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College of Preachers Events
The College of Preachers offers three strands of learning and support to Preachers: Communicating God’s Word, exploring techniques and styles of preaching; Preaching for the Kingdom, engaging with the Scriptures and the transformation of individuals and communities; and a new strand Preacher Wellbeing, supporting you to bring your whole, healthiest self to your preaching ministry. Our learning events are open to preachers of all denominations.
You can purchase a Season Ticket which costs £50 and gives you access to all of our online learning sessions From September 2026 - July 2027.
We also run private events for churches and dioceses. See Training for more information.
Be the first to hear about new events: sign up to receive the College newsletter.
2026 September
Preaching As Storytelling
Saturday, 12 September, 10.30-13.00 (date/time tbc) | online via Zoom
Workshop leader: Martin Little
Every sermon tells a story - the story of God's relationship with creation and humanity, the story of Jesus, and the story of our place within God's story. Recognising this, how can we use narrative structure to help convey the message of our sermons? In this workshop, we will consider how stories work, what makes for good story-telling, and how we can intentionally shape our sermons as stories to engage our congregations and help them to understand their own place within the story of God's love and salvation.
This workshop will be led by The Revd Martin Little, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Headington Quarry, Oxford. Martin studied History of Art at The University of Edinburgh, and completed an MA in Theology, Ministry, and Mission at Cranmer Hall in Durham in 2017, where he was taught by the biblical scholar Professor Walter Moberly and The Revd Dr Kate Bruce. After a short-lived stint in banking, he spent ten years in youth and music ministry before ordination in the Church of England. Martin has previously ministered in an area of significant social deprivation within Somerset where, together with The Revd Jo Stobart, he was part of the initiative Grass Roots Theology, bringing free open-access theology days to locations around Somerset.
Ticket prices: general, £15; ministry student, £12
Booking closes 7 September 2026
Communicating God's Word
Introduction to Preaching
Thursday 17th September 11-1
Aimed at those new to preaching this workshop will explore ways of writing & delivering sermons that will enable preaching with confidence.
Starting out as a preacher can feel daunting - how can I find the right words to say? How do I construct and deliver a sermon well? This workshop will explore how we can write and deliver sermons that are engaging, faithful to scripture, and relevant to our congregations. Ideal for those just starting out in preaching, this workshop will look at some of the basics of sermon writing and preaching.
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 and preached in both parish and chaplaincy settings, and has over ten years' experience as a theological educator.
Tickets are £15 or £12 for those training for ministry.
Book at Eventbrite
Communicating God's Word
Preachers' Forum
Tuesday 22nd September, 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
EFL for Preachers
Wednesday 23rd September 10 – 11
These short, practical sessions are aimed to support preachers whose first language isn’t English. In the sessions preachers will learn about the physical process of speaking and be encouraged to form some language habits that will help them to be heard clearly. Commencing with a shared session, the series continues with three follow-up sessions which take place over the next two months. These sessions will be in small groups or 1-1 and will focus on exercises and techniques for the preacher to practise. These sessions will be agreed with the facilitator following the first session. Online via zoom.
Session 1: September 23rd 10 - 11
Sessions 2 – 4: By arrangement
EFL for Preachers will be led by Rev Mary Cotes. Mary worked as a speech and drama teacher for many years prior to entering Baptist ministry and still gives lessons. She has served pastorates in Devon and Wales, and worked as Ecumenical Moderator in Milton Keynes. She has contributed to religious programming on BBC Radio Wales, Radio 2 and Radio 4, and for some years was editor of the Biblical Studies page for the French website Servir Ensemble.
Price for series: £25
Booking at Eventbrite
Please note this is not included in the season ticket offer
2026 October
Beyond October
Thursday 1st October, 7-8.30pm | Online event
Learning from Black History Month led by Prof Robert Beckford
In this learning session at the start of Black History Month Prof Robert Beckford will explore what lessons we might learn for preaching from BHM. He will challenge us to think about hidden stories and histories and how we might bring these alive in preaching.
Prof Robert Beckford is a scholar-activist researching the intersections of faith and racial justice in and through diverse media texts. He has written a dozen books which triangulate the fields of theology, cultural studies and politics. He is also a BAFTA award winning documentary filmmaker. Beckford has written and presented over twenty films for the BBC, Channel 4 and Discovery USA. His films explore a range of themes including political critiques of the British Empire, biblical history and popular culture.
Booking via Eventbrite
Tickets £15, Ministry students £12
Speaking Faithfully: Preaching for Broadcast Media & Online
Saturday, 10 October, 14.00-16.00 | online via Zoom
Workshop leader: Grace Thomas
In this workshop, we will be exploring what it means to speak the faith for broadcasting, both for traditional and online media, and what the expectations are, what some of the pitfalls can be, and how to remain authentic.
This workshop will be led by Revd Canon Grace Thomas. Grace is Canon Missioner at Manchester Cathedral and Diocesan Environmental Officer for Manchester Diocese. Grace regularly presents Radio 2’s Pause for Thought and Radio 4’s Daily Service, and has contributed to a number of BBC Radio Sunday Worship services as well as BBC Radio Manchester’s Sunday Breakfast show . Grace has also appeared on BBC Breakfast News and the One Show. She is active on social media, mainly Instagram, Bluesky and Facebook and had a large presence on Twitter/X (including navigating a viral tweet that garnered over 10million views) before she closed the account in 2024.
Ticket prices: general, £12; ministry student, £10
Booking closes 6 October 2026
Preaching as Men and Women
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.
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
2026 November
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.
Ticket prices: general, £15; ministry student, £12
Booking closes 29 October 2026
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.
Ticket prices: general, £15; ministry student, £12
Booking closes 20th November 2026
2026 December
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.
A short reflective session for Preachers to 'rest in the Word' of God made flesh. Time to focus on Jesus and the tremendous Good News of Christmas ahead of preaching over the festive season.
Tickets £5
Book here
Issue 203: Preaching in an Age of Outrage
