24th January

The Two Realities of Gender
Phillip Johnston, Hope Church Greatham
After forty-plus years studying the understanding of womanhood throughout time, philosopher Prudence Allen confidently asserts that there are but ‘two fundamental principles of gender relation.’ Grasped together, they bring harmony. Grasped in isolation, there is frequently pain and injustice. This lecture will unpack the two realities of gender from the early pages of Scripture and encourage us to hold on to both.

31st January

We are ALL Children of the Jesus Revolution
Rev. Glen Scrivener, author, speaker and director of the ministry Speak Life
Whether we consider ourselves Christian or not, the Jesus movement is the most disruptive, influential and enduring revolution in history. Even critiques of Christianity turn out to be thoroughly Christian critiques. What does that mean for a culture that considers itself to have moved on from institutional Christianity? And what opportunities does the church have to proclaim Christ in a post-Christian culture?

7th February

Leading and Following in the Spiritual Footsteps of Jesus      
Peter S Williams, Christian Philosopher & Author, Southampton
Peter presents his recent work on Christian leadership. What makes someone a "leader"? What does leadership have to do with spirituality, rhetoric and values? What is the specific nature of "Christian leadership"? And what resources does "Christian leadership" have to offer that can mitigate against the abuse of leadership?

14th February

A Doubtful Saint : The Life and Work of Philip Yancey
Lacey Shelton, L’Abri Worker
Philip Yancey is one of the highest-selling evangelical authors in the modern era, with over 15 million English books in print. He has made an impressive career writing about his doubts and questions of faith. Yancey recently released a personal memoir, which his wife labelled a ‘prequel’ to all of his other books. Together, we will look at Yancey’s life story and his large body of work, and consider his reputation as a beloved spiritual guide for the doubting and suffering. 

21st February

A Long Obedience In The Same Direction?
Andrew Jones,Grace Church Hackney & St Anne’s Church, Hoxton
Change is part of being human and certainly part of being a Christian human but sometimes change can seem threatening. This lecture will be a personal and pastoral reflection on the conditions which lead us to change our minds and lives and faith but also the conditions which might lead us to resist change in these areas.

28th February

No Lecture

1st March

Film Festival - Greatham Village Hall
Theme: Fighting [for] Reality?
Contact bookings@englishlabri.org for more information
Registration closes February 24

7th March

Is God in Nature?
Jim Paul, L’Abri Worker
How we think of nature is vitally important for shaping our relationship with the natural world. Many Christians are functional materialists in their attitude to nature, whilst many environmentalists tend towards pantheism. This lecture aims to help us understand a biblical view of the relationship of God with his creation, one which will help us better care for and love our world.

14th March

No Lecture

21st March

All Artists Are Liars
Revd Dr Mark Meynell, Director (Europe & Caribbean) Langham Partnership | Preaching
Truth-telling through illusions and the suspension of disbelief. Mark will play around with a pan-arts approach and show that every art form is inevitably an illusion but that is necessary for their truth-telling.