As the lectionary gospel for the next church year, we will explore the message of Mark for today. We will investigate the purpose and message of Mark’s gospel. We will relate that to the issues confronting our congregations in living as disciples of Christ. And we will think about how Mark communicates, and how that might gives us fresh lessons and ideas for our own preaching. We will have presentational input, group discussion and will earth our thinking through a deeper look at one passage from the gospel. Not only for preachers, but for those who receive preaching and for those who wish to think through the gospel more fully. 

Revd Paul Burden is Academic Dean at Sarum College. He has taught over a number of modules in our formational pathways leading to ordination or licensed lay ministry. He has a desire to see people getting excited about faith and deeply exploring the Bible. He brings long parish experience to his particular research interest in preaching, and is an active preacher in the churches around where he lives.