin, born of the house and linage of David, etc. Likewise, His death had many prophecies; He was to be betrayed, hated without reason, beaten and spit upon, would not open His mouth to defend Himself, numbered with transgressors, hands and feet pierced, bones not be broken, buried with the rich, resurrected from the dead and many others.

In order for us to grasp and understand the nature of second coming, we need to think of it in terms of the first coming. For example, the Bible says in Revelation 16:15… “Behold I come as a thief”. Then, in Revelation 1:7 we read… “Behold He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him.” In the first verse the second coming of Christ is compared to that of a thief who comes secretly and of course unseen. The other verse is a declaration that He will come publicly and be visible to all. These verses seem to contradict each other, but actually they do not. Each verse is a description of a distinctive part of the Second Coming. The first part we call the Rapture and the second part we call the Revelation.

At the Rapture… Jesus comes FOR His Church.
At the Revelation… Jesus comes WITH His Church.
At the Rapture… Christians are caught up to meet Jesus in the air.
At the Revelation… Jesus' feet touch the earth.
At the Rapture… Jesus will gather His Bride, the Church, unto Himself in preparation of the Marriage of the Lamb.
At the Revelation… Jesus will execute judgment on the earth and establish His Kingdom.
The Rapture will happen in a moment… in the twinkling of an eye (blink and it's over!).
The Revelation will be a slow coming. Everyone will see Jesus coming with great power and great glory!
At the Rapture… Jesus will descend from Heaven with a shout (calling for the saints).
At the Revelation… no shout is mentioned, although the Lord does slay the wicked with the sword of His mouth.
At the Rapture… a resurrection will take place.
At the Revelation… there is no resurrection spoken of.
At the Rapture… Jesus doesn't return riding a white horse.
At the Revelation… Jesus will return riding a white horse and leading a white horse army.

It is important that we differentiate between these 2 aspects if we are to fully comprehend the nature of the second coming of Christ. Again, history is a great teacher. Christ says in Revelation 22:20... "Surely I come quickly." Let us agree with John and pray... "Even so, come, Lord Jesus".

Quick Update With Pictures...

The Thompson Springs Baptist Church gathered together in front of what was our sanctuary.



The Thompson Springs Baptist Church gathered together in the Taylor Elementary School Gymnasium (our temporary home for the next couple of months).



Pastor Joe White (me) preaching while the Taylor Tiger listens closely. LOL


The fire has been officially labeled as "undetermined", however, they found no signs of "criminal intent". We are thankful for those who have reached out, helped, and most of all prayed for us. Please keep us in your prayers.