OC hosts a ‘Fully Engaged’ lectureship

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The 64th annual Oklahoma Christian University Lectureship is back and expected to draw together members of different Churches of Christ.

“It is a service that the university provides to churches to help encourage them and hopefully inspire them,” Director of Church Relations Bob Rowely said. “We want to provide opportunities for them to hear speakers from a lot of different areas [who] have expertise in different things.”

Bob Rowley, with Alan Martin, Stafford North and Kaye Wilkerson coordinated this year’s 64th lectureship.

“This year’s theme is ‘Fully Engaged,’ and the thought-process is we want to help churches to fully engage their members in the work of the church,” Rowely said. “Oftentimes church leaders say, ‘we wish we could find more ways to get our people involved in the works of the church.’ Hopefully we can provide very practical ways to help these church leaders.”

For senior Payton Minzenmayer, a preaching and ministry major, the lectureship is an opportunity to gain insight for his future career.

“I attend the lectureships because I love all the new people that come and the new voices that you don’t get to hear on a very regular basis,” Minzenmayer said. “And the voices that you do regularly hear like in Bible classes, you get to hear a new perspective or a new topic rather than just academic stuff. You get to hear a lot of personal studies, personal interests and personal ideas.”

Senior Brady Ross said he looks forward to the lectureship as an opportunity for growing in his future ministry.

“I’m currently working in youth ministry, but plan on preaching one day,” Ross said. “I think this lectureship will benefit me. Not only by the material, but by helping me continue to make connections with different ministers from across the country.”

On the first day of the lectureship at 7 p.m., keynote speaker Mitch Wilburn, a Tulsa native, will speak on the topic “Fully Engaged: Follow in His Steps” in the Hardeman Auditorium. Following the keynote session, the singing group Acappella will perform.

“I liked the topic “Fully Engaged” because it is something that everybody can apply to,” Minzenmayer said. “Personal or full engagement is something that every Christian has to face, has to deal with. It is something that everybody can relate to. Everybody can learn something and everybody can be engaged in the conversation.”

For this year’s lectureship, 1 Peter 2:21 was chosen as the main scripture in focus.

“We believe that when you think about following in the steps of Jesus, what are some of the things that we should be doing if we follow in His steps?” Rowley said. “We should be serving, telling, exemplifying, praying and sacrificing to follow in His steps.”

Oklahoma Christian students are encouraged to participate and engage in the different classes taking place on Monday and Tuesday.

“We really want students to be part of the lectureship because we believe that they can be encouraged and inspired as well, “ Rowely said. “It’s not just for people out of town and out of state to come, but it’s also for our students and we really want them to know that they can benefit from this lectureship.”

On Oct. 6, the Fully Engaged Lectureship will be different from previous Monday night lectureships.

“One of our newest faculty member, Doug Peters from the College of Biblical Studies is going to present a short message interspersed with five videos and a short break where New Reign will be singing,” Rowely said. “After Doug’s message there will be a question and answer session.”

There will be a panel where students and members of the audience can text their questions to Jim Baird, Ben Langford, Doug Peters and Charles Rix. Alan Martin will moderate the discussion. The questions will show on the screen and the panel will answer those questions.

On Oct. 7, the last day of the lectureship, classes will be held all day. On Tuesday night, instead of having a session in the Hardeman Auditorium like previous lectureships, the 64th Lectureship will conclude with a dinner honoring preachers, church leaders and their wives in the Gaylord University Center.

“I am excited to hear different perspectives on practical ministry and to get to hear people speak whom I haven’t heard before,” Ross said.