ABILENE, Tex. (BNC) by Greg Tidwell — Jimmy Jividen died on Oct. 2, 2014. A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., on Sat., Oct. 4, at the Oldham Lane congregation.
Born Nov. 26, 1929 in Woodward County, Okla., Jimmy obeyed the gospel as at the County Line church of Christ in Woodward. Attending Abilene Christian College, Jimmy graduated in 1951. That same year he married Shirley Jones.
For 60 years, Jimmy and Shirley served congregations in Texas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Colorado, Nebraska, and California. While contributing to the brotherhood in many ways, Jimmy was always devoted to the work of congregations where he preached.
Receiving a master’s degree in New Testament in 1958 from Abilene Christian, Jimmy accepted a teaching position at York College in Nebraska for a couple of years. Jimmy did doctoral work in Philosophy at the University of Southern California from 1960-1964.
Jimmy served on the board of the Restoration Quarterly and the ACU Alumni Association, and was president of both boards. He authored 10 books widely used among churches of Christ and published articles in many brotherhood journals.
Jimmy held seminars and gospel meetings throughout the United States and in many other countries. He continued his service to the Lord’s church even while struggling with the effects of Parkinson’s.
Jimmy is survived by his wife Shirley, their three children, many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
His legacy is, perhaps, best summed up in a motto he coined and often used to encourage others: “Biblical in Doctrine; Conservative in Practice; Liberal in Love.”
Greg Tidwell is editor of Gospel Advocate magazine. Read this recollection that one woman had of Jimmy.
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