A Modern Church Retreat

Thursday April 23rd 2026 4pm – Saturday April 25th 2026 after lunch
Holland House, Worcestershire

Save the Date – booking details to follow

Why do so many of us disqualify ourselves from ‘being theologians’? Is it the Church, the academy, or both, that prevent us from embracing the truth that Christians are all already theologians, by virtue of our baptism? If we set aside the notion that ‘theology’ is an impenetrable activity undertaken by church professionals or academics, designed merely to service the church, what might emerge? What if theology is simply the activity by which we talk to and of God? A way in which we bring our experience of the world into dialogue with the faith tradition we both inherit and can change? what then? What new and exciting directions might there be for our spiritual development?

Join us for a couple of days of honest and open discussion, creative worship and reflection. Be part of a process where there are no ‘silly questions’ and of a space in which we support one another to reflect on our relationship to prayer, scripture, the history of our churches and their teachings. Explore what ‘doing theology’ can mean; how the diverse and vast Christian tradition can be transformed from ‘restricted access’ to ‘open all areas’, to plunder and enjoy!

Our team of facilitators encompass a range of practical theological specialisms and will include:

Elaine Graham is Chair of Modern Church, Professor Emerita of Practical theology at the University of Chester, and Fellow of the British Academy

Helen Stanton is Warden of Holland House and former Anglican Tutor in Ethics, Doctrine and Spirituality at the Queen’s Foundation

Simon Sutcliffe is Free Church Chaplain at Keele University, currently researching the development of theological literacy amongst lay adults. Simon’s current research interests lie at the intersection of Feminist New Materialism and theologies of masculinity

Alison Webster is General Secretary of Modern Church and a writer and thinker on themes of mission theology and social justice, identity and Community Organising