Booking is now open for the second Grass Roots Theology Day, Redeeming Power, on Saturday 14 October at St Peter’s Church in Portishead.
Christians believe that God has the power to positively transform our lives, bringing freedom and purpose. But how does this actually happen? What parts are played by our emotions, psychology, relationships and environment? Secondly, how can theologians and the Church speak positively of power when it has been so often abused? Can power itself be redeemed?
Dr Lucy Peppiatt, Principal of Westminster Theological Centre (WTC), an innovative, hub-based theological college based in Cheltenham, will be the keynote speaker exploring these questions and others.
Lucy’s books include The Disciple: On Becoming Truly Human; Rediscovering Scripture’s Vision for Women: Fresh Perspectives on Disputed Texts, and The Imago Dei: Humanity Made in the Image of God. Along with her public speaking engagements, she teaches doctrine and spiritual formation at WTC, Lucy also jointly leads Crossnet Church in Bristol with her husband Nick Crawley. Lucy has degrees in English and theology, and her interests include the Trinity, charismatic theology, discipleship and 1 Corinthians.
Grass Roots Theology is an initiative organised by two parish priests, The Revd Jo Stobart (Vicar, Ilminster and Whitelackington) and The Revd Martin Little (Vicar of Highbridge), who want to weave a bit more theology into everyday life and ministry. The perspective is Christian, but the event is open to all who are interested in theology, lay and ordained, of all faiths and none.
Jo completed her ordination training at Sarum and a master’s degree here in Theology, Imagination and Culture.
The first Grassroots Theology event, The Life Everlasting held in January 2023, featured The Revd Canon Professor James Woodward, Principal of Sarum College.
‘If you need your batteries recharging and want to connect with some stimulating ideas and thinking then get yourself along to this day,’ he says. ‘I was glad to give the first presentation at this day in January and really appreciated the range and depth of the short papers. Make some time for this – you won’t be disappointed.’
Grass Roots Theology also welcomes submissions for short papers of no more than 10 minutes (with 5 minutes of questions) to be given on any aspect of theology related to the theme. Submissions from lay or ordained people, those with or without academic qualifications are all welcome and gratefully considered. The organisers reserve the right to choose which ones make the programme, to ensure balance and quality. Papers which are devotional or homiletic in tone will be considered, but the priority will be for papers with critical engagement on the chosen subject matter and some evidence of secondary sources.
Leave a Reply