2021 Bible Teachers and Preachers (Advanced) Network
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The church is always at its healthiest where there is a passion for the preaching of God’s Word. Across the world, there is a growing movement of church leaders and lay preachers who are committed to biblical, clear, engaging, and relevant Bible teaching and preaching. This movement transcends denominations and brings together people with a passion to feed the church and spread the Gospel through effective presentation of God’s Word.
This year’s Bible Teachers and Preachers Network will again be split into two levels. Each level will incorporate the dynamics of a learning community to enable participants to learn together and grow together as Bible teachers. Both levels are driven by a commitment to understanding not only the mechanics of Bible teaching and preaching, but also the theological heartbeat of effective ministry. They will share a passion for practical training as well as a determination to understand the Word and expound it clearly, relevantly, and engagingly in our European context.
All those who teach the Bible, (whether in a local church setting, on university campuses, or elsewhere, whether from the pulpit or not), are welcome to join us. While the primary focus will be on pulpit preaching, the principles of handling and communicating the Bible will apply in multiple ministry contexts.
The Advanced Track in 2021 will focus on preaching the epistles with a focus on 1 Peter. It is for those who have either attended a previous European Bible Teachers and Preachers Network, participated in the Year-Round Mentoring Preachers track, a Cor Deo preaching course, or a Langham Preaching seminar in Europe.
For those who have proven success in these areas and would like to be considered for the Advanced Network, please email ksaylor@euroleadership.org with a description of your background, experience in Bible teaching, and an explanation of why you would like to move up into the Advanced Network.
Prior preparation will be set for all applicants.
Applicants should be those who have either attended the European Bible Teachers and Preachers Network: Foundational Track or who have attended Langham Partnership Preaching conferences in their countries. The aim each year is to consider the challenges and opportunities presented by different biblical genres, building on the key skills gained in the foundational track.
Network Leadership
Network Speakers
Mike Chalmers is a mentor with Cor Deo, a ministry training programme, and is also UFM Worldwide’s Short-term Mission Coordinator. Previously, he was a Staff Worker in Wales with UCCF. He enjoys preaching and discipling and continues to support and encourage university students by speaking at… Read more
Andy Hamilton is originally from Northern Ireland but has lived in Italy for most of his life. Andy obtained a Master of Theology from Queen’s University Belfast through Belfast Bible College and a Doctor of Ministry degree in preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He lives in the… Read more
Peter Mead is the director of Cor Deo, a ministry training programme in Chippenham, England. He is also part of the leadership team of Trinity Chippenham, a church Peter helped to plant back in 2014. Peter is a lecturer for Union School of Theology. He studied at Multnomah Biblical Seminary… Read more
Steve Mitchell is part of the leadership team at Cornerstone Church in Swindon, a small church plant in the rapidly expanding north of the town. Steve is passionate about seeing God’s people equipped to share God’s Word no matter what context they are in. Previously, he worked in the IT industry… Read more
Peter J. Williams is the Principal and CEO of Tyndale House, Cambridge. He was educated at the University of Cambridge, where he received his MA, MPhil, and PhD in the study of ancient languages related to the Bible. After his PhD, he was on staff in the Faculty of Divinity at the University of… Read more
Network Programme
Sunday, 16 May
The first epistle of Peter is a goldmine of biblical insight for the suffering church in any age. But what was the original situation? Who were the recipients of this letter? Why were they unwanted, and repeatedly so? What was the nature of their suffering? In this session we will introduce 1 Peter and prepare to study through this epistle in the coming days together.
The epistles often feel very familiar to us preachers. The content is familiar, and the logical argumentation of the epistles can feel very similar to our systematic theology reading. But epistles are a specific genre with specific ways of achieving the goals of the original author. How can we read and preach the epistles so that we maximize their genre-specific strengths? What does it mean to preach an epistle well?
Monday, 17 May
The greatest antidote to the pain of suffering in this world is the joy inexpressible that comes from grasping the wonder of our salvation. In this session, we will consider the opening of the epistle as the great apostle showcases the wonder of the gospel and the privilege of the believer to be built into the building of God’s people. Together we will reflect personally on the blessing of being His at a time like this.
The subject of submission is not a comfortable subject in our contemporary culture. The subject of submission is even more complex when submission comes in the context of suffering. In this session, we will consider how Peter identifies believers in Jesus with their Lord, the submissive sufferer. Together we will work on outlining a text within this section.
Tuesday, 18 May
Preaching is never far from exhortation, but exhortation requires a certain sensitivity when our listeners are hurting. Just to add to the complexity, Peter includes some interpretationally difficult content at this point in the epistle. In this session we will wrestle with the twin values of biblical accuracy and pastoral sensitivity. Together we will work on developing support material for sensitively preaching complex passages.
Peter finishes his epistle with powerful and practical instructions for life, as well as some targeting training for leaders too. How can we as leaders among God’s people learn from this epistle as we serve in the midst of suffering? What character does God’s Spirit seek to generate in us? Together we will prayerfully respond to Peter’s epistle as we conclude our study.
Wednesday, 19 May
This combined session with both Bible Teachers Networks will offer a unique opportunity to hear and learn from Peter Williams as we bring questions to him about the plenary Bible teaching, as well as the rest of God’s Word too.
Preaching is not only about the message, but it is also about the context of the listeners. In this final session we will think together about preaching in a context of suffering – whether it is a global pandemic, local tragedy, or the hard grind of normal life. How can we preach God’s Word in a way that will be heard by those who are hurting? We will also use some of the session to conclude the week together. (Joint session with the Advanced Track)