"Better Than We Deserve: Honoring Pastor Bill Knott's 72 Years of Grace-Filled Ministry and Community Impact"
We are thrilled to bless him with our prayers and this heartfelt tribute from his congregation, friends, family, and loved ones. Pastor Bill, your inspiring leadership and unwavering faith have left a significant legacy in our hearts that we will cherish forever. Thank you for all you have done over the years. Here’s to another year of life filled with love, grace, and community!
Rev. William Bill Knott
William "Bill" Knott (born September 28, 1952, in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania) is a lutheran pastor, educator, consultant, and community leader currently based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Biography
Born and raised in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, Bill Knott has dedicated his life to religious service, education, and community development. His professional career spans more than five decades, during which he has played diverse roles in the religious, educational, and business spheres.
Education
Blue Mountain High School, Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania (Class of 1970)
Bachelor's degree in Music Education, Alderson Broaddus University (formerly Alderson-Broaddus College) (1970-1974)
Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Wilfrid Laurier University (1976-1979)
Career and Achievements
Ministry and Religious Leadership
Founder and Senior Pastor of Grace Alone Ministries since 2016
Senior Pastor at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church / Grace Alone Ministries (2002-present)
Worked at Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA (dates unspecified)
Initiator of the "Somos Uno" program, designed to unite the congregation by overcoming racial and linguistic barriers
Leader of community service initiatives, including a food distribution program in Fort Lauderdale
Education
Teacher in Broward County Public Schools (dates unspecified)
Teacher at Fort Lauderdale High School (1998-present)
Subjects: Vocal Music, Performing Arts, AP Music Theory, Instrumental Techniques
Consulting and Business
Independent Consultant (1995-present): Marketing, Sales, IT, Accounting, and SEO for small businesses and non-profits
Sales and IT Consultant at Monocle Fractional Yachts (1996-present)
Assistant to the Controller at Lockwood Management, Inc. (1996-1998)
Contracts and Change Orders at Broward Marine, Inc. (1995-1996)
Media
Production Supervisor and Founder/Developer of WQAB Public Radio / Alderson-Broaddus Television (1970-1974)
Philosophy and Approach
Pastor Knott is known for his dedication to spreading the love of Christ and his emphasis on grace as the foundation of Christian faith. His ministry extends beyond the pulpit, actively engaging in community service and caring for the less fortunate. His multidisciplinary approach integrates his experiences in education, business, and media to enrich his pastoral and community work.
Impact and Legacy
Under Pastor Knott's leadership, Grace Alone Ministries has become a spiritual home for a diverse congregation in Fort Lauderdale. His work has impacted numerous lives, fostering a community united in purpose and rooted in grace. His extensive experience in various fields has allowed him to address the challenges of his ministry and community in innovative and effective ways.
Personal Life
Originally from Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, Pastor Knott currently resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. No public information is available about his relationship status.
Grace Alone Ministries
Grace Alone Community Ministries
Project Lifeline United Way Food Pantry - First begun with the original Todos los Santos congregation, the Food Pantry, currently under the direction of Renee Burga, serves our neighbors with the participation and assistance of Broward County United Way - Project Lifeline, Lions Club International, members and friends of Grace Alone Community Ministries, Sunset Presbyterian Church, One Accord Congregations..
Biography of Bill Knott
Bill Knott (born September 28, 1952, in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania) is an American pastor, consultant, educator, and media producer, known for his work in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida community, where he serves as the lead pastor of Grace Alone. Throughout his career, Nott has promoted openness and authenticity in pastoral life, addressing themes of identity and community.
From a young age, he showed interest in church life, organizing "church" games with his cousins during family gatherings. As he grew older, he participated in a youth leadership program that allowed him to experience the dynamics of the religious community.
Bill Knott studied at Blue Mountain High School and then attended Alderson-Broaddus University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Music Education. After graduating in 1974, he worked as a music teacher in Pennsylvania schools. In 1979, he completed his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Throughout his career, Nott has worked in various congregations and organizations, including the Florida-Bahamas Synod of the ELCA and Abiding Savior Lutheran Church. In 1994, he publicly came out as gay, which led to significant changes in his personal and professional life. Despite the challenges, he moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1995 and began re-engaging with the religious community.
Initially reluctant to take on the role of pastor, Nott eventually accepted a call to lead Abiding Savior Lutheran Church. His work there led to his reinstatement on the clergy roster of the ELCA when policies regarding LGBTQ+ pastors were revised in 2009. Since then, he has combined his pastoral work with teaching at Fort Lauderdale High School, where he teaches music, performing arts, and advanced music theory.
In addition to his pastoral and teaching roles, Bill Knott has had a multifaceted career, serving as a marketing and technology consultant. He is the founder of Grace Alone Tech, an initiative aimed at helping other churches with their communications. Nott has a wide variety of experiences in media production, sales, and financial management.
Today, Bill Knott is well-known for his podcast "The Naked Pastor," which explores the lives of other pastors and encourages open dialogue about faith and pastoral life. Through his work, he emphasizes the importance of community in spiritual life, highlighting that the true church is a group of people who support one another on their journeys.
