2018 Niblett Memorial Lecture – Reimagine: The Role of the Church in the 21st Century

In the early years of the 16th century a young German monk by the name of Martin Luther came to believe that the shape of the established Church and its relationship to the State did not fit the needs of the world in which he was called to live and serve.

He wrote a commentary to reimagine faith and Church, based around the work of Paul and the Epistle to the Romans.

In the early years of the 20th century a young Swiss pastor by the name of Karl Barth came to believe that the shape of the established Church and its relationship to the State did not fit the needs of the world in which he was called to live and serve. He wrote a commentary to reimagine faith and Church, based around the work of Paul and the Epistle to the Romans.

This lecture in Salisbury Guildhall will suggest that in the early years of the 21st century it is clear to many that the shape of the established Church and its relationship to the State no longer fits the needs of the world in which we are called to live and serve. It is time, once more, to reimagine the role of faith, Church and its place in the public square, based around the work of Paul and the Epistle to the Romans.

Speaker Steve Chalke is a Baptist minister as well as the founder and leader of the Oasis group of charities. Oasis pioneers housing, education, healthcare, and many other community initiatives in the UK and elsewhere around the world. It now employs over 5,500 staff as well as working with many more thousands of volunteers. Steve also serves as the senior minister of Oasis Church, Waterloo, in central London and is an Ecumenical Canon of Southwark Cathedral. The holder of an MBE as well as an honorary doctorate from Staffordshire University, both awarded for his work in social inclusion and justice, he is an author, broadcaster and Fellow of Sarum College.

This lecture takes place in Salisbury Guildhall. It is free and open to all; there will be a retiring collection after the lecture. Prior booking is required. For tickets email info@sarum.ac.uk or telephone 01722 424800.