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Podcast: Does the future have a Church? The 2024 Theos Annual Lecture

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13 December 2024

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On the podcast this week, a panel of experts discuss the question: Does the future have a Church? 

In an increasingly unstable and dark world, will people return to or at least reconsider belief, or are we continuing to hear the ‘melancholy, long, withdrawing roar’ of faith? 

The discussion was recorded in London on 26 November at the 2024 Theos Annual Lecture.

The panelists were:

  • Daisy Scalchi, Head of Religion and Ethics, BBC Television 
  • Justin Brierley, broadcaster, author, and speaker  
  • Madeleine Davies, senior writer for the Church Times 
  • Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England 
  • Mary Harrington, writer and author of Feminism Against Progress

The discussion was chaired by Nick Spencer, Senior Fellow at Theos. The director of Theos, Chine McDonald, introduced and closed the event.

theosthinktank.co.uk

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13 - 15 September 2026

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This year, the Church Times is also delighted to sponsor two events: 

National Cathedrals Conference  Bristol, 18 to 21 May 2026

An event aimed at developing cathedrals as important places of prayer, inspiration, education, challenge, and debate. Find out more at nationalcathedralsconference.org

Public Faith Common Good  a day symposium at St John’s College Cambridge, Tuesday 21 July 2026

Speakers to include the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Williams; the Bishop of Chelmsford, Dr Guli Francis-Deqhani, Nick Spencer, and Anna Rowlands.

This event is free, but booking is required. Find out more at elydatabase.org/events

 

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