Barnabas File

Seven people have served as coordinator of the Tennessee Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in its 20 year history—Lloyd Householder, Bill Junker, Monty Jordan, Lila Boyd, Don Dixon, Terry Maples, and myself. Three of these friends have gone on to be with the Lord during the past year—Lloyd, Bill, and Monty. Last night at the 20 th anniversary meeting of the Tennessee CBF General Assembly, I had the opportunity to lead the congregation in a time of remembrance for these three leaders. I was privileged to know all of these men and call them friends before they became part of the CBF movement.  I first met Bill Junker when I was a college student.  We later became colleagues in collegiate ministries, and he asked me to write my first published work for The Student magazine.  Lloyd Householder, an innovative and creative communicator for Baptist causes, was also a committed denominational statesman who tackled big projects like Mission 70, a young adult conference that...

Pictured above (L to R): TCBF Coordinators Ircel Harrison, Jr., September 1998-2008;  C. William Junker, January - April 1996; Lila Anderson Boyd, January 1997-August 1998; and Lloyd T. Householder, Jr. November 1994-1995.  Writing is both a discipline and an outlet for me.   I learned this by having opportunities to write!   When I was a young campus minister, I was surprised and a little proud when Bill Junker asked me to write my first article for THE STUDENT magazine.   His recognition and encouragement meant a lot to me. I had first met Bill at Ridgecrest when I was a student and came to admire his measured yet prophetic work with the publications of the Student Department of the Baptist Sunday School Board in the late 60’s and early 70’s.   When I became campus minister at Middle Tennessee State University in 1970, I had the chance to “hang around” some of the staff at the Sunday School Board.   I learned a lot about Bill including ...