Rev Dr Deirdre Brower

Principal and Senior Lecturer in Pastoral and Social Theology

Meet Deirdre

I was born in Canada, the daughter of passionate Christian parents who joined a love for God with a love of learning. We moved between the UK and Canada several times before finally settling in Manchester in my late teens. I pastored churches in Urban Bristol and Manchester, serving in both settings in co-vocational roles – as Youth Pastor and then as lecturer in Pastoral and Social Theology at NTC in Manchester. As a result of my pastoral work, I became increasingly interested in issues of justice and transformation, urban realities and practices – all joined with an intense love of learning and theology.

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Education, teaching and research

Rev. Dr. Deirdre Brower Latz’s research primarily focuses on the intersection of theology and social issues, particularly in urban contexts. Her interests include:

Poverty and Church Engagement: She has been involved in research concerning the church’s role in engaging with people living on the margins of society, particularly focusing on economic poverty.
Cultural Influence on Congregational Life: She explores how culture shapes congregational dynamics and the impact of globalisation on church practices.
Urban Mission and Ministry: Her work often considers how urban planning and understandings of the city relate to theological education and practice.
Wesleyan Theological Frameworks: She is interested in how Wesleyan theology can inform justice and compassionate action within communities.
Leadership Development and Organisational Change: Her teaching and research also cover leadership practices, integrity, and justice within church and community settings.

Selected Publications

2007: “What is the Church? Towards a Wesleyan Ecclesiology” in Didache, an online journal.
2009: Chapter in “Postmodern and Wesleyan? Exploring the Boundaries and Possibilities,” published by Beacon Hill Press.
2009: “Generations” in Didache, an online journal.
2010: Several sermons published in The Preacher magazine.
2011: Book review of “Work: A Kingdom Perspective” in Evangelical Quarterly.
2012: Chapter in “Conversations on Holiness,” edited by Keith M. Davenport.
2018: “Themes for Christian Education and Formation in a British, Postmodern, Secular Context” in Christian Education Journal.
2019: Contributions to the Justice and Peace Network and “Faith in our Democracy” paper.
2020: Sermons in The Preacher Magazine and contributions to the Global Wesleyan Dictionary of Theology.
2021: Foreword for “The Present Preacher” and “Garbage Theology.”
2022: Chapters in “A Prophet Among Us: The Legacy of Tom Nees” and “The Pastor as Theological Steward,” both edited by Al Truesdale.
2023: “Church on the Margins: Report on Research” with Carmel Murphy-Elliot and Sarah Purcell.
2024: Edited and contributed to “The Holy People of God: Identity, Contexts, Challenges,” published by Cascade.