Endowed Lectureships
NTS is grateful to donors who provide funding for the following lectureships:
- Hugh C. Benner Lectures on Pastoral Ministry: Hugh C. Benner served as the founding president of Nazarene Theological Seminary from 1945 to 1952. Inaugurated in 1991, the Hugh C. Benner Lectureship on Pastoral Ministry was established in his name by the Benner family with assistance of faculty, friends, and students. The purpose of the Benner lectureship is to encourage the development of the highest level of parish ministry by introducing the NTS community to recognized leaders in the field.
- Darden McGraw Lectures on Parish Ministry: The Darden McGraw Lectures were merged and established to encourage the appropriate integration of the theological foundation of ministry with the competent practices of pastoral leadership in the parish. The lecture series honors Walter J. and Fronia Darden, and Dr. W. D. McGraw, Sr. Darden Lecturers usually are experienced ministers who model this integration as pastors, scholars, teachers, and authors.
- Earle Lectures on Biblical Literature: Through this series, outstanding biblical scholars are brought to NTS to stimulate further research and study in Biblical Literature. This endowed lecture series is named in honor of the late Dr. Ralph Earle, Distinguished Professor Emeritus.
- Gilbert Lectures in Christian Psychiatry: This series was originally sponsored by the late Dr. Howard Hamlin, a Nazarene surgeon in Kansas City. Since 1966, it has been sponsored by Dr. L. N. Gilbert, a medical doctor in Bethany, OK. The series was established to show students the value of scientific techniques in the field of counseling and to point out the effectiveness of Christian therapy.
- Grider-Winget Lectures in Theology: Originally funded by Mabel Frandsen Winget, the Grider-Winget Lectures in Theology, named in honor of Dr. J. Kenneth Grider and Dr. Wilfred Winget, bring outstanding guest theologians to NTS who represent the theological heritage and mission of the Seminary.
- Miriam J. Hall Lectures in Children's Ministries: This lectureship is intended to engage visiting scholars and practitioners to promote significant children's ministry within congregations, encourage pastoral involvement in children's ministries, and resource persons with a call to full-time children's ministry. The series is named in honor of Dr. Miriam J. Hall, the first Director of Children's Ministries for the Church of the Nazarene.
- Harlan Heinmiller Lectures on the Devotional Life: This endowed lectureship was established in 1955 by Mr. Harlan Heinmiller, a Nazarene layman who served on the commission that recommended that the Church of the Nazarene start a theological seminary. The purpose of these lectures is to provide experienced guidance in cultivating spiritual practices and graces that contribute to the maturing and enriching of Christian character.
- Joy and Mary Latham Lectures for the Church's Ministry in Early Childhood: This memorial fund provides special emphasis upon the church's ministry related to early childhood. It is designed to help clergy and other Christian workers understand the importance of the first few years in relation to the later life of the individual, to discover how foundation of faith are laid in these years, and to plan ways to enlist and equip local church laity for ministry to and with young children.
- Mercer Lectures on the Doctrine of Holiness: This series of endowed lectures began in 1951 and is sponsored by the Mercer family in honor of their mother, Laura Elizabeth Dewald Mercer. Leaders of the Holiness Movement in various denominations are brought to NTS to discuss formally some aspects of the doctrine of holiness and to share any truth related to this area of Christian thought.
- Paul R. Orjala Lectures in Missions: Paul Orjala was a missiologist, linguist, musician, and pioneer missionary for the Church of the Nazarene. He mentored hundreds of students during his tenure of service as Professor of Missiology at Nazarene Theological Seminary from 1964 to 1986. The Paul R. Orjala Lectureship in Missions was initiated by one of those students, Dr. William Selvidge, who currently holds the position of Professor of Intercultural Studies at NTS. The lectureship was fully funded by friends and family of Paul Orjala in 2008.
- Tom Nees Lectures in Social Justice: Tom Nees is widely recognized as the one who led the way in renewing the Church of the Nazarene's understanding of its call to minister to and among those in need through the development of the Community of Hope in Washington D.C. Dr. Nees later served as Director of Mission Strategy for the Church of the Nazarene in the United States and Canada and as adjunct faculty for NTS, teaching urban ministry courses. The Nees lectureship was made possible by NTS alumnus, Jim Copple, in 2008.
- Rice Lectures on Religious Education: This endowed lectureship, established in 1968, was funded by the interest from a gift to the denomination's Church Extension Loan Fund, made by the late L. R. Rice, a longtime lay worker in religious education. The lectureship fund was augmented in 1987 by a gift from his son and daughter-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth S. Rice. Dr. Rice is the retired director of Adult Ministries for the Church of the Nazarene. This lectureship is designed to bring a specialized insight into the value of religious education in the local church program.
- Watkins Lectures on Chruch Music: This lecture series, established in 1968, is funded by Dr. and Mrs. Lowell D. Whitsett in memory of Rev. and Mrs. A. C. Watkins, the parents of Mrs. Whitsett. The significant role of music in the worship program of the local chruch is highlighted in this lecture series.
- Leonard Whipple and M. A. "Budd" Lunn Lectures in Personal Evangelism: Personal evangelism training served as a passion for Leonard Whipple, a layperson in the Church of the Nazarene. For many years Budd Lunn served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nazarene Publishing House and was very supportive of personal evangelism training. Both men felt so strongly that they began a fund at NTS to support an Evangelism training program. Unfortunately, Budd Lunn passed away around this time. Memorial funds from friends and family as well as donation from Leonard Whipple established the fund.