TBC lectureship explores unity

Audio versions of lectures available on TBC web site

By AMY DAVIS
for Tennessee Bible College

COOKEVILLE—The theme was "The Unity of God's People," and that's just what happened May 2-6 when church members from near and far gathered in Cookeville during Tennessee Bible College's 27th annual Spiritual Renewal Week lectureship.

"This year's program was among the best ever," said TBC President Malcolm Hill. "Our theme, 'The Unity of God's People,' was on target. Good crowds were present, and the unity of the Spirit was evident. Many brethren from area churches were present, as well as preachers, and we greatly appreciate this."

TBC President
Malcolm Hill

Hill, who also serves as a minister and elder at Northeast church of Christ in Cookeville, was among several local church leaders participating in this year's lectureship, his topic of discussion being "Neither to the Right Nor the Left."

"There are two extremes to be avoided as we serve the Lord," he said. "Some go too far to the right, and others go too far to the left. The extreme right is just as wrong as the extreme left. We certainly understand there are small matters that need attention, but we also see the larger matters."

Also taking part in the lectureship from the Upper Cumberland area were Kerry Duke, Clarence DeLoach, Ronald D. Gilbert and Glenn B. Ramsey, all of Cookeville, Paul Wilmoth of Sparta and Ancil Jenkins of Jamestown.

Kerry Duke, who serves as dean of TBC and minister of West End Church of Christ in Livingston, spoke on several topics during the lectureship, including the Missionary Society.

Kerry Duke

He said, "Issues from the past sometimes come back to haunt us. The Missionary Society was a common controversy in the 1800s, but few today understand what the disagreement was about. Now some are calling works missionary societies that are not, and this is causing needless division."

Clarence DeLoach, minister at Willow Avenue Church of Christ in Cookeville, spoke on "Instrumental Music in Worship."

"Many think it strange in the worship of churches of Christ to find there is a conspicuous absence of an organ or piano or some mechanical orchestra," he said.

But that absence, he says, is due to the lack of authority for their use in the New Testament. He named nine New Testament passages in which singing only is described in reference to worship.

Clarence Deloach

"Church music in the New Testament was vocal — a cappella," he said. "The Old Testament has several references to instruments in connection with the worship of God's people then, but in the text of the New Testament, to which we are committed, not one sound of an instrument is heard... just simply singing."

In keeping with the theme of the lectureship, he added, "It is better to be divided by truth than to be united in error."

Ronald D. Gilbert, who serves as director of missions at TBC and preaches at Rock Valley Church of Christ in Tompkinsville, Ky., spoke on "The Wrong Kind of Unity."

Ronald D. Gilbert

He said, "Some feel that unity is so important they are willing to have unity at any price. When we compromise the truth in order to have unity we have gone beyond God's word. True unity can only be achieved by following God's word."

Speaking on "What We are Facing Today" was Glenn B. Ramsey, who serves as TBC's vice president.

"God's people must be united in doctrine and practice if they please Him," he said. "Christians must know who they are and what they face in their world so they can properly respond to the challenges around them.

"This study, 'What We Are Facing Today,' emphasized the blessings Christians enjoy and the challenges that are before them. Unity of purpose in Christian service will go a long way in fulfilling the Bible's requirement to 'keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace' (Ephesians 4:3)."

Paul Wilmoth, adjunct professor at TBC, spoke on "The Sin of Division."

Paul Wilmoth

He said, "The church of our Lord is greatly divided today; some things are worthy of division while others are not. If we are ever going to achieve the unity of God's people that the Scriptures demand, we must be able to recognize the difference."

Wilmoth used the church at Corinth as an example — a congregation in early New Testament times that divided over men, matters of judgment, doctrine and spiritual gifts.

"We must stand solidly on God's word when it comes to doctrine, but we must never be guilty of dividing the body of Christ over personalities, judgment matters, or how someone says something," Wilmoth said.

Ancil Jenkins, who preaches at Jamestown Church of Christ, spoke on "The Restoration Movement."

Ancil Jenkins

Speaking of the movement, which was an effort during the 19th Century to restore the New Testament church, he said, "Every generation has to restudy and recommit to these principles. The early leaders called for unity on the Bible and the Bible alone."

The remaining speakers of the lectureship included Charles Ivie of Tatum, N.M.; Mac Deaver of Denton, Texas; Hugh Fulford of Gallatin; Herb Alsup of Woodbury; Richard Harp of Stockbridge, Ga.; James McGill of Nashville; and Thomas Bart Warren of Ramer.

Malcolm Hill said, "Our plea is unity in Christ based on the Bible. We have no place for unity in religion based on the teachings and writings of men.

"Let us also remember that we can differ on some things and still work together. Differing does not always mean disfellowship."

Glenn B. Ramsey

Those unable to attend the TBC event may listen to all the lectures and discussions online by visiting the TBC web site at www.tn-biblecollege.edu/lectureship.shtml. CDs and tape recordings are also available and can be ordered by calling the college at (931)526-2616.