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Posted: 9/19/03

Woodland members Warren Blanchard, Kay Nolan and Martha Morse join in a class discussion.

Laity Institute classes 'go deep' at local churches

By Craig Bird

Texas Baptist Communications

SAN ANTONIO–Woodland Baptist Church in San Antonio is as sports-minded as the next congregation. But when folks there talk about “going deep,” it may not have anything to do with football, or even fishing.

It could have everything to do with Woodland's enthusiastic involvement with the Texas Baptist Laity Institute. In that case, digging has to do with mining the riches of Scripture, delving into Baptist history, mastering methods of ministry or understanding the complexities of other religions.

Woodland Baptist Church member Mary Johns (above) participates in a Texas Baptist Laity Institute class held at her church.

Certified mentors/instructors lead small-group studies in college- and seminary-level courses. Students commit to 12 two-hour class meetings. They also pay $100 per course and purchase required textbooks.

“Many long-time Christians have been around the block so many times–same songs, same sermons, same Sunday School lessons–they may have lost some of the excitement,” Pastor Jud Edwards said. “Those who take these classes will learn new things that will excite them and renew their commitment.”

Ann Bell, former associate pastor at Woodland, suggested that the church consider the program, believing it would be a good fit for the 500-member congregation. But she and Edwards both were surprised at the strength of the positive response.

Bell, who now serves as a pastoral resident at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, contacted about 20 Woodland members who are seminary-trained, hoping two or three would be interested in undergoing the required Laity Institute training to become mentors.

Instead, she got nine “I'd love to” responses, and eight were certified. One withdrew for health reasons.

“That overwhelming response points to a perceived need to bridge the gap between theological education in our seminaries and local churches,” she said.

Last March, four mentors team-taught a free, four-week sample class on “Baptist Faith and Distinctives.”

Regular classes started with “Introduction to the New Testament,” and now Woodland has two classes meeting–a second New Testament survey in addition to an introduction to the Old Testament. Future classes are planned in pastoral care for lay ministry, introduction to Christian ethics, introduction to theology and church history.

Any church member can benefit from scholarly, in-depth study through Texas Baptist Laity Institute, Bell stressed, but there are direct benefits for deacons, Sunday School teachers and other ministry volunteers.

As they apply their new knowledge and understanding, “Woodland's entire congregation will become more aware of Christian history, theology and Scripture and thus become more committed, practicing their faith with renewed energy and passion,” she said.

Martha Morse, a medical doctor who grew up in Colombia where her parents were Southern Baptist missionaries, was pleasantly surprised by the almost immediate impact the New Testament class had on her spiritual walk.

“Sermons and Bible studies and personal devotions now have a deeper, more connected meaning when I bring the additional understanding to the experience,” she explained. She thinks everyone would benefit but warns, “People may have their faith threatened if it is dependent on pre-conceived notions and not a relationship with the Lord.”

Woodland Baptist Church member Mary Johns (above) participates in a Texas Baptist Laity Institute class held at her church. At left, Woodland members Warren Blanchard, Kay Nolan and Martha Morse join in a class discussion. The relatively new Baptist General Convention of Texas model takes intensive studies of the Scriptures to local congregations.