Faith in Public: Political Theology for Mission
Faith in Public: Political Theology for Mission
Photo:
Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Location: Manchester residential and online
Date: 21 and 28 April, 19 May; Residential 7 to 9 May 2026
Making sense of Christian faith in public life is challenging.
Join us and tackle the big questions of how individuals, churches, organisations and communities can navigate living faith in public in 21st century Britain.
What does faithful Christian witness look like in today’s public square? In this course we will explore together how to navigate complex social issues, engage diverse perspectives and witness to Christ with both conviction and compassion as individuals, churches and Christian communities.
We’ll dig into Scripture, theology, and actual Christian practice to grow in faithful public engagement – learning to truly hear others, navigate power dynamics with wisdom, pursue justice in ways that work on the ground and act with integrity when the stakes are high.
Why we need ‘faith in public’
Faith in Public course: contributors
Grace Thomas is the Canon Missioner at Manchester Cathedral and the Diocesan Environment Officer for Manchester Diocese.
Ian Rutherford is City Centre Minister at Methodist Central Hall Manchester and his current priorities in Greater Manchester are housing and homelessness.
Dominic Budhi-Thornton is a public theologian who explores the connection between faith and practice, particularly in relation to marginalised communities and issues of justice.
James Butler leads CMS Pioneer Training in Oxford with an interest in questions of mission, church and justice.
Faith in Public course outline
| Online Session 1 Tuesday 21 April 2026, 7.30pm – 8.45pm | Listening: the foundations of mission and politics Dr James Butler from Church Mission Society (CMS) |
| Online Session 2 Tuesday 28 April 2026, 7.30pm – 8.45pm | Power, Participation and Politics Jane Perry from Church Action on Poverty (CAP) |
| Residential – Manchester 7 to 9 May 2026 | |
| Thursday 7 May Morning (11am) | Welcome, introduction and theological framing of the residential |
| Afternoon | Visit – Manchester Cathedral as a place of Public Witness The Very Rev Rogers Govender and Rev Canon Grace Thomas (Manchester Cathedral) |
| Evening | Free time |
| Friday 8 May Morning | What makes Christian witness Public? An exploration of the biblical and theological foundations for understanding the aims and forms of Christian public witness in the post-secular age. Dr Dominic Budhi-Thornton |
| Afternoon | Justice walk around Manchester’s civic centre Exploring sites of significance in Manchester’s radical history and their connection to faith. Rev Ian Rutherford (Methodist Church) |
| Evening | Christians in Public Service: Panel Discussion Hosted by Rev Ian Rutherford – panellists tbc |
| Saturday 9 May Morning | Bearing witness to Jesus in public as churches and Christian groups Dr James Butler Being witnesses in today’s fragmented political environment Panel – tbc |
| Afternoon | Being witnesses Closing worship and evaluation |
| Online Session 3 Tuesday 19 May 2026, 7.30pm – 8.45pm | Practical tools for living faith in public Dr James Butler |
Take part
Registration closes 27 March 2026. Book now as spaces are limited.
This is an accredited common awards module at level 7 and can count towards a postgrad qualification at CMS or any Common Awards accredited body.
Residential dates: 7 to 9 May 2026. Accommodation and teaching at Luther King House. Day visits to central Manchester.
Online sessions on 21 and 28 April and 19 May, 7.15pm to 8.45pm.
Cost: £500
To register: email helen.harwood@churchmissionsociety.org or
