We live in a time in which opinions are not in short supply. Almost everyone seems frustrated – or angry – with something or someone. Mental health struggles proliferate. And social media seems to amplify it all. Christians are left confused, feeling marginalised and unsure how to speak meaningfully about their faith in Jesus. Understanding the world around us – and learning to engage it with wisdom and winsome confidence – is a vital skill for every church leader and anyone wanting to engage with those who don’t yet know Jesus.

In these two sessions, Peter Dray will help us make sense of where we are and how we can respond.

Session 1 – Understanding Our Cultural Moment: We’ll explore some of the defining characteristics of our present time – the invisible waters we all swim in, which are shaping the hopes, dreams and imaginations of those in our communities. And we’ll grapple with one of the key communication challenges it creates: how do we speak to people whose assumptions are not only very different from our own – but also highly polarised?

Session 2 – Speaking for Christ, Wisely and Winsomely: Rather than simply declaring truth into a vacuum, how can we communicate in ways that create genuine interest and open doors? How can we take people’s hopes and desires seriously without accommodating the gospel to them? And how much should this shape our witness, in word and deed?

Peter Dray worked in student ministry for over two decades in a range of roles with UCCF, the university Christian Union movement in Great Britain. Peter is interim Lead Pastor at Redeemer Church, Leeds and he continues to advise churches and ministries in areas relating to youth and young adult culture, and how the gospel and culture relate to each other.

Outline for the morning:

09:30 – Meet, tea/coffee

10:00 – Session 1 (including discussion)

11:00 – Coffee break

11:30 – Session 2 (including discussion)

12:30 – Lunch