Bill Humble on The Archaeology of the Bible

Over the next few months, the San Jacinto Church of Christ will once again play host to Dr. Bill Humble. Now retired from Abilene Christian University, he has served for many decades as an influential teacher, writer, and speaker. And although he is now advanced in years, Humble hasn't slowed down a bit. His presentations are excellent. Last summer, he taught a series of lessons on "The World of Paul." After one of the sessions, I had my photo taken with him.

This time around he's speaking about "Archaeology and the Bible." Sessions are on Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 at San Jacinto, 823 Mississippi in Amarillo (corner of Line and Mississippi). Everyone is welcome to come. I'm encouraging my students to attend at least one session. I think that if they come to one, they'll want to return. Here's the schedule of dates and topics:

February 13   Abraham and Sarah
February 20   Mamre and Machpelah
February 27   The Hittites
March 6       Discovering David
March 13      Five Kings of Israel
March 20      Hezekiah and Sennacherib
March 27      Ancient Oil Lamps
April 3       A House in Capernaum
April 10      Jacob's Well
April 17      Excavating a King's Palace
April 24      Caiaphas, Pilate, and the Cross
May 1         Paul's Travels Around the Aegean Sea
May 8         Manuscripts of the Bible
May 15        Milestones in Biblical Archaeology

San Jacinto Church of Christ, 1945?

This old photograph was shared with me by one of the long-time members of my home congregation, the San Jacinto Church of Christ in Amarillo, Texas. I believe it was taken at a ladies' Bible class sometime in the 1940s. (Evidently, men were allowed to attend the ladies' Bible class).

The building in the photo, which stood at the corner of Line and Mississippi, is no longer there. It was replaced by a new structure in 1954.

It was thought by some of the people at church that the man standing in the aisle is a preacher by the last name of Oldham. If anyone can identify him or anyone else in the photo, I'd appreciate hearing from you. Just click on the photo to get a larger image.

Oh, Yes! V.B.S.

We just completed a Monday-through-Thursday Vacation Bible School at the San Jacinto Church of Christ in Amarillo, TX. Here are a few photos, courtesy of Fred Cox . . .

Pictured here with their students, Lawanda Moore and Lynn Duncan are true Christians. They're typical of the teachers we have at San Jacinto: kind, thoughtful, Word-focused, organized, and effective.

The opening and closing assemblies included lots and lots of non-stop singing.


Getting to lead the songs at V.B.S. is pure joy.


Vacation Bible School has been a part of my life since before I can remember. I've mentioned this in my posts here and in my comments at other blogs: I think V.B.S. is one of the greatest church traditions ever. When it's done well, V.B.S. is a powerful time of teaching. It generates enthusiasm, promotes goodwill, creates lasting memories and, above all, leads to many Good-News moments.

We plan to extend our V.B.S. through at least the end of summer. All ages are welcome to join us each Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Those in the Amarillo area who are interested in being a part of "Camp Wednesday" can get more information by calling the church office at 372-4682.

Got a V.B.S. story to tell?

Marvin Morrell (1923-2008)

Marvin Morrell spoke up in class last Wednesday night. We were in John 15, where Jesus tells his disciples, I am the vine, you are the branches. Every branch, Jesus said, is expected to bear fruit.

We had turned to Galatians 5, which speaks of the fruit of the Spirit. Marvin noted a similar but shorter passage in Ephesians. That was Marvin: attentive and thoughtful, positive and giving. I remembered that about Marvin when, last Friday, we heard that he had suddenly died. What a shock. What a loss.

Marvin was a leader, one of my elders at the San Jacinto Church of Christ. He exuded love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. To say that he was a good man just doesn't cut it. He was a Christ-like man who had lived such a true life for so long that everyone who knew him had the same opinion of him. He will be missed.

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth.' "Yes,' says the Spirit, 'that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them'." --Revelation 14:13

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The following comes from the obituary that appears in today's (Monday) edition of the Amarillo Globe-News:

Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in San Jacinto Church of Christ with Glen Walton, Brett McCasland and Dale Dennis officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery by Schooler Funeral Home.

Marvin was born July 26, 1923, in Wellington, Kan. He lived in Amarillo for 48 years where he was employed by Santa Fe Railway as a right-of-way agent until his retirement in 1983. As a young man he served in the U.S. Navy as a yeoman second class during World War II.

On Feb. 19, 1947, he married Estalene Virginia Floyd. This marriage was blessed with three daughters.

Marvin was a devoted member and elder at San Jacinto Church of Christ and was very involved as a mentor to the prison ministry. He was an avid golfer and fisherman and loved woodworking projects that his children and grandchildren requested.

Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Linda Perkins and husband Charles of Abilene, Debra Risley and husband Ed of Cheyenne, Okla., and Patti Conner and husband Daryl of Lubbock; a sister, Dorothy Lauterbach of Wellington, Kan.; seven grandchildren and their spouses; and four great-grandsons.

The family suggests memorials be in lieu of flowers to Amarillo College Bible Chair, 2501 S. Jackon, Amarillo, TX 79109, or Key to the Kingdom, 4124 Business Park Drive, Amarillo, TX 79110.

Looking for a Preacher

The San Jacinto Church of Christ here in Amarillo, TX (my church family) is looking for its next preacher. The vacancy was created several weeks ago when Leonard Harper took over the prison ministry sponsored by congregations in this area. We wish Leonard well. But we also wish that he was still at San Jacinto.

In the meantime, Dale Dennis, a former missionary to Tanzania, has been preaching for us. Dale is a good man and a clear, organized communicator. We're fortunate to have him serving as our interim.

Anyway, our elders asked the deacons and me to serve as the preacher-search committee. We're the ones publishing the ads, reading the resumes, listening to the sermons, etc. I've never been on this side of this process before. It can be a lot of work. And it's an eye-opener. About the preacher-search-and-selection process, I have more questions than I could possibly write down. But here are three:

1. For those of you who've been where I am, what are some of your experiences, lessons learned, etc.?

2. What do you think are the best, most important questions a church should ask a preacher candidate?

3. On a related note, among Churches of Christ in the U.S., what would you say are the biggest differences between expectations for preachers today compared to thirty years ago?