Day: August 25, 2017

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Every Day Bible

Sing the Songs

September 22, 2010 Harding University hosts annual Bible Lectureship SEARCY, Ark. — Harding University’s 87th Annual Bible Lectureship will be held on campus Sept. 26-29. Christians from across the country will join together for a time of spiritual growth and fellowship under the theme “Hear the Word of the Lord” as they explore God’s word in today’s world. The annual Preachers, Elders and Wives Dinner will take on a new name this year — the Celebration of Ministry Dinner. It will include preachers, elders, youth ministers, missionaries, all full-time church workers and their spouses. Howard Norton, former Lectureship director and current director of the Baxter Institute in Honduras, will be the after-dinner speaker. On Tuesday, College Church of Christ will once again host the Women’s Day program with lessons and discussion geared specifically toward women. Kay Gowen will speak in the morning session, and Terri Rine, accompanied by artist Tessa Davidson, will speak at the afternoon session. With a lineup of 150 classes throughout the four-day conference, attendees will learn from a variety of speakers on topics including Christian senior living, Bible study resources, Biblical interpretation, church growth, missions, outreach, youth and family ministry, and much more. Chinese and Spanish Bible classes and lectures will also be offered. Keynote speakers include Evertt W. Huffard, B. Chris Simpson, Don McLaughlin, Pat Bills, Ken Neller, Daniel Cherry, Jim Baird and Howard Norton. They will be challenging attendees to reflect on the importance of scripture in the present world. The Harding University Chorus, Harding Academy Chorus, Chamber Singers, Concert Choir and Good News Singers will all be sharing their musical talents in performances throughout the week. For more information, call 501-279-5123 or visit www.harding.edu/ lectureship. Follow us on Facebook under Harding University Lectureship.
Singing at a Lectureship

When we worship, I don’t care if you sound like a cat stuffed with gravel going through the garbage disposal, you still need to sing. Eric likes to remind us that singing isn’t just for singers, it’s for believers.

James says that if we’re joyful, we should sing songs of praise (James 5:13). When Paul and Silas were in a Philippian dungeon at midnight, they sang through their suffering (Acts 16:25). Before he left the Last Supper to meet his betrayer, Jesus and the disciples took time to sing a hymn (Matthew 26:30).

I don’t love every song we sing. That’s not the point. There are some songs I know better than others. That’s also not the point. We sing as a “sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15) to “teach” and “admonish” one another (Colossians 3:16). So, it’s important to do the best we can, to join in, and to participate for our own sake and for others.

When I sing “Jesus Loves Me,” I remember a heart-breaking funeral for my neighbor’s child who died of SIDS. “I Am Bound for the Land of Canaan,” takes me back to my grandparents’ RV in the hills of east Tennessee. (Whenever we went to Arby’s, my grandmother would sing, “I am bound for the land of Arby’s” instead!) When I sing “I Love You, Lord,” I remember standing in the cold water of the baptistery at Camp Leatherwood after I was baptized and singing those words. “Freely, Freely” takes me back to a mission trip with Leslie in New Zealand. “Heavenly Sunlight” reminds me of how much Rilla Walp liked that song.  “Lord, Be There” brought me comfort when I was lonely and afraid. “This World Is Not My Home” reminds me of when I first tried out at Burns.

I could keep going, but I’m out of room. If you’ve been in the church a long time, you could make your own list. My point is that these songs stick with us. So give yourself and the church a powerful gift by singing them with us.