Lawton-area preachers at their Jan. 28 forum.
LAWTON, Okla. (BNc)- If preachers like to eat and talk, they especially like to do it with other preachers. So a group of Oklahoma ministers meet monthly to do just that, and more.
Dave Dugan, the preacher at Lawton’s 8th and Lee church, and Rick Popejoy, missionary serving under the Lindsay, Okla., church elders, initiated the Lawton Preachers Forum, as they styled it, in 2000.
Held at 8th and Lee church’s building and hosted by Dugan, between 13-20 preachers meet the last Monday of each month. In November and December one special meeting is held on the first Monday.
On Dec 3 the forum hosted an income tax program for preachers, as well as for elders and their wives.
The typical meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and donuts provided by the host. Two speakers address the preachers from 10:00-12:00. Lunch together is Dutch-treat.
The format seeks to keep preachers up to date.
“We have tried to work at continuing and broaden our knowledge, study and abilities to spread the gospel, with Bible lessons on certain topics or left to the presenters’ choice — the emphasis is on keeping it biblical. We have had reports from various works in the brotherhood and missionaries. If one of our group goes he gives us a report,” Dugan wrote to BNc. “We have had special classes on important books that help us in the work, as well as two special classes on planning a yearly preaching and teaching program. At every meeting there is a short period of sharing what’s going on in each congregation and area events.”
“In May or June, depending on the weather, we have our program in a local game refuge where we have several speakers, with lunch, that stretches from 10:00-3:00 p.m.,” he said.
At the Jan. 28 meeting, Ben Bailey and James Gravelle reported on their work with The Gospel of Christ television and media ministry.
“Also, Leonard Gray, of Tipton, Okla., spoke about his new book What Have You Heard About The Church of Christ? and mentioned that he had personally contacted Richland Hills church when they introduced the instrument into worship, since he had preached for the congregation many years ago that eventually became the Richland Hills congregation,” Dugan said.
Their next meeting on Feb. 25 will feature Bill Hearn speaking on Mormonism.
2008-02-03 at 12:46 am
I do not wish to sound picky, but I am actually a missionary to Oklahoma who serves under the elders in Lindsay, Oklahoma. Thanks for the note regarding our meeting in Lawton. By the way, all are invited (elders, deacons, preachers & concerned members).
2008-02-03 at 1:03 am
The story has been edited to reflect the change. Thanks.