Several of Forthright's columnists attended the Freed-Hardeman University Lectures earlier this month. I asked them for their perspective of the lectures. If we receive more of their comments, we'll post them. If you participated, we invite you to add yours below as well.

Very Pleased Mike Benson

I was very pleased with this year's lectureship. Informative, dynamic (at times), very practical.

Wayne Jackson's lesson on the Holy Spirit's relationship to Jesus was insightful and in-depth. Jerrie Barber's lessons on managing change in the church were excellent. A+ stuff. I've heard positive remarks about Dan Winkler's presentations on the Gospel of Luke. Jim Bill McInteer had one especially helpful point in his remarks on resolving conflict between preachers.

Attendance was good during the week. Weather was a mixture of rain and cool temperatures.

I recommend this year's lectureship book. David Lipe did a tremendous job with this year's lectures.

Firm, Loving, Sound! Tim Hall

To some, the mention of "sound doctrine" invokes images of scowls and pointing fingers. Maybe that's why the subject is not raised among some; they'd rather put the emphasis on love and joy. But soundness in the New Testament sense (a word that actually means health or wholeness) does not exclude love and joy; it leads to such.

Evidence of this truth could be seen at last week's Freed-Hardeman University Lectureship. An annual event that draws thousands, this year's edition focused on the book of Acts. Instead of being a dry rehearsal of commands and examples, the subtitle said it all: "Opening our eyes to Jesus: From darkness to light in Acts."

True, there were sessions in which alarms were issued regarding disturbing trends emerging in churches across our land. But the overall tenor of the lectureship was positive. The focus was continually placed on Jesus as Lord of lords, the One worthy of our imitation. Active involvement in bringing people out of darkness to the light of the gospel was a constant message heard.

In this lectureship the Bible was the unquestioned standard of authority. But devotion was not urged to the Bible per se; our devotion was urged to God, a process that can only be known through His word the Bible.

Uncertain sounds are being heard from various quarters in our brotherhood. Thankfully, the sounds from Henderson, Tennessee continue to be faithful. May we be sure to let our gratitude for this be expressed to the appropriate persons at Freed-Hardeman.