About the Lay Academy
The Lay Academy of Religion is a cooperative effort between Christ United Methodist Church and the Center for Continuing Education at Duke Divinity School. The Lay Academy typically offers continuing education courses for all interested persons in both the Fall and Winter of the year. In the recent past special short term classes have also been offered.
All courses are offered at Christ United Methodist Church and meet on designated Tuesday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Registration (either in advance or at the door) is typically required to participate in the studies. Cost is $25 per person; $35 per couple. Childcare is provided upon request at registration. Please watch for details about our next session with Dr. Mickey Efird. Interested persons can register for upcoming classes by contacting the church office by phone (336-299-1571 or email.
About Professor Efird
James M. (Mickey) Efird is Professor of Biblical Interpretation at the Divinity School, Duke University. He is author of a number of books, including: The Old Testament Writings, The New Testament Writings, How to Interpret the Bible, and Revelation for Today.
Winter 2010 Session: The Gospel of John
Dates: Tuesdays, February 23 - March 23, 2010
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
Location: Music Room of Christ Church
The Gospel of John is very different from the three other gospels, the Synoptics, and presents Jesus from a more spiritual perspective. The author depicts Jesus as the Logos, the Word of God, come to us in human form. As such, Jesus has come to give a new kind of quality of life and a fuller revelation of God. This gospel has often been called the "sign" gospel because everything Jesus does and says is a sign pointing to a deeper or higher meaning. Click here to download a registration form.
Archived Session Materials
For three weeks in June of 2009, Dr. Rhonda Burnette-Bletsch, Lucy H. Robertson Professor of Religion at Greensboro College led a special session of our Lay Academy in June. Her topic was "A Thinking Person's Guide to Biblical Truth. Summary notes from her sessions have been requested by many attendees and are located below.