ATLANTA – A Cooperative Baptist Fellowship partner school in Atlanta is sponsoring an educational weekend for laity leaders. Candler School of Theology at Emory University has announced a lay weekend Nov. 5-6 on Emory’s campus.

The Bill Mallard Lay Theology Institute has planned the weekend, which includes eight hours of instruction by Emory professors.

The event is an opportunity for Baptist laypeople interested in what their pastors learned in seminary, according to David Key, Candler’s director of Baptist studies. "The lay weekend gives these folks a taste of what seminary is like. It will be seminary-level courses directed to laypersons. Some of our best teachers here at Emory are involved," Key said.

Participants choose one of the following courses:

• “Inclusion or Embrace,” taught by sociology of religion professor Nancy Eiesland, focuses on the church’s relationship and responsibility to people with disabilities.
• “Studying the Synoptic Gospels,” taught by New Testament professor Walter Wilson, introduces established methods of Synoptic Gospel scholarship.
• “The Anatomy of the Soul: The Book of Psalms,” taught by Old Testament professor Brent Strawn, is a study of Psalms.
• “Introducing the Early Church,” taught by historical theology professor Lewis Ayres, concentrates on major questions about the early church.
• “Theology and Literature,” taught by historical theology professor David Pacini, discusses the “end time” themes in popular literature such as the “Left Behind” series.
• “Care Giving in the Church,” taught by pastoral theology professor Rodney Hunter, guides lay leaders on appropriate care giving skills and practices.
• “Rituals and Ethics,” taught by Old Testament professor John Hayes, studies main themes and practices in Leviticus.

Classes are held Friday night and Saturday. Participants who attend all class sessions receive one continuing education credit.

Registration prior to Oct. 20 is $60 and $75 thereafter. Meals are also available. Additional information is available at www.candler.emory.edu/ACADEMIC/OCME/LTI/index.html or by contacting the Office of Church Ministries Education at (404) 727-0714.

Another laity weekend is planned for Feb. 4-5.

CBF is a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.