Details of our spring 2026 workshops are now available on our website, www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events. Booking for these workshops will open on 6th October - make a note of the date and remember to book your place!

We have some great workshops coming up in the autumn - preaching the psalms (20 Sep), preaching Matthew's Gospel (3 Nov), preaching the Christmas story (15 Nov) & preaching the women of the gospels (17 Nov). Details & links to book available at www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events.

Only one day left to book a place on our workshop, 'Preaching the Jesus of John's Gospel'. Don't miss out! Visit www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events for details.

Looking forward to the 2 workshops we have coming up in July: Sermon-crafting (for those new to preaching) and Preaching the Jesus of John's Gospel. For more information and to book, visit our events page, www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events.

Early-bird pricing for our preachers' conference, 'The Wonder of Words', ends Saturday - don't miss out! We've got great speakers & workshop leaders: Margaret Cooling, @paulkerensa.bsky.social , @gracerethomas.bsky.social, and more! More info & booking at www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events.

How can we, as preachers, use words most effectively? How can we communicate well in different contexts? Join us for our preachers' conference, 9-11 September, as we explore these & other questions and the Wonder of Words. For details, visit www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events.

Looking forward to our workshop this Saturday, 'interpreting texts for preaching'. Today is the last chance to book - don't miss it! For more details & booking info, visit www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events.

The sun is shining, the air is warm, and our summer workshops are just around the corner! Our next workshop, 'Interpreting texts for preaching' is on 10th May - this is the last week to book your place! Check out our events page for further details & link to book: www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events

Today is Maundy Thursday. Today we remember that Jesus showed his love for his disciples through an act of humble service when he washed their feet. Thank you to preachers of all denominations for the service that you give the Church through your preaching ministry.

Our next workshop, 'Interpreting texts for preaching', will be taking place on 10th May. Booking now open. For details and link to book, visit www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events.

In all the busy-ness of preparing for Holy Week & Easter, it's important for preachers to make space just to be with God, and to let God speak to you in order that you might speak God's word to God's people.

Preachers deal in words - to teach, exhort, comfort, inspire. But how often do we use words in new or different ways? Or find new words to share our message? Our preachers' conference offers preachers a chance to explore the wonder of words. Further details at www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events.

Just finished a great workshop with John Woods on preaching & apologetics. Details of our future workshops can be found at www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events.

Last chance to book for our upcoming workshop 'Preaching & Apologetics.' Booking closes today at 6pm. For details, visit www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events.

Information about our summer schedule of preaching workshops now available on our website, www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events. Booking for our preachers' conference also now open!

Our next preaching workshop is happening soon! We'll explore the relationship between preaching & apologetics - how sermons can model effective communication & equip Christians to speak confidently about their faith. Join us on 22 Mar. For more info/to book visit www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events

Booking is now open for our preachers' conference, The Wonder of Words, happening in September. Network with other preachers, hear great speakers, & take part in workshops that will help you get the most from your words! For more details & link to book, visit www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events.

Booking is now open for our preachers' conference, 'The Wonder of Words', taking place in September. Very excited about this conference & its fantastic line-up of speakers/workshop leaders.

Wishing everyone a very happy Epiphany!

Hear again the message of the angel, "Unto you is born a Saviour...Glory to God and on earth, peace, goodwill." Wishing all a blessed Christmas!

As we near the end of Advent, it is worth remembering that those we've remembered in this season - patriarchs, prophets, John the Baptist & Mary - waited on God but their waiting was active, not passive. They prayed & acted & kept ready to respond when God called.

On the fourth Sunday in Advent, we remember Mary, mother of Jesus. She accepted God's call even though it brought risk and challenge. We pray for the courage to accept God's call to us, with all it brings.

The narratives from scripture that we read & hear through Advent remind us that the Christian story is rooted in a particular time and place in history, but is for everyone for all time.

Charles Wesley's popular Advent hymn, 'Come Thou Long Expected Jesus' contains several Advent themes and is another rich source for sermon material.

Advent is a season of penitence, when we acknowledge our mistakes and weaknesses and ask for God's forgiveness and grace. But it is also a season of joy, as we recognise God's goodness and love for all creation.

Peace is a theme often associated with Advent and Christmas. Peace is more than just the absence of conflict (as desirable as that is). Peace is also being at ease and trusting in God's goodness.

Some denominations are today celebrating the feast of Lazarus of Bethany (whom Jesus raised from the dead). The story of Lazarus reminds us that in Advent we prepare not only for the celebration of Jesus' birth, but also for his return - the Great Resurrection.

As we continue to move towards Christmas, it can be helpful to think about how the story of God's relationship with the world unfolds through scripture, and how we can use the structure of story telling in our preaching.

On this third Sunday of Advent, we remember John the Baptist, who carried on the tradition of the prophets. John boldly spoke truth to power and called people back into relationship with God, preparing the way of the Lord. He remains a model for the Church to follow.

What does it mean for Christ to dwell in our hearts? How does that change how we relate to others - the ones close to us, those in need, people on the edges of society, the other creatures with whom we share our world, the earth itself, and God?

As we make preparations for Christmas at home & at church (like putting up decorations), are we also taking time to prepare our hearts to welcome the Saviour?

We are halfway through Advent - a good time to reflect on the things for which we are grateful, and the ways in which we might become a blessing to others.

How often do we base our sermons on the hymns we sing? The Advent hymn 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel', based on the ancient O Antiphons, offers a rich variety of images for Advent sermons that explore who Jesus is.

Advent is a time of watching and waiting. We watch for evidence of God's kingdom among us even as we wait for its full coming.

Jesus told his disciples to stay awake and to keep alert. We, too, should be awake & alert watching for the signs of God's Kingdom around us.

On the second Sunday of Advent we remember the Prophets. Preachers, too, can be prophets - speaking God's word to God's people and helping us to see both hard truths and hope.

It's important to take time in the busy-ness of this season to pause, just be, and wait on God.

Today churches in the western tradition celebrate the feast of St Nicholas - or Santa Claus, as many today know him. The example he set in charity & gift giving is still a model for us today and reflected in the traditions associated with his feast day & Christmas.

Several themes are associated with the season of Advent: Patriarchs, Prophets, Mary, John the Baptist; Death, Judgement, Heaven, Hell; Love, Joy, Peace, Hope; Being alert, watching & waiting, Acceptance, Preparation. Any/all can be a rich resource for Advent sermons.

Advent is a season in the Church's year that encourages us to look at the road ahead that leads to the coming kingdom of God, while also looking back to the times of hopeful expectation experienced by God's people waiting for the Messiah's first coming.

This season of waiting is a gift the Church can offer the world, modelling the joy of anticipation and fruitful waiting.

Advent is a season of hope & expectation & promise. As preachers, we can help others find the light of hope while facing the darkness in our world.

It's Advent Sunday! We'll be posting a thought for preachers each day in Advent. Today, we remember the patriarchs and appreciate all who have gone before & laid the foundations for our own faith.

A question for preachers - what do you think is the ideal length for a sermon? And should all pulpits have a sermon timer like this one does?

Well, we've had the last of our workshops for 2024 - but our 2025 workshops are just around the corner! We have a great programme beginning in January! Check it out at www.collegeofpreachers.co.uk/events

The College of Preachers is now on Bluesky! Follow us for thoughts on preaching and information about preaching workshops & events.