NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BNc)- The wife of Lipscomb University President Randy Lowry will teach a “combined Bible study” at a quadriannual convention which promotes unity among the Disciples of Christ (Christian Church), the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ and the churches of Christ.
Rhonda Lowry will teach the Bible study at the next World Convention to be held July-August in Nashville, Tenn., headquarters for the ecumenical ministry.
The World Convention‘s publication, World Christian, included this biography and photo of Lowry:
Rhonda LOWRY currently serves as an adjunct Professor of Spiritual Formation at the David Lipscomb University Institute of Leadership – Nashville, Tennessee. Rhonda is married to Randy Lowry President of David Lipscomb University. Rhonda completed her M.Div. at Fuller Theological Seminary. She has become a widely sought-after speaker and has taught at Fuller and Pepperdine Universities. Many years affiliation with different universities, plus years of motherhood, informal personal minister, and fund-raiser uniquely prepared Rhonda for her work at Lipscomb University.
Other speakers include Dr. Cynthia Hale, founding Pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Ga., Mike Cope, Preaching Minister of the Highland Church of Christ, Abilene, Tex., Bob Russell, Pastor of Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Ky., and Dr C. Robert Wetzel, President of Emmanuel School of Religion, Johnson City, Tenn.
The conventions are held every four years in a different part of the world. The first convention was held in 1930 in Washington, D.C.
The organization sees itself as part of the “wider church,” in the denominational world. Its website states that “The church universal is like a global jigsaw with its denominations, divisions and regional groupings, and the many parachurch organisations. World Convention helps relate the tradition of the ‘Christian’ family to the wider church, and the activities of the wider church to our family.”
According to the website, “The assemblies focus on meaningful worship (including outstanding preaching and inspirational music), learning (with study of significant themes), contemporary evangelism (Bader Lectures) and global fellowship. … World Convention is the ‘flagship’ of the churches with their origin in the 19th Century Restoration Movement.”
The Lipscomb University Director of Communication & Creative Services Kimberly Chaudoin had no information about the event or Lowry’s participation in the convention.
Abilene Christian University is one of the official sponsors of this year’s World Convention.
2008-05-21 at 1:47 pm
Randal,
Thanks for the information. It is a shame how far some are willing to go to “cry peace, peace, when there is no peace.” It takes a covenant to have peace and far too many are willing to forgo the requirements of that covenant while asking for the benefits.
The lack of biblical education among “our” so-called “Christian” Universities is one of the items to be listed for future generations, when they ask, “What happen to the Lord’s church during the 20th and 21st Century?”
Rick
2008-05-26 at 10:06 am
Brethren:
This article without comment confuses me as to your editorial aims and convictions. I could understand your printing it with some sort of disclaimer. However, to publish the raw news story, minus any disclaimers concerning the stated purpose of the “World Convention” and of Lowry’s (not to mention Cope’s) participation, hardly serves the cause of Truth. In fact, the article standing alone appears to give credence to denominationalism, which directly contradicts point number 5 of your “Convictions” statement. We already have one “Christian Chronicle,” willing to report–with tacit, implied endorsement–all things liberal, yea even ultra-liberal, on the part of those who conceive of the church as merely one of the plethora of denominations. We don’t need another news source for such apostates. Dub
2008-05-26 at 5:00 pm
Dub,
Thanks for your comment. The article is raw and straightforward as you pointed out. Perhaps, indeed, a disclaimer was needed.
However, it seems you have done enough research to realize our purpose in printing the article, so frankly, brother, your comments are rather disappointing to us. Comparing our godly work to another publication whose editorial stance we repudiate is out of line.
The persecution we get from the liberals is bad enough; we do not need someone else turning on us and chastising us in such a public manner. We are brethrern and as such, our disputes should not be aired in public.
Joe May,
Associate Editor
2008-05-26 at 5:31 pm
If I may comment, I wish to support BNc on this. As I read this article, I did not detect anything that would remind me of the other publication that has been mentioned. Place this article side-by-side with any articles from “that” publication and you could see a huge difference.
The purpose for this article it seems is to inform, not to sway opinion except through the facts. The facts are disturbing and stand on their own. I know of the gentlemen that have undertaken this project here and know them to be lovers of the truth.
Lee Parish