Ira North
| Ira North | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Ira Lutts North August 31, 1922 Ethridge, Tennessee |
| Died | January 15, 1984 (aged 61) Nashville, Tennessee |
| Nationality | United States |
| Education |
Abilene Christian College (B.A.) University of Illinois (M.A.) Louisiana State University (PhD) |
| Occupation | Preacher |
| Years active | 1939–1982 |
| Known for | Ministry at Madison Church of Christ |
| Notable work |
Amazing Grace Bible Class Balance - A Tried And Tested Formula For Church Growth |
| Spouse(s) | Avon Stephens North |
Ira Lutts North (August 31, 1922 Ethridge, Tennessee – January 15, 1984 Nashville, Tennessee) was a preacher and author within the Churches of Christ.
North's family operated the North Funeral Home in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee in addition to the family farm in Etheridge, so that he grew up in somewhat more affluent circumstances that most Middle Tennesseans of the Great Depression era.
North received his education at David Lipscomb College (now Lipscomb University, Abilene Christian College (now Abilene Christian University (B.A.), University of Illinois (M.A.), and Louisiana State University (Ph.D.).
At the age of 17 North began a 43-year preaching ministry that ranged from Illinois and Louisiana to Tennessee. His longest ministry service was for Madison Church of Christ in Madison, Tennessee (suburban Nashville). He began preaching for the Madison church in 1953 and continued there for over 30 years. During the latter part of his tenure, he also served as editor of the Gospel Advocate, the longest-running and most-influential periodical in the Churches of Christ, having been originally established prior to the American Civil War and edited for a long time afterwards by David Lipscomb. During his time as its primary minister, the Madison church grew to one of the largest Churches of Christ worldwide. In failing health due to cancer, he retired to his farm in the Neely's Bend section of Madison shortly before his death.
North wrote several books, most notably Balance - A Tried And Tested Formula For Church Growth. He was also the primary teacher on the nationally televised Amazing Grace Bible Class, often taped on Sunday nights at the Madison building, which featured lessons like "If I Were a Woman" among other topics.
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