Next Theology Live! showcases women's research

Theology Live! 2025 takes place on Friday, 24 January at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church in London - and following Project Violet, features six women involved in research in Baptist life 

Theology Live! is an annual day conference for Baptists to explore theology together, with specialist input and time for discussion, which began in 2017. 

This is the first event since the publication of the Project Violet report, the major study into women’s experience of ministry which has sought to understand more fully the theological, missional, and structural obstacles women ministers face in the Baptist community in England and Wales.

As a result, those presenting are all women. They include:

• Gale Richards has recently completed her PhD and is now beginning some post-doctoral research - The Birmingham Baptist Churches exploring their Black History research project. Read Gale's report on the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the first known Black pastor in the UK
• Jane Day and Helen Cameron, are the co-leads of Project Violet, and although the report has been published and accepted by Baptist Union Council, Jane and Helen are doing further reflections on the methodology and learnings. For Jane this is part of her doctoral research, and for Helen, this is part of her role as Research Fellow in Baptist Studies at the Centre for Baptist Studies Oxford. 
• Lisa Kerry is undertaking a PhD exploring what it means to consider Baptist ministry as a professional vocation, similar to nursing or teaching. 
• Beth Allison-Glenny's PhD seeks to explore the theological understandings of ministry among Baptist women. 
• Sally Nelson continues to research into areas of ministerial education and formation

'Following the publication and affirmation of the Project Violet report, we thought it would be a good opportunity to highlight some of excellent research some women are doing within Baptist life,' organisers stated.

'Join us for a day of theological inspiration as we hear from Baptist scholars sharing their research.

'There are many Baptists engaged in theological and biblical research, and this day-event brings them together to share their thinking, fostering a community of research amongst British Baptists.

'The day will comprise a series of short papers, reflecting the diversity of current Baptist theological engagement, with opportunities to interact with speakers.

'As always, it promises to be an opportunity to think, reflect and be a place of meeting others.'

Theology Live! 2025 took place on Friday, 24 January at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church in London.

Click here for a link to all the talks