Congregational Studies Symposium 2025

Westcott’s Director of Practical Theology and Mission, Revd Dr Julian Gotobed, was one of the co-convenors of last week’s Congregational Studies Symposium 2025. Forty scholars and ministry practitioners from the UK, US, and Germany convened together last week to participate in this joint initiative of Westcott House, Cambridge and Regent’s Park College, Oxford.

One aim of the symposium was to generate a forward agenda in congregational studies over the next ten years and several pressing themes and aspirations for the future were identified.

Fruitful conversations were cultivated by five keynote speakers: Helen Cameron, Nancy Ammerman, Korie Little Edwards, Mark Cartledge and Andrew Root on a diverse range of topics which included assessments of congregational studies in the UK and USA in changing religious environments 2005 – 2025; the limits and opportunities confronting religious leaders pursuing racial justice; identifying different types of theology in Pentecostal congregations; and an assessment of the pressures upon congregations to pursue growth by uncritically appropriating false aspirations informed by flawed concepts.

Papers emerging from the symposium will appear in the journal Practical Theology in early 2026.