Reimagining the Church in Mission with Sam Wells

Join us for a unique opportunity to spend the day with one of the most influential public theologians working today.  Sam Wells will present on topics that are core to the transformation of Church and its engagement with the world.  Drawing from his extensive publications, he will speak to: reconfiguring the church’s approach to mission, re-narrating the gospel, genuinely incarnational approaches to mission and ministry, and reshaping faith sharing.

Sam argues that society's preoccupation with limitation has led to isolation, and that the church has been overly focused on working for rather than being with.  He will propose a vision for mission rooted in presence and connection, illustrating this with insights from his book, "A Nazareth Manifesto."

In articulating Christology, Sam presents God's eternal purpose to be with us in Christ as conceived before the foundation of the world.  This perspective, detailed in his book Constructing an Incarnational Theology, recaptures the incarnation as the embodiment of God's purpose yesterday, today, and forever.

Sam will explore the significance of the eight dimensions of Being With for pastoral care and discipleship, emphasizing Augustine’s notion of enjoyment and the importance of relating to others as ends rather than means.  His book Incarnational Ministry provides further reading on this topic.

Finally, Sam will describe the content and method behind the Being With course, which translates theological convictions into the practice of sharing faith and enabling people to discover their identity and relationship with God. For more on this, see his book Being With: A Course Exploring Christian Faith and Life.

Rev Dr Sam Wells has been Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square, London, since 2012, and is also Visiting Professor of Christian Ethics at King’s College London. With 27 years of experience as a parish priest, including 10 years in urban priority areas and 7 years as Dean of Duke University Chapel in North Carolina, Sam brings a wealth of knowledge and insight. He has published 47 books, with his most recent being "Constructing an Incarnational Theology" (Cambridge UP: 2025).

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Sam Wells and engage with his profound and inspiring vision for the church and its mission.

This is a free event. Morning tea will be provided. BYO Lunch (or quick walk to Merivale cafes, shops and mall)