195 After 100 years, Harding’s Lectureship is reimagined to inspire a new century of believers. As Harding University moved into its second century, the event traditionally known as “Lectureship” was rebranded to “Inspire” and promised to address the interests of returning alumni, current students and members of the community. Professor and Dean of the College of Bible and Ministry Monte Cox, who served as committee chair for the Inspire Lectureship team, spoke on the abundance of topics and ideas at Inspire. “Presenters from all over the world bring their expertise in all things ministry—missions, preaching, youth ministry, children’s ministry, mental health and much more,” Cox said. “If you are an elder, a deacon, a preaching minister, a youth minister or simply a member of a local church invested in the life of your congregation, then there is something here for you. We hope you will leave this year’s event inspired.” Co-Director of the Theological Studies program, Meagan Justus, who also served as co-director for Inspire, said that the rebranding was an attempt to update Lectureship to be current to modern issues and interests. “Our purpose for rebranding Inspire was to update it and bring it into the second century,” Justus said. “We really wanted to find topics that were interesting and relevant for students, so we’re offering courses on things like gender identity and the Middle East crisis and the historical, Biblical and political perspectives on that.” Justus said that the hundredth Lectureship program provided a turning point and an opportunity for change. “Lectureship has been largely the same for the last 100 years,” Justus said. “We thought this was a perfect time to update the name to be more current and also appeal to a different, additional demographic and to be really clear about what we were offering.” Dare To Inspire Justus considered the purpose of Inspire to be serving the church and to provide resources for those working in the church. She emphasized that Inspire classes were for all students, not just those taking them for credit. “The most important thing that I want students to know is they don’t have to take seminars for credit to come to Lectureship,” Justus said. “Lectureship is free for all students, and they can come to any session without registering or taking it for class.” The classes allowed students to teach as well as faculty. Senior D. Ray Brown spoke about God walking with Joseph through his trials in Egypt on Wednesday of the event. “Being asked to speak as a student speaker is such an honor,” Brown said. “Lectureship has always been one of my favorite events at Harding, so getting to be a small part of it this year is a great blessing.” Senior Ada Lawrence spoke on Monday about the unifying nature of God in contrast to the isolating nature of sin. “I have been so thankful for Lectureship for years as a rich celebration of our Lord, and as I am rejoicing in the ability to share the good news of our Lord in all my life, I am honored to be able to share in this academic setting,” Lawrence said. “Praise God for his goodness.” Written by Maggie Samples Inspire Lectureship INSPIRED TOGETHER Attending an inspire event, alumni Morris and Brenda Seawel listen to the keynote speaker. The keynote events took place in the George S. Benson Auditorium. Photo courtesy of Jeff Montgomery
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