If we preachers want to preach effectively now, we need to learn from the resources of the past, develop fresh skills for now, and look beyond the curve at the trends that are hurtling toward us. The conference seeks to take the past, present and future seriously, so that we can shape our biblical preaching so that it will communicate with freshness to our contempory situation.
David Hilborn
Honourary Research Fellow Morlands College, Chair of Evangelical Alliance Theological Advisory Group
Ben Virgo
Christian Heritage London
John Woods
School of Preachers
Natalie Williams
Chief Executive at Jubilee+, Co-Author of Invisible Divides (April 2022)
The charge for the event is £70 and includes two lunches, one dinner, as well as teas and coffees.
If you're unable to make it in person there is also a livestream option for £20; and if anyone wants to come—but the cost is an issue—we can subsidise. Please email us on info@deadpreachers.com for details.
John has recorded a Sermonize podcast with Good News Broadcasting, which you can listen to below:
10am Coffee
10:30am Worship Brief Orientation session — Everything Starts with a Voice
Brief sermon on preaching for preachers by John Woods
Followed by a season worship, and prayer in groups for the situations we have come from, what we are looking for in these two days.
11:45am-1pm Session 1 — Ben Virgo
Ben will be comparing some historical preachers to help us reflect on what worked well for them and why, then having space to chat in groups and the implications for present ministry.
1pm-2pm Lunch
2pm-3:30pm Session 2 — John Woods Preaching in the Present Tense
This session aims to take Augustine as a conversation partner for how we can be better readers and preachers of Scripture in the 21st Century.
There will be room for interaction and group work.
3:30pm-4pm Break
4pm-5:30pm Session 3 — Ben Virgo
Ben will continue the theme of what we can learn from historical preachers. There will be room for interaction and group work.
6pm-7pm Something a bit different: Interview with Natalie Williams on Preaching in a world of Invisible Divides.
This session will explore how preachers can communicate with people from various, classes and backgrounds.
7pm Dinner
8:30am Arrival — Tea and Coffee
9am-10am Opening Worship
Timely Words: Brief sermon on preaching for preachers by John Woods
10am Stretch
10am-11:15am Session 2 — Seeing beyond the Curve David Hilborn
David will be using his considerable experience to help us think through some of the potential challenges for preaching in the future.
11:15-11:30am Break
11:30am-1pm Session 2 Seeing beyond the Curve David Hilborn
With time for interaction and Breakout rooms.
1pm Lunch
2pm-2:45pm Plenary panel discussion with Ben, David and John
Event Concludes
There will also be a couple of ten-minute sidebars on preaching tips scattered throughout the event.
Taking place at Kings Church Eastbourne
Tuesday 5th July 2022, 10am – Wednesday 6th July 2022, 3pm