Beeson Divinity School’s Lay Academy of Theology Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Published on August 19, 2021 by Caroline Carmichael

Study Revelation with Beeson professor Piotr Małysz this fall

This fall, Beeson Divinity School’s Lay Academy of Theology will celebrate 20 years of faculty-led continuing education for ministers and laity in the Birmingham-area.

Despite challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the seminary-hosted seminars have continued to thrive.

“The Lay Academy is central to the mission of Beeson Divinity School,” said Douglas A. Sweeney, dean of Beeson Divinity School. “We’re here to serve the church, which means that we’re here to support churches, buttressing their discipleship ministries with faithful, high-level biblical and theological teaching. We hope that more and more people in the Birmingham area will take advantage of this program every year.”

As in years prior, the Fall 2021 semester will offer an array of faculty-led, non-credit theological courses. The two-hour seminars will meet for six consecutive weeks on weekday afternoons and evenings, beginning the week of Sept. 27. This semester will mark the start of something new in its 20 year history.

“Due to COVID-19, last year was the first year in the history of Lay Academy that we could not welcome guests to campus and had to go completely online,” said Jim Pounds, director of Lay Academy. “Although we missed being with Lay Academy students in person, this allowed us to reach new friends across the United States who were able to attend Lay Academy for the first time. Thus, starting this fall, we will offer all our classes both in person and online.”

This semester's registrants can select from a spectrum of stimulating topics, including:

Isaiah’s Gospel
Mondays, 6-8 p.m.
Beginning Sept. 27
By Mark Gignilliat, professor of Old Testament

Revelation: The Last Book of the Bible
Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m.
Beginning Sept. 29
By Piotr Małysz, associate professor of history and doctrine

Stay in the Story: Understanding the Whole Counsel of God (Part I)
Tuesdays, 3-5 p.m.
Beginning Sept. 28
By Douglas D. Webster, professor of pastoral theology and Christian preaching

The Westminster Confession
Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m.
Beginning Sept. 28
By Gerald Bray, research professor of divinity

Discounted rates of $89 for in person and $69 for online are available until Sept. 20; thereafter the rates will increase to $115 and $95.

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