Women in the Work: A spirit of collaboration

H.M.S. Richards Lectureship 2016

Hyveth Williams speaks during a graduate consecration service last year in the Howard Performing Arts Center. (Photo by Tanya Ebenezer)

The H.M.S. Richards Lectureship on Biblical Preaching has been running since 1957, when it was established in honor of Harold Marshall Sylvester Richards Sr., evangelist, author, and well-known speaker for “Voice of Prophecy.” The lectureship has been sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Seminary at Andrews University for the past 22 years, and focuses on evangelism and biblical teaching.

Hyveth Williams, professor of Christian ministry and homiletics, explains, “This lectureship provides participants with cutting edge insights as well as practical ways in which these may be applied to the task of preaching and preparing a congregation for revival and growth spiritually and numerically.”

Williams is coordinator for this year’s lectureship, which will happen October 23-24, and is themed “Women in the Work: A Spirit of Collaboration.”

“Every year there are innovative additions to the discipline of preaching, such as the ever-increasing conversational style,” she says. Williams also states that a unique feature to this year’s lectureship is the “fact that we have all women presenters,” in direct contrast to last year’s all-male lineup. “They need to hear the stories of a diverse group of women,” adds Williams. “African-Americans, Caucasians, Latinas, Koreans; this reflects the diversity of the seminary. Cross-cultural activities can impact their preparations for ministry.”

The presenters are Tara VinCross, Lola R. Moore, Pranitha Fielder, Morgan Medlock, Junie Lee and Jessie A. López, five of whom are graduates from Andrews University.

“It’s a rich mix of women,” says Williams. “We’re going to talk about the challenges and opportunities in this process of collaboration in the ministry.”

The speakers will use testimonies and illustrations to contribute to the discourse on women’s role in church evangelism.

“The focus is not just on the workplace, but on women as an integral part of every aspect of ministry in the Adventist Church,” remarks Williams.

She adds that the General Conference’s document “A Study of Church Governance and Unity” will add an unanticipated dimension to the lectureship.

“We didn’t know the GC was going to put out this document,” Williams says. “We want to hear how they’ve been dealing with it, what have they learned, what can others emulate.”

More than ever, people need to be aware of the obstacles faced by women in the church, and what the church is able to do for women seeking to minister from the pulpit.

“I want everyone to see what we mean when we say we support women in ministry,” Williams says. “There is real benefit to the women we’re training to receive practical application of and education in the ministry to which they’ve been called.”

The lectureship will run from 1–5:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 23, and from 9 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. on Monday, October 24. Refreshments and lunch will be provided, and hotels and other accommodations are available for those who need them. The event is free to pastors and elders. More information can be found by contacting the Department of Christian Ministry at 269-471-6371 or sylvie@andrews.edu.

Related Links

• More about the Seminary
• Full document: "A Study of Church Governance and Unity"
• Who was H.M.S. Richards?