Roy and Joyce Cope Wyatt Lecture Series at Central Baptist Church of Bearden
featuring renowned Old Testament Scholar Walter Brueggemann
Lectures will focus on the Prophets of the Old Testament
February 18, 19, and 20
7:00pm in the Sanctuary
From KnoxNews.com:
Last Wednesday during the noon hour, approximately 150 people gathered inside First Baptist Church downtown to listen to a message from senior pastor William Shiell and to sing the Lenten hymn, “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days.”
Closer examination revealed that the churchgoers were not the typical Baptist crowd. Among the group were likely a few Catholics, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, United Methodists and maybe even some non-denominational Christians.
Read the entire story at: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/mar/02/downtown-churches-take-turns-hosting-noontime/
In 2009, when FBC Knoxville made significant updates to the Sanctuary and installed a new organ, the church also upgraded the broadcast system. This upgrade required the removal of an obsolete studio, cameras, and wiring that was replaced with new technology and equipment with an eye to the future of broadcasting in high definition.
Since its inception in 1975, the broadcast has been run by volunteers. First Baptist Knoxville now operates Knoxville’s logest-running live religious broadcast. Each Sunday morning a team of seven people arrives early to prepare and produce the broadcast. While a couple of volunteers are audio and video professionals, most don’t have such technical vocations. Three teams rotate to ensure a quality broadcast each week.
The new broadcast provides a sharp 720p picture with quality audio that is shared with viewers across East Tennessee and parts of Kentucky and Virginia. In addition to broadcasting in high definition locally, the church also provides live video of the worship service online for those outside the viewing area.
Several organizations collaborated to make this transition a reality – Knoxville’s WTNZ Fox 43, HP Video, and a Florida-based company, The Switch, were all major players in making this happen. HP Video designed and installed the new broadcast system during the upgrade in 2009 and provided expertise in transitioning from standard to high definition. WTNZ, who has been a broadcast partner since 2008, made preparations in their control room to accept and distribute a high definition signal to their viewers. An agreement with The Switch for a 1.5 Gbps circuit capable of handling high definition video brought all the components together for a smooth transition to broadcasting in high definition.
Television viewers from across the region connect weekly with First Baptist as a result of the television broadcast. Viewers often contact the church to request prayer, offer comments, or contribute to the ministries of First Baptist Church of Knoxville. The ministers of FBC Knoxville are in regular contact with television viewers by mail, phone, and the internet.
The transition to a high definition broadcast is simply the next step in providing a way for viewers in East Tennessee to worship God and connect with a family of faith. ”For 36 years, First Baptist has been the Christian broadcast home for thousands of people across East Tennessee. This upgrade represents our continuing commitment to the community to give our best to share the good news to the glory of God,” says Dr. Bill Shiell, Senior Pastor at FBC Knoxville.
That scene now has a human quality to it, courtesy of Knoxville’s First Baptist Church, downtown in a unique performance. Kely Hatley, Music Director of First Baptist says, “Each disciple has a monologue they say and for the exception of Judas, they say “Lord, is it I?” “Am I the betrayer, Lord?”
The Facebook page for Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis began three years ago as no more than a virtual bulletin board.
“It started with ‘Hey, we’re doing this. Hey, we’re doing that,’” said Beth Sanders, who manages the church’s social network.
But when Christ United tore down an aging building on its property, current and lapsed members inundated its Facebook page, swapping memories of the old space.
Continue reading this story at KnoxNews.com [opens new window]
By JOSH AULT
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) – Religion is a huge part of many East Tennessee families, and with a church on almost every corner attendance does not seem like it should be hurting. But for many church leaders, keeping the younger generation going is a huge concern.
Every Sunday at First Baptist Church of Knoxville, pews are filled with more than 600 people. The majority of the congregation is older, 60 plus.
The changing look is a worry. “Most churches lose about 75% of their high school graduates,” said First Baptist Senior Pastor Bill Shiell. Shiell says keeping younger people attending is a big focus.
The church has several programs in place to attract young adults. If you want to get married at First Baptist Knoxville, you first have to attend the Nearly Wed, Newly Wed Bible study class for several Sundays. “What we try to do is really frame the question as to what are our strengths as it relates to young adults,” Dr. Shiell said.
Read the rest of the story at WATE.com [opens new window]
Before the player introductions and tip off, Margaret Cox’s voice fills Thompson Boling Arena. It’s been a long standing tradition for the “singing voice” of the Lady Vols.
“Thirty years, I consider that a privilege and an honor. I love singing and it doesn’t have to be a solo for me to enjoy it,” said Margaret.
It’s a love affair that dates back to early childhood.
“I think that might have been the beginning,” referring to a picture taken when she was 4. “I have no idea what I was singing.”
Margaret found her voice in the sanctuary at First Baptist Church in Downtown Knoxville.
