Baptists, peace and conflict  

This year’s Baptist Theology North on 13 March in Huddersfield offers a day to reflect on and discuss a topic of major contemporary importance

The quest for peace is daily in our newsfeeds, and conflict seems almost to be a way of business in today’s fractured world. Neither are our churches immune from differences that can be painful.  

One of our keynote speakers will be Helen Paynter, Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence based at Bristol Baptist College. Helen has written and posted widely on all kinds of conflict and conflict resolution, including some highly practical material for use in churches and Bible studies. She has also been a contributor to the Joint Public Issues Team’s Politics in the Pulpit. 

Helen’s address is entitled Living Faithfully in a Complex and Violent World and we look forward to hearing what she has to say. 

Another Baptist scholar who has published widely on political theology is Joshua Searle, now Professor of Mission Studies and Intercultural Theology at Elstal University in Germany. 

Joshua, a Baptist pastor, has reflected at length on the politics of Eastern Europe, being also a trustee of the Dnipro Hope Mission in Ukraine. He will Zoom into our meeting to speak to us on the title Witnessing to peace amid Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. 

Last year’s BTN on Communion included a very practical session and this was much appreciated by attenders, so Jo and Andy Williams of The Blackley Centre will bring us some ideas around dealing with conflict in our churches. Jo and Andy offer consultancy and training from the Centre and are well known among us.

There will be a short paper session too, in which local ministers offer topics of their own research interest; and, following last year’s successful experiment, our lunch will be a simple shared agape meal in the Anabaptist style. 
BTN was conceived in 2010 as a place for theological conversation and an hospitable space for people to test their ideas among friends. Lunch together is a key part of our day and a time to renew - and make - friendships with others. 

Now in its 16th year, we have been hosted since the pandemic interruption by a wonderful team at Huddersfield New North Road Baptist Church. The event has grown, suggesting that interest in discussing theology in a Baptist way is still thriving.  

You would be welcome: coffee is from 9am and we will finish by 4pm to allow you to get home. The cost for the day is £32 including lunch.

For more information or to book, contact Sally Nelson, or join our Facebook group to keep updated here. 

 

Sally Nelson, with Keith Jones, Mark Janes and Julie Bryan (convening team)