April 27, 2023

Episode 16: Keeping churches and schools safe, Bible bowling is getting big with kids in Texas, and keeping shape note singing alive for 140 years

55 minutes

Church and school security expert Dwayne Harris (Full Armor Church) talks about the most effective (and surprising) way to keep congregations safe. The growth of the Texas Bible Bowl reflects how young people are more interested than ever to know about Jesus. Audrey Jackson reports and we interview Texas Bible Bowl organizer Lisa Kirkwood and elementary division contender Melanie Mitchell. A cappella congregational "shape note" singing is not only the Church of Christ heritage, it has been named the "oldest indigenous musical tradition" in America by the National Music Council. The 140th Annual "Big Singing" in Benton, Kentucky, celebrates and preserves this musical heritage. We interview shape note singing expert and "Big Singing" organizer Gene Gilliland.
Segment One: Church and school security (Dwayne Harris)

Link to Dwayne Harris bio

Link to Full Armor Church training program for congregations

Link to Christian Chronicle coverage of Covenant School shooting in Nashville

Segment Two: Texas Bible Bowl (Audrey Jackson, Lisa Kirkwood, Melanie Mitchell)

Link to Texas Bible Bowl

Link to Christian Chronicle coverage of Texas Bible Bowl

Segment Three: 140th Annual Big Singing (Gene Gilliland)

Link to 140th Annual Big Singing page

church security, church safety, school security, school safety, active shooter, mass shooting, Covenant School, Old National Bank, Nashville, Louisville, Brentwood Hills Church of Christ, Dwayne Harris, Full Armor Church, Texas Bible Bowl, Bible bowl, Bandera, Audrey Jackson, Barna Group, Pew Research, nones, youth, young people, teenagers, college students, college age, Bible knowledge, Bible study, Jesus, Audrey Jackson, Lisa Kirkwood, Melanie Mitchell, McDermott Road Church of Christ, Plano, Texas, 140th Annual Big Singing, Big Singing, acappella, congregational singing, harmony, shape notes, Benton, Kentucky, Reidland Church of Christ, Paducah, Marshall County, Gene Gillilland, National Music Council, Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, William Walker, Society for the Preservation of Southern Harmony Singing

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