2026 Bible Teachers and Preachers (Advanced) Network
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In this year’s Advanced Network, we will explore teaching and preaching Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. 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.
The Advanced Track is for those who have either attended a previous ELF 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.
What Network Participants Are Saying
- "The European Leadership Forum is a great source of encouragement to me. It is refreshing to be reminded that we are not alone as a tiny Bible-believing minority in our country because we are also part of the global church. It is a great joy to be reminded that there are other people who love us and thus remind us of our Father's love for us. During the Forum, I received training that helped me to grow as a preacher and follower of Christ. I also formed connections with leaders from other countries that open new opportunities to serve and receive help in ministry." - Konrad Grondys, Pastor, Poland
- "At the Forum I heard brilliant teaching and I learned a lot from talking with other leaders from different parts of the world. I regularly preach in my church and I receive invitations from other churches and organisations to preach and teach, so the Bible Teachers and Preachers Network has been an incredible blessing to me." - Istvan Horvath, General Secretary of the Hungarian Evangelical Alliance, Hungary
- "I am preparing to be a pastor. For three years, I served as a pastoral intern and in a few months I hope to be ordained. It is an important time for me, thinking and planning and praying about my future, both in ministry as well as the possibility of further education. The Forum's Bible Teachers and Preachers Network provides me with the opportunity to grow, receive encouragement, learn, and hear stories of God working in Europe and around the world. I am tremendously grateful to be at the Forum." - Filip Kegel, vicar of EXE Church, Poland
Applicants should be those who either attended a previous ELF 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. 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 and podcaster 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… 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
Having served as a pastor for 45 years, in London and Chicago, Colin Smith now serves as President of Open the Bible, a media ministry that opens the bible for people, helps them to open the Bible for themselves, and encourages them to open the bible with others. Colin is the… Read more
Network Programme
Sunday, 17 May
God gave us five books of wisdom literature, and yet many teachers and preachers neglect this great section of Scripture. In this session, we will consider the role of the wisdom literature in the canon and the potential power of wisdom literature in our teaching and preaching. How does Hebrew poetry work? How should we approach this section of our Bibles?
The book of Proverbs is a treasure chest for the teacher and preacher, and yet many teachers and preachers only tend to quote a handful of verses without ever venturing into this great powerhouse of wisdom sayings. How can we make sense of the book as a whole? How should we approach the collections of individual proverbs?
Monday, 18 May
In this session, we will be working on some specific texts from Proverbs. How can we shape a Bible study or sermon when the saying only gives us two lines of material? We will work in small groups, pen in hand, to start to shape some Bible lessons or sermons on some sample proverbs. We may not arrive at polished perfection, but we will learn together as we launch the process.
The book of Ecclesiastes confuses many. How did such a depressing and apparently godless book get into our Bibles? And yet what a book it is! Once we get to grips with how this book works, it may become a favourite to read and a secret weapon to teach and preach. How can we understand the book as a whole? How can we engage with the specific sections in the book?
Tuesday, 19 May
In this session, we will be working on some specific sections from Ecclesiastes. How can we preach a sermon when the text seems to be so downbeat? We will work in small groups, pen in hand, to start to shape some sermons on some sample passages. Again, we may not arrive at polished perfection, but we will learn together as we launch the process.
We live in an age characterised by a vacuum in biblical and godly wisdom. This is an era crying out for the depth and insight offered to us in these biblical books. In this final session, we will think together about how we might bring the power of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes into our 21st-century context.
Wednesday, 20 May
This combined session of the Bible Teachers and Preachers Networks will offer a unique opportunity to hear and learn from Colin Smith. We will bring questions to him about the plenary Bible sessions, as well as questions about the rest of God’s Word and other aspects of the teacher’s life and ministry.
Preaching and teaching are not skills we learn once and repeat forever. There is always more to learn. In this final session, we will think together about growing as a preacher and teacher. What plans can we put in place to continue growing in the ministry that God has given us? For this session, the Foundational and Advanced Networks will be combined.