Stanfield Lectures

BY MARILYN STEWART

Jim Shaddix, former NOBTS professor of preaching and dean of chapel, headlined this year’s V. L. Stanfield Preaching Lectures at NOBTS and Leavell College, April 5 and 7.

Shaddix said that preaching must be informed by the doctrine of the inspiration of scripture and challenged listeners to remember former NOBTS preaching professor V. L. Stanfield’s words when he taught, “Preaching is giving the Bible a voice.”

Drawing from Nehemiah 8, Shaddix pointed to the importance of seeing the sermon as the opportunity for God’s people to “encounter the living God … and hear His voice, hear Him speak in a way that transforms our lives,” Shaddix said.

Pastors must convey to their people their belief that scripture is inspired, Shaddix said, adding that a pastor that shows his congregation that he delights in God’s word can call his people to listen to God’s voice in scripture.

“People need to see us ‘caught up’ in the glory and grace of God and that we delight in the text,” Shaddix said. “It’s contagious. Exult in it. Our Lord is worth it.”

Some of Shaddix’s former students, now pastors, joined Shaddix on stage for panel discussions after the lectures for issues regarding pastoral leadership.

Panelists included: David Platt, Washington D.C.; Israel Cox, Mississippi; Bradley Rushing, Alabama; Landon Dowden, Georgia; D. J. Horton, South Carolina; Byron Townsend, Louisiana; Byron Brown, Louisiana, and Brian Upshaw, North Carolina. Bo Rice, dean of graduate studies and one of Shaddix’s former students, moderated the discussions.

In closing, the panelists thanked Shaddix for the impact he had made on their lives.

D. J. Horton turned to Shaddix and said, “You have been a source of wisdom for me when I’ve been

David Platt honored Shaddix and his wife Deborah for welcoming students into their hearts and home and expressed gratitude for Shaddix’s investment in his life as pastor, ministry colleague, and friend, particularly when, during his seminary days, Platt received word of his father’s unexpected death.

“How do I summarize the effect of Jim Shaddix on my life? He is a father to me,” Platt continued.

Acknowledging the line of men on stage that Shaddix had mentored through the years, Platt added, “And I am grateful for all eternity to be one of his many sons in ministry.”