Ken R. Durham Papers, 1998 - 2018

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Summary

Abstract:
Ken R. Durham served as preaching minister for the University Church of Christ on the campus of Pepperdine University in Malibu, California from 1998 to 2009. His papers contain speaking notes and bulletin articles which document the life of the church, his activities during the time he was associated with the church, and his involvment as a popular speaker in the wider Pepperdine University community.
Extent:
0.0027 Gigabytes
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], Ken R. Durham Papers, Collection no. 0226, Churches of Christ Heritage Collection, Boone Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.

Background

Scope and content:

Ken R. Durham served as preaching minister for the University Church of Christ on the campus of Pepperdine University in Malibu, California from 1998 to 2009. His papers comprise .0027 Gigabytes of files containing speaking notes and bulletin articles which document the life of the church, his activities during the time he was associated with the church, and his involvment as a popular speaker in the wider Pepperdine University community.

Biographical / historical:

KEN R. DURHAM (Kenneth Ray Durham, Jr.) was born March 21, 1948 and currently lives in Bellingham, Washington. He is married to Nancy Magnusson Durham. They share three children and six grandchildren. Ken retired in 2020 from the College of Bible and Ministry at Lipscomb University, where he held the Batsell Barrett Baxter Chair of Preaching.

Durham served as Preaching Minister for University Church of Christ, Malibu, CA (1998-2009), Preaching Minister for Church of Christ in Falls Church, VA (1991-97), Preaching Minister for South National Church of Christ in Springfield, MO (1988-91), Preaching Minister for Stamford Church of Christ in Stamford, CT (1981-88), Campus Minister at University of Kentucky for Southside Church of Christ in Lexington, KY (1978-80), and Campus Minister at University of Texas for University Avenue Church of Christ in Austin, TX (1974-78).

Durham earned a Ph.D. in Communication Theory and Research from Louisiana State University (1974). His dissertation is titled "An Experimental Study of the Effects of Religiosity, Social Attitudes, and Self-Esteem on the Reception of Homiletical Fear Appeals". He completed post-doctoral graduate work in religious studies at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and Abilene Christian University. Durham earned an M.A. in Communication Theory and Research from Louisiana State University (1972) and a B.A. in Speech/Education from David Lipscomb College (1970).

He has written or co-written four books, including:Speaking from the Heart: Richer Relationships Through Communication (1986).Jesus, Our Mentor and Model, with Harold Hazelip (1987).Becoming Persons of Integrity, with Harold Hazelip (1988).Anchors for the Asking, with Harold Hazelip (1989).

For over 20 years he authored the "Good Humor" column in 21st Century Christian. He served as co-host of the "Herald of Truth" television program from 1987-1990.

During his time as the Batsell Barrett Baxter Chair of Preaching in the College of Bible and Ministry at Hazelip School of Theology, Lipscomb University (2010 - 2022), he taught the following courses: The Story of Jesus; The Story of the Church; Expository Preaching; Introduction to Ministry; The World, Witness and Worship of C.S. Lewis; Creativity: Work, Wonder and Worship; Introduction to Preaching; and Theology of Ministry.

Durham served as visiting faculty at Seaver College, Pepperdine University (1988 and 1997-1998). During his time as a member of the adjunct faculty for Religion and Communication at Seaver College, Pepperdine University (1998-2009), he taught the following courses: Ministry and Theology of Preaching; History and Religion of Early Christianity; Public Speaking and Rhetorical Analysis; Religion and Culture (Cultures in Conflict: The Abrahamic Faiths).

He served as adjunct faculty teaching Homiletics for Harding University Graduate School of Religion (1991-1997). He also served as an instructor at Institute for Christian Studies (1977-1978).

Durham wrote articles for many academic and religious journals and spoke for numerous Bible lectureships at universities associated with Churches of Christ, retreats, seminars, and conferences in the US and around the world.

Acquisition information:
Ken Durham transferred digital files via hard drive to Special Collections by Lucy Perrin April 5, 2025.
Processing information:

The collection was arranged and described by Lucy Perrin, April 2025.

Arrangement:

The Ken R. Durham Papers are arranged in two series: 1. Pepperdine Speaking Notes; 2. UCC Bulletin Articles--"Some Good News--A Weekly Word from Ken".

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Advanced notice required for access.

Terms of access:

Copyright restrictions may apply.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], Ken R. Durham Papers, Collection no. 0226, Churches of Christ Heritage Collection, Boone Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.

Location of this collection:
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263-4786, US
Contact:
(310) 506-4323
specialcollections@pepperdine.edu
Website