King Institute for Faith and Culture

08/31/2026

We're happy to partner with First Presbyterian Church Johnson City in bringing Amanda Held Opelt to the Tri-Cities! She'll be speaking on her first book, on grieving, at FPCJC. Hope you can join us for both!

We are excited to partner with the King Institute for Faith and Culture in hosting author Amanda Held Opelt!
Amanda will share with us about rituals of grief and healing from her book A Hole in the World.

Wednesday evenings, September 9 and 16
6pm: Potluck in the Fellowship Hall
6:30pm: Lecture in the Worship Center

08/28/2026

We're pleased to announce this year's book group, "Ink, Stamps, & Envelopes: The Novel in Letters," again led by Karen Shaw and meeting at Dragonfly Book Bar: The first installment is a couple of weeks away, but it's a short volume! Please consider supporting your local bookseller by purchasing copies at Dragonfly, a truly delightful book haven on State Street. When you come to the book club, come a bit early to order a sandwich and a glass of w**e!

The King (formerly Buechner) Institute for Faith and Culture hosts an annual speaker series at King University in Bristol, Tennessee.

08/08/2026

Looking forward to our pre-season event with Chad Wellmon on Monday, we're also pleased to present the KIFC schedule for Fall 2026! This is the effort of many hands, but let me particularly sing the praises of Karoline Hobock, Angie Cox Peterson, and Susan Smith, each of whom lends energy, creativity, and wisdom to the work of the KIFC.

Many of these events will have extra components, which we will advertise individually; we hope you can join us as we seek to offer a space for friends to think faithfully and honestly about the ways in which Christian faith and culture inform and shape each other.

07/29/2026

Our dear friend Katherine Paterson has affected so many people deeply: the book that Matt Damon would like to read again for the first time is Bridge to Terabithia!

07/25/2026

Our program for 2026-2027 joins the third part of our mission statement emphasis, responsibility, with a college-wide theme on rootedness. We will consider rootedness and responsibility in education, in place (particularly Appalachia), in legacy (specifically Frederick Buechner on his centenary), in community responsibility, in virtue, in remembering, and in food and hospitality. Details to follow.

04/28/2026

This event is even bigger now! We have added piano by Cody Shivers and a free dinner by Chef T! Doors will open as soon after 6:30 as possible, and you can eat during the show! Please join us for music, conversion, songs, poetry, and dinner as we consider Words For Love and Growth.

04/20/2026

Coming May 2nd: Our first variety show! Full event post to follow, but here is David Winship's amazing poster from the Sign of the George Letterpress at King University. We welcome author Jessica Hooten Wilson, singer Eugene Wolf, and cellist Cherylonda Fitzgerald for an evening titled "Words for Love and Growth."

04/15/2026

Date change: Tadlock Conversations will meet this Thursday, 4/16, rather than 4/23. Please join us as Father Joe leads us in conversation related to Dr Keith Johnson's excellent presentations on Karl Barth and the rise of the N**i party in 1930s Germany. You don't have to have been there to enjoy this -- we'll talk about Johnson's claim that Barth didn't campaign to win, but to witness, and his eschatology. Father Joe suggests watching the video in the comments if you want to see some more relevant material from Keith Johnson. Please join us!

Tadlock Conversations will not meet in May.