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Tennessee Temple: Can someone tell me about it?

Jerome

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Yeah, the 'Camp Joy' cafeteria. That's where the shrunken church finally retreated to:

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/...ic-highland-park-becomes-church-of-the/97587/

Highland Park Baptist Church, once the largest congregation in Chattanooga with some 57,000 members, will become Church of the Highlands as it holds its first services on Sunday at Camp Joy, property the church has owned since 1946.

"It's a replanting more than a relocation," says first-year pastor Dr. Jeremy Roberts. "We're adopting a more progressive philosophy of ministry. We're really able to have a fresh start in our church life as a result of this movement of the Lord."

Highland Park Baptist, under longtime pastor Dr. Lee Roberson, began Tennessee Temple University, Union Gospel Mission and WDYN radio. Roberson retired in the 1980s.

As of last fall, the church attracted some 370 people in worship attendance.

On Sunday, Church of the Highlands will hold a "classic" service at 9:15 a.m. and a contemporary service at 10:45 a.m., both in the Camp Joy cafeteria
 

Salty

20,000 Posts Club
Administrator
... It doesn't surprise me. They have ignored us for decades, so there is little reason for alumni to support the school. I long ago switched my loyalties.

Just curious what you mean - that the school did not support alumni?
 

John of Japan

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Just curious what you mean - that the school did not support alumni?
The school did not consult us about any changes (and there were many over the years). They did not communicate with us about needs for years. They did not have an active alumni association with meetings and membership that I know of--at least I was never contacted about one. There was a news page for alumni on their webpage that was almost never updated. And the list goes on.

Twice in 35 years they've come out with an alumni directory they wanted us to buy for over $100. The first time I bought one and it helped with our furlough. The second time, a couple of years ago? No thanks.

Furthermore, what TTU did in recent years was try to move beyond their original IFB base and broaden their appeal. That's all fine and good, but don't expect your alumni to send money when you get into trouble if you have moved beyond them. Northland also found this out in recent years--they just did it a lot faster than TTU.

Where I got my MA, they are constantly in contact with the alumni, both by email and snail mail, and there are frequent benefits to keeping up with the dues: news about the school, projects to help with, free meals in the dining hall, discounts for motels, etc. I'm much happier in their alumni association than I ever was with TTU's semblence of one.
 
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Tom Bryant

Well-Known Member
The school did not consult us about any changes (and there were many over the years). They did not communicate with us about needs for years. They did not have an active alumni association with meetings and membership that I know of--at least I was never contacted about one. There was a news page for alumni on their webpage that was almost never updated. And the list goes on.

Twice in 35 years they've come out with an alumni directory they wanted us to buy for over $100. The first time I bought one and it helped with our furlough. The second time, a couple of years ago? No thanks.

Furthermore, what TTU did in recent years was try to move beyond their original IFB base and broaden their appeal. That's all fine and good, but don't expect your alumni to send money when you get into trouble if you have moved beyond them. Northland also found this out in recent years--they just did it a lot faster than TTU.

Where I got my MA, they are constantly in contact with the alumni, both by email and snail mail, and there are frequent benefits to keeping up with the dues: news about the school, projects to help with, free meals in the dining hall, discounts for motels, etc. I'm much happier in their alumni association than I ever was with TTU's semblence of one.

That was my experience with ttu also. I even took some perspective students by the school. But there was never any kind of communication back to me.
 

John of Japan

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
That was my experience with ttu also. I even took some perspective students by the school. But there was never any kind of communication back to me.
I just now got an email from TTU explaining things, a day after the Chattanooga newspaper had it. Even as they close up shop, we alumni are still in second place. :BangHead:
 

Tom Bryant

Well-Known Member
I just now got an email from TTU explaining things, a day after the Chattanooga newspaper had it. Even as they close up shop, we alumni are still in second place. :BangHead:

John,
You beat me to it. I got mine this morning. I responded with basically what you said.

The letter said they had input from the alumni before they ever started this process. I have yet to hear from anyone they spoke to.

It's sad.
 

John of Japan

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
John,
You beat me to it. I got mine this morning. I responded with basically what you said.

The letter said they had input from the alumni before they ever started this process. I have yet to hear from anyone they spoke to.

It's sad.
Maybe they have an "in-house" alumnus they can talk to so they can cover all bases. :rolleyes:
 
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