Longtime minister, editor, Bible teacher recognized with special book marking his 70th birthday


Longtime minister, editor and Bible teacher Howard Norton received a standing ovation at the Harding University Lectureship on Sept. 25 after accepting a special book written in honor of his 70th birthday.

'A Handbook on Leadership: As Exemplified in the Life of Howard Norton' was published by Yeomen Press of Chickasha, Okla. It has a suggested retail price of $12.50.

In accepting the honor, Norton thanked his wife, Jane.

'I am so deeply grateful for Jane,' said Norton, the lectureship director and editor of the Arkansas Christian Herald newspaper. 'I could not have done anything without her, and we could not have done anything without the Lord.'

David Duncan, outreach minister at the Edmond, Okla., church, served as the editor of the book and presented it to Norton on the lectureship's opening night. Don Vinzant and Bob Young assisted on the editorial committee.

'The purpose of the book was to honor one of the brotherhood's best known personalities,' said Duncan, a former student of Norton's at Oklahoma Christian University. 'Howard has made a lasting impact as a minister, elder, missionary, Bible professor and journalist.

'The young people he has encouraged to enter full-time Christian service have, in turn, made an eternal impact in the lives of others,' said Duncan, who, like Norton, served as a missionary to Brazil for seven years. 'His role in the kingdom has been overwhelming.'

The book's first chapter contains a biography on Norton's life, then focuses on biblical leadership from the standpoint of the local church, university setting and missions.

The 15 chapters of the book were contributed by Bible professors, missionaries and Christian college presidents, including Everett Ferguson, Robert Oglesby Jr., Flavil Yeakley, Harold Shank, Royce Money, Ken Jones, Dan Coker and Prentice Meador.