The Baptist Record - Journal of the Mississippi Baptist Convention since 1877 August 1, 2026

FIRST-PERSON: The spiritual discipline of praying the Psalms

FIRST-PERSON: The spiritual discipline of praying the Psalms

August 1, 2026

By Todd Pylant I still remember the place where my love for poetry died. Humans are born with a love for poetry. They first appear…

Send Relief Sunday spotlights the Gospel doors compassion ministry opens

(From right) Send Relief Vice President Jason Cox, Send Relief Area Director Matt Waldraff, and International Mission Board (IMB) President Paul Chitwood meet with Venezuelan National Baptist Convention (CNBV) leaders and local church volunteers helping their community in the aftermath of the earthquakes that struck June 24.(Photo credit: Send Relief/Rob Witzel)

Send Relief Sunday spotlights the Gospel doors compassion ministry opens

July 29, 2026

Now that America is 250, how should Christians keep standing for their faith?

(Photo credit: Brandon Porter)

Now that America is 250, how should Christians keep standing for their faith?

July 28, 2026

Explore the Bible: August 2

Explore the Bible: August 2

July 27, 2026

Bible Studies for Life: August 2

Bible Studies for Life: August 2

July 27, 2026

Tennessee pastor, Sunday
School leader Allan Taylor dies
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — Allan Taylor, well-known author and associate pastor of First Baptist Church Concord in Knoxville, died July 28 following a stroke. Taylor, 71, is best known among Southern Baptists for his writing and teaching on the importance of a strong Sunday School and best practices for churches trying to build one. He wrote or cowrote several books on that theme, including 2003’s “The Six Core Values of Sunday School.”bTaylor’s 2009 book “Sunday School in HD” was published by Lifeway Christian Resources. Taylor joined the staff of Lifeway in 2015, where he served as director of church education ministry until 2019. “Allan Taylor gave his life to the conviction that the local church’s Sunday School is not a relic of the past – it is one of God’s most strategic tools for reaching people and growing disciples,” said Ken Braddy, current director of Sunday School for Lifeway and one of Taylor’s coauthors. “Over more than four decades of faithful ministry, Allan’s books and video series about group ministry equipped thousands of teachers and leaders to serve with greater faithfulness and effectiveness.