Preaching as Men and Women

POSTPONED

Monday 12 October, 7 - 9pm | online via Zoom

Workshop leaders: Liz Shercliff & Matt Allen

Do men and women preach differently from each other? Does it matter if they do? In this workshop, we'll explore the ways in which gender might influence our approaches to selecting and interpreting scriptural texts for preaching, sermon styles, and delivery. We will also consider the ways in which acknowledging and even embracing these differences can enhance our own preaching and enrich the Church.

This workshop will be led by the Revd Dr Liz Shercliff and the Revd Dr Matt Allen. Liz Shercliff is on the staff of the Luther King Centre, Manchester, where she teaches biblical and preaching courses. She was until recently Director of Studies in the Diocese of Chester, and is an occasional lecturer at Emmanuel Theological College and The Nazarene Theological College. She is author of Preaching Women: Gender, Power and the Pulpit, Straw for the Bricks (with Gary O'Neil), and Out of the Shadows: Preaching the Women of the Bible (with Kate Bruce). She is also a regular contributor to The Canterbury Preacher's Companion. Matt Allen is the Blackburn Centre Lead Tutor at Emmanuel Theological College. He oversees the teaching in Preaching and Practical Theology. Prior to that he was the Director of Training in Blackburn Diocese and has been a parish Priest, including leading an Anglican-Baptist Local Ecumenical Partnership in Accrington. Matt is passionate about helping others develop their gifts for ministry. He was until recently the Reviews and Resources Editor for The Preacher magazine. Liz and Matt together are the authors of The Present Preacher.

Click here to book tickets.

Ticket prices: general, £15; ministry student, £12

Booking closes 1 October 2026

Preachers' Forum

Tuesday 20th October 7.30 - 9pm

Each month we host an online preaching forum exploring the Sunday lectionary readings for the month ahead. The forum takes place on the third Tuesday of the month 7.30-9pm. All preachers are welcome and the forum is offered free of charge. The zoom link for the forum is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88066677829?pwd=4Fvuy8G1cbixzzduSyZa5P6tcsueUu.1 

Preaching on Empty

Wednesday 21st October, 12 - 1  | Online via zoom

Preaching on Empty is the first in our new series of Preacher Wellbeing sessions. In this reflective session we will explore how we preach when we feel empty and ways in which we might resource ourselves not just with knowledge but enthusiasm for sharing God's Word. 

The session takes place over lunch time and you are welcome to eat your lunch during the session. 

Booking is through Eventbrite. Tickets are £5

Preaching the Incarnation from Advent to Epiphany

4th November 2-4.30pm | online via Zoom

Workshop leader: Jennifer Brown

The story of Jesus' birth doesn't stand in isolation. It follows the anticipation of the season of Advent, and is followed by the revelations of Jesus' identity encountered through the season of Epiphany. In this workshop, we will look at ways to approach preaching about the incarnation throughout Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, how we might explore new angles and fresh perspectives on the incarnation in our preaching, and how to engage those who may only come to church at Christmas.

This workshop will be led by the Revd Dr Jennifer Brown. Jennifer is the Rector of the parish of Abingdon-on-Thames and former Director of Training for the College of Preachers. She has ministered in both parish and chaplaincy settings and has over 10 years' experience in theological education.

Click here to book tickets. 

Ticket prices: general, £15; ministry student, £12

Booking closes 29 October 2026

Preachers' Forum

Tuesday 17th November 7.30 - 9pm

Each month we host an online preaching forum exploring the Sunday lectionary readings for the month ahead. The forum takes place on the third Tuesday of the month 7.30-9pm. All preachers are welcome and the forum is offered free of charge. The zoom link for the forum is here 

Getting to Grips with Mark’s Gospel

Saturday 21st November 10 - 12 | online via Zoom

Workshop leader: Dr Lindsey Hall

Mark's Gospel is the shortest of the four gospels, and is generally accepted to be the earliest account of Jesus' life and ministry. Mark's Gospel speaks with an urgency not felt in the other gospels. This workshop will examine Mark's Gospel and its unique characteristics, considering how preachers can use these to develop sermons that also tell the good news of Jesus with urgency and excitement.

This workshop will be led by Lindsey Hall, the Director of Learning and Communications at the College of Preachers. 

Click here to book tickets. 

Ticket prices: general, £15; ministry student, £12

Booking closes 20th November 2026

Resting in the Word

Thursday 10th December, 12 - 1pm | Online event

A short reflective session for Preachers to 'rest in the Word' of God made flesh.

Preaching When the World is in the Room

Monday 11 January 7 – 8.30 | Online event

Bishop Saju Muthalaly

£15 (£12 Ministry Students) Booking through Eventbrite

Preaching in a Polarised Society

Saturday 23 January, 10 – 12 | Online Event

Revd Dr Liz Shercliff

In this workshop, Dr Liz Shercliff will draw on her research work to consider some of the reasons why society has become polarised, and how we might preach to such a society.  

Liz Shercliff is on the staff of the Luther King Centre, Manchester, where she teaches biblical and preaching courses. She was until recently Director of Studies in the Diocese of Chester, and is an occasional lecturer at Emmanuel Theological College and The Nazarene Theological College. She is author of Preaching Women: Gender, Power and the Pulpit, Straw for the Bricks (with Gary O'Neil), and Out of the Shadows: Preaching the Women of the Bible (with Kate Bruce). She is also a regular contributor to The Canterbury Preacher's Companion.

£15 (£12 Ministry Students). Booking through Eventbrite

Possible Preaching Pitfalls in the Passion (and how to avoid them)

Wednesday 27 January, 7.30 – 9.30

Possible Preaching Pitfalls in the Passion (and how to avoid them) 

Revd Andy Braunston

Andy Braunston will look at the readings for Lent and Holy week and consider how Christians may misunderstand first century Jewish life and practice. He will suggest ways in which contemporary Jewish scholars look at these passages which can help preachers avoid falling into interpretations which are not faithful to the intent of the original writers and editors of the texts we work with.

The Revd Andy Braunston is the United Reformed Church’s Minister for Digital Worship; in this role he creates and curates a range of material to help preachers prepare worship. He is a tutor with the Scottish College (Congregational and United Reformed) which prepares women and men for ordained ministry. He lives in Orkney with his husband, Ian, and helps lead worship both in the URC congregation there and in various local Church of Scotland congregations.

£15 (£12 Ministry Student) Booking through Eventbrite

Preaching & Communicating the Gospel Alongside Secular & “Spiritual but not Religious" People

Wednesday 3rd February 2-4pm | Online Event

In our secular age, the pulpit is sometimes seen societally as an antiquated, even controlling medium. Spiritual explorers are more likely to consult television for wisdom or TikTok for guidance than any traditional sermon. Does that mean that traditional preaching is over? Or that ancient and pioneering ways of being Church should downplay the importance of the sermon? On the contrary.

In this speaker presentation and group conversation, we’ll explore what we might learn about the task and art of preaching from unexpected channels such as stand-up comedy, social media, and the rooms of 12 Step addiction recovery.

Join us to ponder, play and push into new terrains that the Holy Spirit may be coursing through – for our own salvation and for that of religiously-unaffiliated people.

The Revd Trey Hall is Director of Evangelism & Growth for the Methodist Church in Britain. He is a pioneer and evangelist, long-ago marathoner, failed improv comedy student, and a regular Pause for Thought contributor on The Sara Cox Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2.

£15 (£12 Ministry Students) Booking at Eventbrite