Dave L. Bland Lecture and Preachers Conference
May 18-20, 2026
Sponsored by the College of Bible and Ministry and Harding School of Theology, this three-day event is designed to provide resources for preaching, especially materials to aid preachers in the exposition of God’s Word. The conference is intended to be a time of purposeful retreat for co-ministers in the gospel. It is our hope that all who attend will leave with significant, real progress toward the development of a preaching series as well as a renewed commitment to study and proclaim God’s Word.
This new three-day format allows for more offerings and presenters, as well as greater opportunities for networking and fellowship.
Although the conference is designed by preachers for preachers, all serious Bible students are welcome to attend, especially those who teach Bible classes or lead congregations.
Cerebration and Celebration in Preaching:
What God Has Joined Together
Monday, May 18, 2026
Dr. Robert Smith holds a doctorate from Southern Baptist University and is a distinguished professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He is the author of Doctrine that Dances: Bringing Doctrinal Preaching and Teaching to Life (B&H, 2008)
Preacher’s Toolbox and Seasons of Ministry
Department of Ministry Outreach, Pepperdine University, Malibu, California
Megan’s Secrets
Preaching Luke
Ph.D., Baylor University
Dean of Harding School of Theology, Professor of New Testament
Commentary on the Gospel of Luke
Preacher’s Toolbox
Preaching Minister
White Station Church of Christ
Memphis, Tennessee
Preaching Deuteronomy
Ph.D., Hebrew Union College
Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation
Asbury Theological Seminary
Wilmore, Kentucky
The Book of Deuteronomy Chapters 1–11
Preaching and Teaching for a Younger Generation
Youth Minister
Marsalis Ave. Church of Christ
Dallas, Texas
The Dave L. Bland Lecture in Homiletics is sponsored by Harding School of Theology. This annual address highlights the place of preaching both in the academy and in the church. The lecture is named in honor of Dr. Dave L. Bland, retired professor emeritus of preaching at Harding School of Theology. Dr. Bland taught Preaching at HST for 30 years. The impact of his work in the academy and the church is profound.
Dave L. Bland was born and raised on a farm in northern Colorado. He married his wife, Nancy Cochran Bland, in 1976. They have three sons and six grandchildren. Dave has preached in congregations across the country, including the Eastside Church of Christ in Portland, Oregon, and the White Station Church of Christ in Memphis, Tennessee. He first taught courses at Columbia Christian College in Portland for 14 years. In 1993, he moved to Memphis to begin work at Harding School of Theology as professor of preaching, where he taught for 30 years. Bland is the author of several books, including Proverbs and the Formation of Character (Cascade) and Creation, Character, and Wisdom: Rethinking the Roots of Environmental Ethics (Wipf & Stock). He is now a retired professor emeritus at HST and serves the White Station church as an elder. He lives on an 80-acre farm in Somerville, Tennessee.
Education
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Bible and speech from Harding, a Master of Divinity from Abilene Christian University, a Doctor of Ministry from Western Seminary, and doctorate in rhetoric from the University of Washington.
Honors
2010–2021: “Chrysostom Club,” Evangelical Homiletic Society
1991–2021: Life-time Achievement Award, Academy of Homiletics
2016–2017: Distinguished Teacher of the Year, Harding University
2010: Outstanding Alumnus Award, Harding University
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