TBC lectureship examines 'God's Plan'

by AMY DAVIS
TENNESSEE BIBLE COLLEGE

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — The theme was "God's Plan," and 14 speakers from the Upper Cumberland area and beyond stepped up to the pulpit, addressing a number of issues during Tennessee Bible College's 28th annual Spiritual Renewal Week lectureship April 30-May 4.

"It's my true conviction that this year's lectureship was the best we've had," said TBC President Malcolm Hill. "People tell me I always say that, but it seems to be the case each year that we make progress because of new thoughts and ideas."

He said the various discussions on "God's Plan" exceeded his expectations.

"I was thrilled at the clarity of the speakers, the research and study they put into their particular topics and the very excellent way they delivered the lessons," he said.

Glenn B. Ramsey

Speaking of the importance of this year's theme, Hill said, "Everyone needs to realize that what we do in religion must be according to God's plan. He is the One who gave us the plan to save us, and our purpose for this lectureship was to teach others that our commitment is to God and God alone in religion."

Hill, who also serves as an elder and preacher at Northeast church of Christ in Cookeville, shared two lessons during the lectureship, "God's Plan for Elders" and "God's Plan for Preachers." 

As for the eldership, he expressed the seriousness of the position, as well as the responsibilities of those overseeing each congregation. 

On God's plan for preachers, he said, "I showed that God has a plan for every preacher of the gospel, and I also went into all the wonderful attributes a preacher should have if he's going to please God in the proclamation of the Word."

Malcolm Hill

Also taking part in the lectureship from the Upper Cumberland area were Kerry Duke, David Hill and Glenn B. Ramsey, all of Cookeville; Paul Wilmoth of Sparta, Tenn.; and Bill Threet of Celina, Tenn.

Kerry Duke, who serves as dean and director of distance learning at TBC and minister at West End church of Christ in Livingston, Tenn., discussed "God's Plan for Fellowship."

"There's a lot of diversity and disagreement in churches today, and much of it has to do with the question of what the big and little issues are. So my purpose in the lecture was to establish some biblical guidelines for determining which are the greater and which are the lesser issues."

David Hill, who serves as TBC's director of public relations and missions and also an elder at Northeast church of Christ, spoke on "God's Plan for Christian Unity."

Bill Threet

He said, "The unity of believers has always been a theme in God's plan, and we need to understand what that means and practice it to the best of our ability. It would make all the difference in the work of the church."

TBC's vice president, Glenn B. Ramsey, spoke on "God's Plan for the Heart." He said, "God's plan for the heart is for our heart to be right with God. It's basic to any individual Christian behavior."

Paul Wilmoth, who serves as associate minister at Northeast church of Christ and teaching assistant at TBC, discussed "God's Plan for Church Contribution."

Kerry Duke

"I dealt mainly with passages from I and II Corinthians, showing the apostle Paul's instructions on giving," he said. "As for the importance of giving, obviously, bills have to be paid, things have to be supplied, and the gospel has to be preached. If we didn't do anything in the church, we wouldn't need money. So we need contributions to meet those needs."

Bill Threet, preacher at Celina church of Christ, spoke on "God's Plan for Church Membership," saying, "God's design through membership in the church is that through Christ we can reestablish the good relationship, come out of sin and walk with Him."

David Hill

Completing the roster of speakers were Bill Battles, M.D., of Atlanta, Ga. ("God's Plan for the Family"); Chad Ramsey of Tupelo, Miss. ("God's Plan for Deacons"); Mac Deaver of Denton, Texas ("God's Plan for the Church" ); Joseph Barr of Conway, S.C. ("God's Plan for Defending the Faith" ); Shun Evans of Raleigh, Miss. ("God's Plan for Encouragement"); Tim McHenry of Tompkinsville, Ky. ("God's Plan for Christian Living"); Phil Dunn of Memphis, Tenn. ("God's Plan for Settling Problems"); and Carl Sims of Manchester, Tenn. ("God's Plan for Soul-Winning and Restoration").

All lectures are available at www.tn-biblecollege.edu/lectureship. shtml. CDs may also be requested.

Tennessee Bible College, located at 1616 McCulley Road, Cookeville, offers a bachelor's degree in religious education, master's and doctorate degrees in theology and a two-year preaching diploma. Distance learning courses are also available, as well as a free Bible correspondence course. For more information, call (931)526-2616.

Paul Wilmoth