Speakers from around the world teaching theology

Public Lectures

Throughout the year, the college invites speakers to deliver a series of public lectures, each with a different theological focus.

Didsbury Lectures

In 1979 the College instituted an annual lecture series, the Didsbury Lectures. Each year a series of four lectures is given by a leading theologian standing within the historic Christian faith.

You can view recordings of some lectures on our Public Lectures Playlist.

The Drysdale Lectures

In 1916 Scottish evangelist, John Douglas Drysdale settled in Birkenhead and gathered around him a following, which soon became Emmanuel Church in Claughton Road. His fervent preaching challenged young people to be trained in reaching out to the needs of people worldwide. Emmanuel Bible College began training missionaries on November 11th 1920 with three students.

In 1997, Emmanuel Bible College, Birkenhead, ceased operation and became an integral part of NTC, and in 2004 the Emmanuel Centre – a new library and classroom unit – was opened, to mark that transition.

The mission interests of EBC were carried at NTC first by the Emmanuel Centre for Mission Study, and then The Centre for Evangelism and Church Development led by Momentum UK. Currently, the missional studies and practice at Nazarene Theological College are embedded in the overarching Practical Theology department. The annual ‘Drysdale Lecture’ began in 1998 and is designed to allow an opportunity for critical reflection on key areas in contemporary missiology.

You can view recordings of some lectures on our Public Lectures Playlist.

2026 – Trevor Hutton: Trinity and Creation: A conversation with Jurgen Moltmann for church planters and missional ecclesiology
2025 – Scott Brennan (Guardian and Monastic): “The Art of Missional Spirituality inspired by the Irish monastic movement.”

2024 – Professor Pete Ward (Durham University), Gospel Songs and a Liquid Church: A theology of Bluegrass Music: Connecting Church and Culture

2023 – Dr Lord Elorm Donkor, National Head of The Church of Pentecost-UK, former Principal of the Birmingham Christian College – Virtuous influence: Towards a Missional Pastoral Theology for the Next Generation of African Diaspora Pentecostals in the UK.”

2022 – Dr Loun Ling Lee, editor of Lausanne Global Analysis, former Training Director of AsiaCMS (Malaysia), and Lecturer in Mission at Redcliffe College – Future of Mission: Strategic Role of Asian Mission in Global Christianity

2021 – 100th Year Anniversary of Emmanuel Bible College: With Davide Cantarella, Tanya Cantarella, Sandro Laifi, David McCulloch, Cosmas Mutowa, Mi Ja Wi – Challenging Mission, Changing Models: A Missional Conversation Led by Practitioners

2020 – Dr Stuart Murray Williams, self-employed trainer, lecturer, consultant and writer, operating under the auspices of the Anabaptist Network – Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land

2019 – Professor Hugh Goddard, University of Edinburgh, Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World – The State of Muslim-Christian Relations

2018 – Rt Revd Graham Cray, former Bishop of Maidstone and Archbishop’s Missioner and Team Leader of Fresh Expressions, author, theologian, and speaker. Church Rediscovered

2017 – Professor Kirsteen Kim, Professor of Theology & World Christianity at Leeds Trinity University – Missio Dei or Missio Spiritus? Reflections on the mission theologies of The Cape Town Commitment (Lausanne Movement, 2011) and Together towards Life (World Council of Churches, 2013)

2016 – Professor Howard Snyder, Visiting Director, Manchester Wesley Research Centre; Former Professor of the History and Theology of Mission, Asbury Theological Seminary – Christian Mission, Creation, and New Creation

2015 – Bishop Laurie Green, Chair Urban Strategy Consultative Group – Mission Upside Down: What if the poor really are the ones who are blessed?

2014 – Dr Philip Lewis, Principal of Bradford Churches for Dialogue and Diversity – A Road Less Travelled: The Challenge to Mainstream Mission and Ministry to Muslims in Britain

2013 – Professor Andrew F. Walls, Professor of History of Missions, Liverpool Hope University – ‘The Song of Moses and the Lamb’: Africa’s first Methodists

2011 – Revd Arlington Trotman, Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe – Meeting Challenge, Embracing Opportunity & the Politics of Fear: New Diverse Communities encounter Historic Christian Expression in 21st Century Europe

2010 – Dr Lalsangkima Pachuau (Asbury Theological Seminary) – Religion, Christianity & Indian Nationalism: The Impact of Nationalist Ethos on Indian Christian Missional Thought in the 20th Century

2009 – Dr Dewi Hughes, Tear Fund Theological Advisor – The Church as Transformed and Transforming Community

2008 – Revd Dr Chris Wright, International Ministries Director, Langham Partnership International – Addressing the North-South Divide in Global Theological Education

2007 – Joel Edwards, General Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance, UK – Respect: a Prescription for Tolerance

2006 – Gustavo Crocker, Eurasia Regional Director, Church of the Nazarene – Towards a New Missiology: Responding Creatively to the Global Changes without Changing the Great Commission

2005 – Bishop Hwa Yung, Bishop of Malaysia, Methodist Church – Does Christian Mission Lack Integrity Today? An Asian Perspective on Key Trends and Issues in 21st Century Christian Missions

2004 – Dr Tony Campolo, Professor of Sociology Emeritus at Eastern University in St. Davids PA USA – Revolution and Response: Post-modernism and Evangelism in a University City

2003 – Dr Makonen Getu, International Programme Director of the Christian Transformation Resource Centre – Micro-enterprise Development: a response to HIV/AIDS in Africa

2002 – Patrick Sookhdeo, Barnabas Trust – Past September 11th: The effects of Islam on Church and Missions in Britain and Overseas

2001 – Dr Chris Partridge, University College, Chester – The Disenchantment and Re-enchantment of the West: Reflections on the Religio-Cultural Context of Contemporary Western Christianity

2000 – Richard Tiplady, Associate Director, Global Connections – From Pillar to Post: Generation X, Modernism and World Mission

1999 – Dr Michael Griffiths, Regents College, Vancouver – British Students Envision World Mission: An Historical Account

1998 – Dr Martin Goldsmith, All Nations Christian College – Pluralism: What is our Attitude to Other Faiths?

Sydney Martin Lecture

An annual lecture in practical and social theology in memory of Revd Dr Sydney Martin

The Revd Dr Sydney Martin, who died at the age of 93 on 2nd August 2004, was one of a generation of evangelical ministers who had a significant influence in the city of Glasgow in the 1950s and 1960s.

Coming to the Sharpe Memorial Church in Parkhead in 1950, he was to serve there for twenty-five years, including among his contemporaries Dr Nelson Gray at Parkhead Congregational Church and Rev. George Duncan at St George’s Tron.

The first decade of his ministry was the era of population movement, when thousands moved out of the east end of the city to the new housing schemes at Barlanark, Easterhouse and Castlemilk, and under Sydney Martin’s leadership, Sharpe Memorial opened a branch church in Barlanark. The 1950s also saw the Billy Graham Kelvin Hall Crusade, and although he would not have regarded himself as primarily an evangelist, Sydney Martin was one of the many city ministers who threw their whole weight behind that very influential crusade.

His passion was preaching and it was rumoured that he spent up to 26 hours per week preparing to preach two sermons every Sunday (about 30 minutes each), plus a Wednesday evening meditation at the church prayer meeting.

He would also be a familiar face in the classrooms of NTC,n providing lectures in Pastoral Theology. In memorial to Dr Martin the library desks were presented to the college and each year a lecture is given to reflect the practical and social theology that was reflected in the ministry of Rev. Dr Sydney Martin.

You can view recordings of some lectures on our Public Lectures Playlist.

MWRC lectures

Each year, we delve into the rich tapestry of Wesleyan studies, exploring new insights and shedding light on the enduring impact of John Wesley’s legacy. Our series features a lineup of eminent speakers who present their latest research, offering fresh perspectives on Methodist history, theology, and its relevance in today’s world. Join us for a journey through the depths of Wesleyan tradition and thought, where history meets innovation, and faith intersects with scholarship.

Click to visit MWRC

NTC Research Seminar

We meet weekly during term time to share and discuss presentations of current research by our PhD students, faculty, and invited scholars. Please reach out to Dr Samuel Hildebrandt for more information and access.

Click here to email Samuel