Robert Lynn Anderson Papers, 1965-2019

Creators

Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives

Document Type

Finding Aid

Publication Date

9-25-2019

Inclusive Dates--Span

1965-2019

Inclusive Dates--Bulk

1965-2006

Scope and Content Note

The Robert Lynn Anderson Papers consists of papers, photographs, cassette tapes, and born-digital materials created or utilized by Lynn Anderson over the course of his career as a church planter, minister, lecturer, and mentor among Churches of Christ.

Biographical Note

Robert Lynn Anderson was born September 22, 1936 in Saskatchewan, Canada. After graduating from high school at Western Christian College (Weyburn, Saskatchewn) he attended Freed-Hardeman College (Henderson, Tennessee) and Harding College (Searcy, Arkansas) where he received the B.A. degree in 1959. He received the M.A. degree in 1965 from Harding Graduate School of Religion (Memphis, Tennessee). In 1990, Anderson was the first Doctor of Ministry graduate at Abilene Christian University.

Anderson’s ministry experience includes the establishment of a congregation in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, where he preached from 1960-1964. In 1964-1965 he preached in Lepanto, Arkansas, and then established a congregation in Kelowna, British Columbia, where he ministered for six years. From 1971-1989 he preached at Highland Church of Christ, Abilene, Texas. From 1991-1996 he preached at Preston Road Church of Christ, Dallas, Texas. Following these congregational ministries, he devoted full-time to leadership development and coaching through Hope Network Ministries. He conducted a radio ministry consisting of brief 60-second spots heard twice daily in Kelowna and three times per day in Abilene.

He was active in community life, serving in leadership and board positions in Kiwanis Club, Community Chest, United Appeals, Action for Education Association, and the Committee for Better Education Now. As an adjunct professor, he taught cross cultural communication, Bible, and ministry courses at Abilene Christian University.

[This sketch is adapted from the biographical note on the dust jacket of Lynn Anderson, Steps to Life, 20th Century Sermons Series Volume 10. Abilene: Biblical Research Press, 1977.]

Donor Note

Robert Lynn Anderson

Arrangement

The Robert Lynn Anderson Papers were received in good order which was preserved throughout the course of processing. The materials evince an orderly arrangement created to facilitate storage and retrieval of material rooted in Anderson’s preaching across the Biblical text and in certain topics which reflect sustained series of sermons or teaching notes. Based on this received original order, the processor decided to retain original order, improve the arrangement by rehoming a few misfiled folders, and describe all materials to the folder level. Unless otherwise noted, each entry in the inventory below corresponds to a discrete folder.

In a few cases where materials were received loose and unfoldered in their respective boxes, the processor foldered the items as-is, labelled with brief description in [square brackets], and retained them in their original physical location. In only a few cases were foldered materials refoldered; the original folders were received in good condition and clearly labelled. The processor cleaned and dusted some items in the course of arrangement and description. In cases where there were multiple folders on the same topic, for the sake of clarity the processor indicated quantity and extent by using (1 of 2, 2 of 2, etc.) in parentheses.

The processor imposed a series structure as a means to differentiate between sections of materials within the file set. Box 1 contains the Finding Aid, photographic materials, a select group of Anderson’s favorite sermons and history of the Canadian congregations which formed the Anderson family.

Series I, Sermons and Research Material (boxes 2-16) consists of folders Anderson generated in the course of preaching and teaching through the Biblical text. The processor preserved the original order which closely mirrors the Biblical canon. In many cases the folders contain sermon notes, manuscripts or outlines.

Series II, Topical Files (boxes 17-34) consists of topical files Anderson generated in the course of teaching, preaching, and speaking. Included in this series are the scripts from and correspondence about Anderson’s radio ministry.

Series III, Ministry Files (boxes 35-39) contains files of historic memorabilia, keepsakes, and correspondence from Anderson’s tenures at Highland Church of Christ, Preston Road Church of Christ, and Hope Network Ministries. Of particular note are the notes of appreciation and encouragement Anderson received over the course of his ministry. He kept these in folders labelled ‘Bad Day File.’

Series IV, Writings (boxes 40-42) contains articles Anderson wrote as well as drafts and correspondence about Anderson’s books.

Series V, Cassette Tapes (boxes 43-58) contains recordings of Anderson’s preaching at Highland Church of Christ and Preston Road Church of Christ. In many cases these recordings correspond to foldered materials in Series I and II.

Series VI consists of digital files Anderson created in the course of his writing and speaking. Contact Special Collections and Archives for access to these files.

Subjects

Anderson, Robert Lynn
Churches of Christ
Stone-Campbell Movement
Restoration Movement
Highland Church of Christ (Abilene, Tex.) -- History
Preston
Road Church of Christ (Dallas, Tex.) --
History Abilene (Tex.) -- Church history
Dallas (Tex.) -- Church history
Texas -- Church history
Sermons
Correspondence Radio in religion

Language

English

Extent of Collection

34.5 linear feet (58 boxes) of paper-based files and cassette tapes, and over 1000 digital files including 175 audio and video files.

Manuscript Number

Center for Restoration Studies Manuscripts #488

Physical Location

Center for Restoration Studies

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], [file or folder name], Robert Lynn Anderson Papers, 1965-2019. Center for Restoration Studies MS #488. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

Processing Status

Processing

Finding Aid created by

Mac Ice, Amanda Dietz

Description

Finding aid for the Robert Lynn Anderson Papers, (1965-2019).

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.