Online Articles
43
This just in! The 43rd Southside Lectures are just 43 days away! In six short weeks, we will be treated to another feast of spiritual food and fellowship. In that regard, this special and highly anticipated week will be like the other 42 that preceded it.
Since 1980, this church has hosted four days of gospel preaching, spirited congregational singing, and dignified worship every summer, save 2020. The dates for this year’s program are June 19-22, Monday through Thursday. We will follow the same format as from the beginning: morning lectures at 9:30 & 10:30, evening lectures at 7:30 & 8:30, and 30 minutes of singing each evening at 7 pm. It is a full four days that leaves the body tired but the spirit refreshed.
The theme for the 43rd lectureship comes from a question in Romans 4:3 - “What says the Scripture?” Paul was discussing whether Abraham was justified by faith or by works. To settle the argument, he quoted what the Scripture says in Genesis 15:6 - “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
People have similar questions about a variety of topics today: salvation, the church, marriage, and other social issues. The place to start with every discussion is “What says the Scripture?” This year’s lectures is a call to return to the Bible, to what God has revealed, so we can know we are doing what pleases our Father.
Russ Bowman was 14 when his father moved the family from Lubbock to Pasadena to work with the Southside congregation. He has been a frequent speaker on the lectures and is always well-received for his practical and plain-spoken style. This year, he has chosen subjects from the Old Testament that speak to God’s authority and our responsibility to pass these things on to our children. We look forward to having him home.
This will be David Banning’s second time to speak on the lectures. Of course, he is best known to us because his son, Jonathan, preached and began his family here from 2014-2018. David is from Houston and now preaches across town at the Kleinwood church. Some of his subjects include what the Scriptures say about baptism and worship. We’re fortunate to have him back.
Ken Weliever spoke on our program in 2015. He has a very appealing style in the pulpit that connects the Scriptures to the heart of the hearer. Although he is retired from local work, Ken still preaches nearly every Sunday and travels extensively for gospel meetings. He will be a welcome addition as he speaks on the purpose of God’s people and the things necessary for spiritual growth.
This will be Jordan Shouse’s first appearance on the Southside Lectures. His father, Roger, is known and loved by our brethren. Jordan is a fine young preacher who labors with the Campbell Road congregation in Garland. He will bring passion and zeal to subjects like standing firm for God and what the Scriptures say about the grace and love of God. You will enjoying hearing him.
And Tim Stevens will return to lead the congregational singing this summer. Singing is not entertainment or filler or an activity to “warm up the audience.” Singing is worship. It is a foretaste of what we will do in eternity. Brother Stevens leads in a way that helps us focus on the words so that we can praise God and edify one another. It’s just hard to imagine the lectures without him.
With all of these plans in place, there is still something of supreme importance to consider: YOU! What can you do over the next 43 days to help this year’s program?
You can pray. Pray for the speakers as they make their preparations to be here. Pray for Southside that this effort will help us fulfill our responsibilities “one to another.” Pray in thanksgiving that we have the resources and abilities to provide this opportunity year after year.
You can plan. Plan to be here as much as you possibly can. We are always encouraged by visitors from near and far, but the lectures are primarily planned to meet the needs of the Southside brethren.
You can promote. What an evangelistic theme - “What Says the Scripture?” People need to know where to find the answers to life’s questions. Invite them so they can be here to hear what God has said.
Forty three days to make a difference. What say you?
