Dale L. Spung

The Florida School of Preaching is indebted to a number of faithful preachers, elders and congregations for their years of supporting our efforts. As Jesus states, “And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all” (Mark 10:44, KJV).

In a society that is saturated with demanding others serve “us,” “my wants,” it is not always easy to find those who will spend time and energy, without compensation, to promote a cause. Such individuals are distinct, and these include those who serve the Florida School of Preaching as Board members.

Brother Dale Spung has served churches in the central Florida area for a number of years both as a gospel preacher and an elder of the church. He began serving on the Board in 1985 and served until June 2003. He asked to be relieved of these duties.

Dale attended the school taking Greek under Noel Merideth and James Huggins and Logic under Terry Hightower. He has spoken on three Lectureships. He is in his 51st year as a Gospel preacher having begun preaching the first Sunday of March in 1954.

Before Dale or I was connected with the school, we developed a close friendship in the faith. At that time, Dale was preaching for the North Florida Avenue church of Christ in Tampa, and I was preaching in Clearwater.

Dale provides this history of the Hickory Street church of Christ in Arcadia:

The congregation began in 1945 with 3 or 4 members. They met in homes, court house, under a tent and other places before the present building was erected in 1951.

Dale began working with the congregation on June 17, 1990. At that time they were helping support John Grubb in Taiwan and when he returned to the States, through the influence of Dale, who was a member of the Board of Directors, the congregation agreed to help support the School financially and continue to do so every month. They have a close relationship with the school.

The congregation has 30 or more members in the summer and the number will likely double in the winter months . A number of the students and faculty have spoken for them and some of the faculty have held meetings there. They do evangelistic work and have an ad in the newspaper. Hickory Street is a small congregation with a big heart.

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Recommended Reading: “Do You Understand the Grace of God?”
By
Gary W. Summers
[This article was unsolicited, and used by permission Editor.]

There could scarcely be a more relevant topic in today’s misguided religious world—not that there is anything wrong or suspect about God’s grace. It is marvelous beyond measure, but some have assigned to it unscriptural definitions—thus, the need for this 2004 Florida School of Preaching lectureship book.

Among the important topics are: “How Are We Saved By Grace?” “Excluded From Grace,” “What Does Grace Teach?” “For What Is Grace Sufficient?” “Unbiblical Concepts of Grace That I Am Hearing/Reading,” “Grace And The Nature Of God,” “Grace And Human Nature,” “Do You Understand Grace And Law?” “Do You Understand Grace And Faith?” “Do You Understand Grace And Works?” “Receiving The Grace Of God In Vain,” and “Does Grace Overlook Sin?”

All of these messages will help clarify our thinking with relation to the many erroneous views that are currently being promulgated. Some of the chapters deal directly with Calvinism: “Is Grace Irresistible?” “Is Grace For The Elect Only?” and “Is Baptism A Sign Of Inward Grace?” Terry Hightower includes a great deal of humor in his “Grace Centered Magazine: A Critique.” Concerning one of that magazine’s writers and certain claims that he makes, Hightower quips on page 169:

After rehearsing examples in Acts of such direct inspiration, he proceeds to tell us about his own (alleged) direct operation, involving his own strong “inner prompting” and irresistible impulse while serving as a hospice chaplain on a visit to a dying patient. I immediately printed this off and taped it in my Bible as Acts 31:1-15, right after my additions from Pat Boone (29:1-25) and Don Finto (30:1-10)!

Also reviewed is the popular denominational book, Putting Amazing Back In Grace, by Michael Horton. The two quotes below highlight the shortcomings of this false theology.

But all of these men err grievously when they say that our obedience has nothing to do with our salvation. It has nothing to do with the origin of our redemption—or with the cost of redemption; it has everything to do, however, with whether or not we shall be saved (202).

Second, this passage shows God’s eagerness to offer His grace to Israel only to see them resist it. If God’s offer of grace is irresistible, then why did God destroy Israel (441)?

Other chapters relate grace as seen in the lives of Noah, Jonah, the older brother, the Ephesians, the Hebrew Christians, Peter, and in the conversion of Saul. The Appendix includes some excellent material by the late Hugo McCord and a collection of periodical articles by Jackie Stearsman and Ted Wheeler.

This nearly 600-page volume closes with a word/subject index and an author index. The reader will probably be impressed with how easy it is to understand the issues at stake in this book. The material is well-researched, yet it is presented in a simple style, and it easily digested by those who already possess a keen spiritual appetite.

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Gene Burgett Report
Public Relations Director

It seems like the entire state of Florida has been one massive hurricane relief effort for the past couple of months. Every part of the state has felt the effects of hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Ivan.

As I write Ivan is about to make landfall, and Jeanne is gathering strength in the Carribean. Some have been without power for a month. As I travel our interstate highways, I see caravans of trucks from out of state power companies and tree removal services moving south to help restore electricity and remove debris.

Though our coastal communities bear the full intensity of these storms, the damage has been extensive inland as well. Being a native Floridian, I have seen a hurricane or two but I have never seen anything like what we have experienced this hurricane season, and hurricane season doesn’t even end until November!

How bad has it been? I can answer that with one statement: Even Disney World has been forced to shutdown!

Though the storms have hampered efforts to visit with churches in Florida, I was blessed with opportunities to call on several congregations in Alabama and Tennessee over the summer.

Over the past two years I have worshiped with the church in Double Springs, Alabama several times while visiting my parents. The Double Springs church is deeply involved in mission work and their preacher, Vance Hutton, is highly respected in the community.

I also visited with the Bethel church of Christ in Athens, Alabama. Their preacher, Jimmy Clarke, has been a mainstay on the Florida School of Preaching Lectureship for many years. He is a first rate scholar with a wonderful gift for presenting the word in simplicity. The Bethel church is also very mission-minded.

Finally, I met with brother Don Hudson where he worships in Cornersville, Tennessee. Though retired, Don spoke that Sunday. Don has been a good friend of the Florida School of Preaching and has recommended us to several men contemplating entering the field of preaching.

I hope mission-minded congregations will consider supporting the Florida School of Preaching. After all, finding a preacher to send is often where mission work begins, for “how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).

I would be happy to talk with any congregations about our work. Please contact me.

Gene Burgett
352-339-3195
burgett@atlantic.net