Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

Multi-Cultural Church Focus at Next Spurgeon's Conference 

An analysis of how power is used and abused in multi-cultural churches will be presented at the next conference at Spurgeon's College

 
The event takes place at Spurgeon's College on Friday 30 November and is entitled 'Multi-cultural Churches - the Next Step'. It will take place  from 10am-4pm.

Multi-cultural church focus atA keynote speaker is the Revd Dr Malcolm Patten, whose recent research informs and motivates much of the conference content. This research investigates the issues that arose when a Baptist church in south London was deliberately developed multiculturally.

He said, 'Many churches, especially in London, are ethnically diverse, and their leaders will I am sure benefit from having certain relevant issues presented plainly and addressed.

'A particular issue is how power is used and abused and speaker Revd Dr Pat Took, the former President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, will share the wealth of insight she has on this subject.'

Other contributors include the Revd Joe Kapolyo, pastor of Edmonton Baptist Church in North London, who will explore biblical reading and preaching from a different cultural perspective. Originally from Zambia, he has led multicultural Churches in Zambia, Zimbabwe and is a former Principal of the Theological College of Central Africa in Zambia as well as All Nations Christian College.

He contributed a commentary on Matthew in the widely acclaimed one volume Africa Bible Commentary and is also author of the book The Human Condition, Christian Perspectives through African Eyes (IVP).

Dr Patten, currently pastor of Blackhorse Road Church, Walthamstow, and the Revd Rupert Lazar will present a case study of how they successfully dealt with the multi-cultural issues that arose in a particular church.

They have both been pastors in multicultural churches for over 20 years and worked together for seven years (West Croydon Baptist Church) with a particular commitment to developing multicultural approaches to ministry - during which time Dr Patten undertook research into the issues that arise.

The conference is the latest in a series of one-day conferences and workshops, initiated by Spurgeon's and aimed at those in local church ministry, ordained and lay. It is hoped that those who attend will find much to feed the mind and ideas to take back to their own churches. Further titles will be announced shortly.

Organiser Terry Wright said, 'Spurgeon's College is pleased to continue its series of one-day conferences to help local church ministers, preachers and worship leaders engage with current issues in the Church.

'The conference on multi-cultural churches should prove especially helpful, as more and more local churches find themselves welcoming an increasingly ethnically- and culturally-diverse membership.'

To attend the conference, email Terry Wright at churches2012@aol.com for a booking form. Prices are £30, including lunch and refreshments and £15 for full-time students (any institution) and the unwaged. 
 

    Post     Tweet
The 2025 Sam Sharpe Lecture
This year's lecturer Dr Selina Stone brings a prophetic and deeply theological lens to the Sharpe legacy of "liberation from below”, writes Wale Hudson Roberts
Fresh Streams calls Baptists Together to a day of prayer and fasting
Fresh Streams is inviting Baptist churches, ministers, and individuals across the UK to unite in a dedicated day of prayer and fasting on Thursday, 25 September 2025
'A thank-you—from those taught, challenged, and inspired by her ministry'
The Revd Dr Karen E. Smith was surprised with the presentation of a new volume published in her honour at this year’s Baptist Historical Society Summer Conference
Calling previous members of the Joppa Group
Were you a member of the Joppa Group? Do you have historic papers about it? An invitation-based roundtable event is being co-convened to mark the 40th anniversary of the group's founding. Paul Weller explains more
Ripples of Change - a service of celebration and thankfulness
A service has been organised to mark the role Jane Day served in our Baptist family as Centenary Enabler, combining thankfulness for the progress made, as well as a time of lament for many of the findings of Project Violet. Lisa Kerry explains more
I Will...Leave a lasting legacy
The Baptist Union of Great Britain with BMS World Mission have now launched a new church resource to help those considering an ongoing blessing to support God’s mission both in the UK and overseas
     Latest News 
    Posted: 29/07/2025
    Posted: 04/06/2025
    Posted: 21/05/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast