Drysdale Lectures

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.

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Past Lectures

  • 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?

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

Sydney Martin Lecture
Didsbury Lectures
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