A further example of this integration is the approach of an Old Testament scholar who seeks integration in two ways. First, she alternates the books she writes, one written for a general church audience and the next for the scholarly community, and t hen again for the general church. Her next writing is for an adult education Bible series. Secondly, she seeks to integrate her teaching in Old Testament by inviting faculty colleagues to visit the class and preach on biblical material the class is stud ying. This provides an integration of quality scholarship with quality practical skills involved in proclamation.
Students can experience directly how the professor is involved in the life of the church.
In light of the increasing hunger among laity to learn Bible and theology, the seminary has an excellent opportunity to include them among their constituency, to ta ke their intellect and enliven it for the church. The seminary would find an enthusiastic response to lay academies sponsored for clusters of local churches. To really get to know the mind, heart, and soul of congregations there is no better way than to provide educational opportunities for them. Aware of the time demands on faculty, laity call for the schools to be more creative in developing video resources to serve lay educational needs. The reasoning that faculty do not have time to itinerate amon g churches is well-understood, but modern technology will increasingly provide numerous ways for the seminary to respond creatively to the request for lay education.