Discernment focus for next Theology Live

Theology Live on 19 January will take the time to reflect on how we discern, so central to our being Baptist, and the theology that gives it meaning and weight, organisers say 

Theology Live has been running for six years. A day conference for Baptists to explore theology together, with specialist input and time for discussion, it’s been a fantastic mix of papers by Baptists engaged in theological research and study. You can find links to previous years speakers here, and many of the papers have become articles in the Journal for Baptist Theology in Context.

Theology Live is back in 2024, but this year with a difference. Instead of a day of various papers, we are doing something different and something important: we are taking the day to focus and explore the Baptist practice of discernment.

At the heart of being Baptist is the belief that Christ ‘rules’ the church and each congregation can discern the mind of Christ for its life, worship and witness. It's embodied centrally in the church meeting, but discernment also takes places in other ways, formal and informal.

Discernment is also part of our wider life, seen in Associations and the Baptist Unions. Here is the place of Councils and Assemblies, where in different ways we seek the mind of Christ for our wider life.

Discernment sometimes seems easy, but it can involve issues, questions and opportunities which are anything but easy. We can all probably think of some of the more difficult moments of discernment in our church experience and those for our wider Baptist life. 

Although it is so central to our being Baptist, we rarely take the time to reflect on how we discern and the theology that gives it meaning and weight. 

Ruth Moriarty has been thinking and research the practice of discernment and church meetings as part of her doctoral studies. As she nears completion, we want to take some time to engage with what she has learned and how it might help Baptist churches (and our wider bodies) practise discernment well and recognise how we might not do it well. 

Alongside Ruth, Steve Holmes, who teaches theology at University of St. Andrews, will help us reflect on the theology of discernment and the church meeting. 

Anthony Clarke, who teaches theology and ministry at Regent’s Park College, Oxford will help us think about the place of those who hold leadership in the church (ministers, deacons, elders, trustees) in how we discern as the whole body of Christ. Anthony has recently written two helpful reflections on discernment and leadership that can be found in the books Being Attentive and Attending to the Margins.

We will therefore have fewer speakers than in previous years, but we hope this will create space for more participation and discussion. 

Theology Live is also a great opportunity to meet with others and there will be plenty of time for that too.
We believe this will be an interesting and helpful day and we hope you might join us.  


Theology Live 2024 takes place on 19 January, at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church. More details and how to book are here via this Eventbrite link

Thrology Live is organised by Andy Goodliff (Belle Vue Baptist Church / Regent's Park College, Oxford); Steve Holmes (University of St Andrews); Ruth Moriarty (ChristChurch, New Southgate & Friern Barnet) and Simon Woodman (Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church)