College of Preachers - upcoming workshops

Preaching from Luke’s Gospel

Tuesday 15th October, 10.30-13.00 | Online via Zoom

Workshop Leader: Neil Richardson

This workshop will look at how we can use what is familiar (and what is less familiar) in Luke's Gospel to go more deeply into the themes that Luke highlights, such as concern for the outsider. This workshop will also consider those elements that Luke's Gospel shares with the other synoptics, and what is unique to Luke's account of Jesus' life, and how we can address these similarities and differences in our preaching.

The workshop will be led by the Revd Dr Neil Richardson, Methodist minister and former President of the British Methodist Conference. Neil is a New Testament scholar, and former Principal of Wesley College, Bristol. He is the author of several works, including Love Answering Love: Praying Through the Bible.

Preaching for Advent & Christmas

Saturday 2 November, 10.30-13.00 | Online via Zoom

Workshop Leader: John Woods

This workshop will explore how we can effectively discuss these themes in our Advent preaching, making connections with the Christmas story and the Christian belief that Jesus will return, bringing the Kingdom of God in all its fullness.

This workshop will be led by Pastor Dr John Woods. This workshop will be led by Dr John Woods. Dr Woods is the Training Director of the School of Preachers Trust. He has had four decades of experience in pastoral work in the UK and since 1993 has taught preaching in Latvia and other parts of Eastern Europe. He is the author of God is in the House.

Preaching at Baptisms

Tuesday 14 January, 10.30-13.00 | Online via Zoom

Workshop Leader: Jennifer Brown

In this workshop, we will explore ways to communicate the meaning of baptism, drawing on relevant scriptural passages and the symbols used within the baptism service itself. We will also look at how baptism preaching can be evangelistic, an invitation to those present to start their own journey of faith.

The workshop will be led by the Revd Dr Jennifer Brown. Dr Brown is the Director of Training for the College of Preachers and a parish priest in the Church of England's Oxford Diocese, and has more than a decade's experience as a theological educator.

Preaching the Story of Holy Week

Tuesday 25 February, 10.30-13.00 | Online via Zoom

Workshop Leader: Michael Beck

This workshop will explore the narrative that connects these events and consider ways in which our preaching through Holy Week can tell a coherent story of the journey to the cross, while still managing to be effective ‘stand-alone’ sermons.

The workshop will be led by the Revd Dr Michael Beck. Dr Beck has been a priest for 44 years in a variety of settings: mainly parish but also 5 years in a major cathedral, as well as having been a police chaplain and a locum hospital chaplain alongside parochial work. He has been a member of the College of Preachers since 1980 and a tutor for over 20 years.

Preaching and Apologetics

Saturday 22 March, 10.30-13.00 | Online via Zoom

Workshop Leader: John Woods

“Always be ready to give a reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3.15)

This workshop will explore the importance of apologetics within the Church, the relationship between preaching and apologetics, and how our sermons can become effective and powerful tools for equipping Christians to think and speak confidently about their faith.

This workshop will be led by Rev Dr John Woods, who is the Training Director of the School of Preachers Trust. He has had four decades of experience in pastoral work in the UK and since 1993 has taught preaching in Latvia and other parts of Eastern Europe. He is the author of God is in the House, which seeks to reimagine how we prepare sermons.

The Language of Resurrection: Finding the Right Words

Wednesday 2 April, 10.30-13.00 | Online via Zoom

Workshop Leader: Rod Garner

This workshop is for preachers wishing to engage with preaching the resurrection in a secular age. Preparing for Holy Week and Easter provides the fitting, even urgent context, in which teaching and faithfulness to the word of God can be enriched by the fruits of theology and the creative imagination.

This workshop will be led by Rod Garner, Anglican priest, writer and theologian. Rod has served in four urban parishes and taught at colleges and universities in the UK and America. He is an Honorary Fellow at Liverpool Hope University and Emeritus Canon of Liverpool Cathedral. He is the author of numerous books, his most recent being Outsiders: Marching to a Different Drum (Liverpool Hope University Press 2022).

For more information about these workshops, including prices and links to book tickets, please visit www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events