South Florida Avenue Church of Christ:
Our Home Base
By Jackie M. Stearsman

For any institution or work to be successful, wisdom and dedication are required. In 1969 the Florida School of Preaching had its beginning as a work of the South Florida Avenue church of Christ. It started under the direction of the elders with B. C. Carr and G. K. Wallace directing the work. In time, the elders requested that the school be placed under a Board of Directors so that the elders might devote more of their time to overseeing the congregation. In 1972, the Florida School of Preaching Board of Directors was established.

Thankfully, the original elders and those who would fill their roles along with the congregation have remained faithful and dedicated supporters of the school. Kenny French as one of the elders serves on the Board as does Bob McAnally, the evangelist for the congregation. Paul Thornhill, now deceased, was a deacon of the congregation and he served on the Board until failing health caused him to resign in 2003. David Anderson, an elder of the congregation, was added to the Board this year.

The congregation provides classroom facilities for the school. The congregation has the school in the budget each year as well as covering the utilities and maintenance for the heating and air conditioning, plumbing, and anything else that needs attention with the facilities. This support is greatly appreciated. The school would suffer a tremendous hardship without the continued support of the South Florida Avenue congregation.

The congregation is blessed, as is the school, by having individuals in the congregation who have contributed greatly to the ongoing work of the school. In the office, there are those who are members and former members that diligently and sacrificially make contributions to the school. bettye Bolding, secretary, is a member of the South Florida Avenue congregation. Kathy Strickland, bookkeeper, is a former member of the congregation who is now a member of North Lakeland church of Christ. Dotty Gutzler, a former member of South Florida Avenue now with the Orange Street congregation, continues to assist in the office when needed. Bea Pratt, a member of South Florida Avenue, has served on a number of occasions as secretary and office staff. In like manner, Jeanette Crawford has served as secretary.

The Board has singled out members of the congregation for recognition because of their special contribution to the school. For example, this year Charles Paulin will be honored at the Booster Banquet. In the past not only has the Board honored the congregation in 1988, but also in 2006 Charlie and David Deal were honored as special boosters of the school. Ron (now deceased) and Judy Jones were honored at the Booster Banquet in 1990 for their special support to the school. The Thornhill family was honored in 2003. There are others who make continued sacrifice for the well being of the school, and a casual reading of this publication will indicate how deep the individual and congregational support is for the school.

Each year when the lectureship book is prepared, individuals from the congregation are of untold value to Brian in editing the material before publication. Sisters Rene Bingle, Jeanette Crawford, Evelyn McAnally, Betty Jean Thornhill, and brother Bill Carroll (a former member who has since moved) have at one time or another served as proof readers. Brian took over the task of editing the book beginning with the 2000 edition when Bob McAnally asked to be relieved of this duty. Because they love the school and are dedicated to helping in every manner possible, these and others like them are unsung heroes to the continuation of the school.

Each year during the lectureship those attending are treated to morning coffee and refreshments, and since the 2003 lectureship lunch has been provided. Other congregations join South Florida Avenue in providing these refreshments and meals. From Lakeland, the Sixth Street and North Lakeland congregations participate; from Plant City, the Spring Head and Laura Street congregations participate; and from Auburndale, the Orange Street congregation participates. However, it is from South Florida Avenue that someone must coordinate the effort. For many years, Mary Holton (now deceased) did this. Others who have taken up the coordinating duties from South Florida Avenue are Bea Pratt and Dottie Fife. These were assisted by members of South Florida Avenue and members of the supporting congregations to make the lectureship an enjoyable occasion and to enable guests to have more time to visit and fellowship, without having to search for restaurants and fight the traffic during the morning and afternoon breaks.

I know that there are countless others in the congregation who have made contribution to the success of the school. In working with the sound system, Myron and Michael Thrower have been of great value. Tim Croson has also been key to the success of the school, both at lectureship time and in daily operations. He probably knows the building better than anyone. If a problem occurs he is able to correct it, even if he has to temporarily improvise. Others have also assisted in so many ways that I am unable to recall at the present. Forgive me for any oversight, and rest assured that your support and assistance has always been appreciated.

Over the years with my association with the congregation and school, I have always known and felt welcome to take my concerns directly to the elders of South Florida Avenue. I have never had anything but respect for their judgments and know that they would do what they could to help me in any way possible in promoting and directing the school. I have labored to avoid adding to their burden either with personal problems or with issues related to the school.

In a special way, I owe the congregation a debt of gratitude for encouraging me as I struggled to rear and educate my two sons. I know the satisfying pride South Florida Avenue manifested in seeing them grow to maturity. When they traveled to Ghana, West Africa, with Ted Wheeler preaching and teaching the gospel, your love went with them. You have both individually and congregationally assisted them financially when they have made these mission trips. David was baptized at South Florida Avenue, and Daniel and Katrina were married at the church building. Your love for them has always been uplifting to us.

The Board has selected Brian Kenyon to be the next director of the school. I know that he can expect the same untiring, faithful, dedicated service from the South Florida leadership and congregation. After all, the South Florida Avenue church of Christ is the home base for the Florida School of Preaching. The history of the Florida School of Preaching cannot be properly told without the long-standing support of the South Florida Avenue congregation.

The Thessalonian Church's Example
by Brian Kenyon

Paul wrote to “the church of the Thessalonians,” in part, to encourage them. Paul, however, was also encouraged by them as he recalled their exemplary character. Let us learn from this church what makes a congregation a good example.

First, they “became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost” (1 Thes. 1:6). A “follower” here is one who looks to another, in this case Paul and his coworkers, as a role model (cf. 1 Cor. 11:1). Note that they still followed Christ despite persecution. Suffering affliction does not rule out joy when we follow the Lord (Rom. 8:18 cf. Heb. 12:1-3)!

Second, they “were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia” (1 Thes. 1:7). The word “ensample [example, NKJ]” (from tupos, τύπος) means that they were a pattern for others to follow (same word in Phil. 3:17; 1 Tim. 4:12). The Thessalonian church is the only congregation explicitly said to be a pattern for others. The extent of their example reached not only in “Macedonia,” the region of their location, but also beyond their own region into “Achaia.”

Third, from them “sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad” (1 Thes. 1:8). The Gospel that rang out from them was made even more effective because of the difference it made in their lives. The people knew that the Thessalonians “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thes. 1:9).

Does the Lord’s church of which we are members follow the Lord as did Paul? Is it a Biblical pattern? Does it sound forth the Gospel? The only way for a congregation to do these things is for its members to them. Do we?

As We Enter Our 40th School Year ...

We appreciate all those who make our work possible. Since 1969 we have taught and practiced the same doctrine of Christ. Those who love the Gospel recognize the need to train preachers (Rom. 10:13-17). There are many good works in our great brotherhood, but essential to all of them is the need for workers to be grounded in the Scriptures (Col. 3:17). We are grateful to you, our financial supporters, for your monetary sacrifices that help keep the Lord’s work through us going. With the rising costs of operation and student needs, we continue to need financial support. Perhaps there are individuals reading this who have been blessed financially and are looking for a good work to support in addition to their first day of the week contributions. We would like you to consider the Florida School of Preaching. Only eternity can measure the return on your dollar! Come see the school for yourself, or give us a call, and we’ll be glad to visit you!