Howard Payne University will host the inaugural Dr. James Shields Speaker Series in spiritual formation on October 21 and 22. This series, named for the former outstanding professor of Christian Studies, Dr. James Shields, will be centered on the theme of spiritual formation. The lectures will be held on Tuesday, October 21, at 7 p.m. in the Richard and Wanda Jackson Conference Room of the Paul and Jane Meyer Faith and Life Leadership Center, and Wednesday, October 22, at 10 a.m. during HPU’s chapel service in Mims Auditorium.
Dr. Loyd Allen, professor of church history and spiritual formation at Mercer University, will be the first guest lecturer for the series. Dr. Allen is the Sylvan Hills Baptist Church Chair of Baptist Heritage and professor of church history and spiritual formation at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology. Dr. Allen teaches in the areas of church history, Baptist heritage and spirituality. He has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Montevallo in Alabama and a Master of Divinity and Ph.D. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
“It is a privilege to welcome Dr. Allen to HPU as the inaugural lecturer in this distinguished speaker series,” said Dr. Cory Hines, university president. “Dr. Allen brings a wealth of knowledge and insight on spiritual formation which will be a blessing to all who attend. We are also thrilled to be able to honor to legacy of Dr. James Shields, a beloved faculty member in the School of Christian Studies, through this series.”
Dr. Allen is the author of several published journal articles on Baptist heritage including “How Baptists Assessed Hitler” in “Christian Century” and “‘Exquisite Powers’: Ann Baker Graves and Corinthia Read Williams, Obedient Revolutionaries,” in “Baptist History and Heritage.” He is currently working on a brief history of Christian spirituality and a comparison of spiritual formation in various religious traditions.
The Dr. James Shields Speaker Series will be an annual event, each fall, to introduce the students, faculty and staff to an outstanding speaker highly regarded throughout the United States. Each speaker will reflect the same manner and spirit of Dr. John Claypool, an influential preacher and theologian. Each fall series will have a unique theme, and will include a chapel service, a luncheon for faculty and staff, as well as an opportunity for community leaders to participate.
The Dr. James Shields Speaker Series is made possible through the generosity of Mr. Bob Carter ’73.
Admission is free but reservations are requested. For reservations or more information, contact HPU’s School of Christian Studies by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 325-649-8403.