Freed-Hardeman University will host the 75th Annual Bible Lectureship Feb. 6-11. This year’s theme is “Proclamation and Promise: Major Themes in the Minor Prophets.” A total of 124 speakers will speak in 134 sessions beginning Sunday evening and continuing through chapel Friday at 10:30 a.m. Thousands of visitors will converge on Henderson to study the last 12 books of the Old Testament throughout the week.
The night series is always a focal point of the lectureship, according to Dr. Billy Smith, dean of the FHU School of Biblical Studies. At 7:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, speakers will discuss “The Prophets Proclaim.” The lectureship committee identified what it felt were the five best known verses from the Minor Prophets, and each night a different speaker will conduct a thorough examination of one of these verses. The series will begin Sunday with David Shannon, Mount Juliet, Tenn., considering “What Does the Lord Require?” based on Micah 6:8. Monday night, Lectureship Director David Lipe, Cookeville, Tenn., will explore the implications of Hosea 4:6 with “Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge.” Tuesday night Eugene Lawton, Newark, N.J., will discuss “Rend Your Hearts,” from Joel 2:13. On Wednesday, Dan Winkler, Huntingdon, Tenn., will consider “The Just Shall Live By Faith,” based on Habakkuk 2:4. Finally, Alan E. Highers, Henderson, will close this series Thursday with “The Great Day is Coming” from Zephaniah 1:14.
The daily chapel series is also a well-attended session. This year’s chapel theme is “The Prophets Call.” The 10:30 a.m. series will include the following speakers and texts: Monday, Thomas B. Warren, Glasgow, Ky., “Seek the Lord,” Hosea 10:12; Tuesday, Aaron Palmer, Paragould, Ark., “Please the Lord,” Malachi 3:4; Wednesday, Drew Kizer, Leeds, Ala., “Rejoice in the Lord,” from Zechariah 9:9; Thursday, Jeremiah Tatum, Cookeville, Tenn., “Wait for the Lord,” Zephaniah 3:8; and Friday, Bill Watkins, Nashville, Tenn., “Come to the Lord,” Micah 6:6.
Open Forum, another Lectureship staple, will be moderated by Dr. Ralph Gilmore, an FHU Bible teacher, daily at 3:30 p.m. Audience members are invited to ask questions regarding issues facing the church. Questions may be submitted online at
openforum.fhu.edu.
Two workshops designed to give specific focus to certain areas of ministry have been planned. The 18th Annual Youth Workers’ Workshop will be Monday and Tuesday in the Henderson Church of Christ located beside the university. It is aimed at all individuals who minister to young people in the church. The 3rd Annual Bible School Workshop will be Wednesday. This workshop is intended to promote and strengthen the Bible school programs of local churches.
Each year the Lectureship recognizes a member of the church who has made a significant contribution to the brotherhood. This year, Neil W. Anderson, a prominent figure in Christian publishing since 1965, will be honored at the Appreciation Dinner Tuesday night. Anderson has been involved with the Gospel Advocate magazine for a number of decades. He has been publisher since 1982, owner since 1990, and editor since 1999. Anderson also served as president of the Gospel Advocate Company from 1981-1997. Tickets for the dinner are $10 and can be ordered in advance from Alice Holtin at 731-989-6769.
The university will honor churches who have become Lectureship sponsors with a dinner Monday evening.
In addition to the lectures and classes held throughout the week, more than a hundred vendors will be in Bader Gymnasium offering a variety of goods, from clothing and jewelry to the more traditional books, CDs, and tapes. Also in Bader Gym, the Freed-Hardeman Associates will be selling hot lunches Monday-Friday.
To help alleviate the expected traffic problems, the university will offer a shuttle service from the outlying parking areas to the university’s main buildings. Tents will mark the stops for the vans.