Reposted by James ButlerTARN @tarnetwork.bsky.social · 28/09/2026The next Theological Action Research Training run by TARN takes place on Thursday 12th November from 2.15pm to 8.30pm UK time online. theologyandactionresearch.net/events/theol... 001
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Pleased to have an article in this special issue of practical theology. 010
Reposted by James ButlerChurches Together in England @churchesengland.bsky.social · 15/05/2026OUT NOW: Kingdom Over Nation from @churchesengland.bsky.social A timely new #ecumenical resource inviting Christians to reflect on faithful discipleship, discernment, public witness, and what it means to place the Kingdom of God above every ideology and power. cte.org.uk/kingdom-over... 155
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 14/05/2026At CMS we have a webinar coming up on Monday 18th May with @harveykwiyani.bsky.social exploring the challenges of the multicultural church, how we can overcome them and discover hope. Do sign up and come along. churchmissionsociety.org/blog/events/...churchmissionsociety.orgWebinar: The Future is Multicultural – So What’s the Problem? - Church Mission Society (CMS)Explore the challenges of the multicultural church, how we can overcome them and discover hope too. 000
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 15/04/2026Excited to hear my paper for @practicaltheology.bsky.social has gone live today. It's part of the special issue coming out in a couple of months on Congregational Studies. In the paper I look at how we can embrace a riskier approach to interdisciplinary work. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....tandfonline.comUnbracketing the practical theologian: finding ways to participate in congregational studiesThis paper begins from the experience of some practical theologians at the Congregational Studies Symposium in February 2025. The concern aired by those practical theologians was that talk about Go... 000
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 31/03/2026Really excited to have this released this week. Would love to hear people's reflections on what we have found and how we have presented the work. 010
Reposted by James ButlerSCM Press @scmpress.bsky.social · 13/02/2026Great to see a focus on this book: scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...scmpress.hymnsam.co.ukBeing the People of God Missional Ecclesiology for Uncertain Times by Paul Bradbury, Isabelle Hamley, Andy Smith - Paperback / softback - 9780334066422Buy Being the People of God Missional Ecclesiology for Uncertain Times by Paul Bradbury, Isabelle Hamley, Andy Smith Paperback / softback from SCM Press - ISBN: 9780334066422 011
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 13/02/2026Excited about our upcoming conversation day at CMS looking at the book, Being the People of God. Here's a blog post from Paul Bradbury about it. churchmissionsociety.org/pioneer-blog...churchmissionsociety.orgWhat’s the point of church? - Church Mission Society (CMS)Do we see the church and its ongoing life as “a discerning conversation”, asks Paul Bradbury 010
Reposted by James ButlerTheos @theosthinktank.bsky.social · 15/01/2026What does it mean to be Christian in public life? Don't miss the 'Faith in Public' course by Church Mission Society, equipping churches and Christian leaders to face the big political issues of our time. Find out more here: churchmissionsociety.org/pioneer-blog... 031
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 12/12/2025Want to get hold of the book I wrote with Clare Watkins called "Christian Faith and Christian Learning" about our theological action research project? @tarnetwork.bsky.social We have affordable payback copies here: watkinsandbutler.square.site 011
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 28/11/2025I wrote a blog post reflecting on questions of church and political agendas this week, particularly the use of Christian symbolism in far right protests. churchmissionsociety.org/pioneer-blog...churchmissionsociety.orgChurch, mission, politics and being a Christian nation: corruption, co-option or collaboration? - Church Mission Society (CMS)This week, a BBC article explored Tommy Robinson supporters turning to church. It shines a spotlight on some tricky questions... 020
Reposted by James ButlerEnabling Skills @enablingskills.bsky.social · 03/11/2025Latest enabling skills newsletter, out now. open.substack.com/pub/enabling... 021
Reposted by James ButlerTARN @tarnetwork.bsky.social · 10/10/2025The next training takes place on 20th November. A participatory and conversational introduction to engaging in theological action research. More info and sign up here: theologyandactionresearch.net/events/theol... 011
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 06/10/2025We have trained over 1000 people at CMS over the last 15 years. Nice to see it feature in Christianity Today news. www.christiantoday.com/news/church-...christiantoday.comChurch Mission Society marks milestone as 1,000th student joins pioneer mission trainingThe Church Mission Society (CMS) has welcomed its 1,000th student onto the Pioneer Mission Training programme, marking a major milestone 15 years after the initiative first began with just nine partic... 020
Reposted by James ButlerTARN @tarnetwork.bsky.social · 06/10/2025Our latest newsletter is out including details of our upcoming training days, news of a new theological action research field guide, and how to get hold of Clare' and James' book at a much more reasonable price. mailchi.mp/2803b673db94...mailchi.mpTARN News: October 2025 021
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 20/08/2025Really please that this book is out in the world. Do see the details in the @tarnetwork.bsky.social thread of how to get hold of this book in paper back at an affordable price. 030
Reposted by James ButlerDave Walker @davewalker.bsky.social · 10/07/2025New drawing: Hire bike Notes on this cartoon: open.substack.com/pub/diagramc... 171093331
Reposted by James ButlerEnabling Skills @enablingskills.bsky.social · 11/06/2025Latest news letter available here: open.substack.com/pub/enabling... 011
Reposted by James ButlerTARN @tarnetwork.bsky.social · 16/05/2025TARN Colloquium - Book now! Taking Stock and Moving Forward: Gathering – Discerning – Learning St John’s College, Durham Thursday 11th September to Friday 12th September 2:00 pm on Thursday – 3:30 pm on Friday theologyandactionresearch.net/tarn-colloqu...theologyandactionresearch.netTARN ColloquiumTheological Action ResearchTaking Stock and Moving Forward: Gathering – Discerning – Learning St John’s College, DurhamThursday 11th September to Friday 12th September2:00 pm on Thursday R… 011
Reposted by James ButlerTim Howles @timhowles.bsky.social · 09/05/20251. There are various lessons that can be learned from the mindless criminality of the Sycamore Gap tree tragedy. But one that has been overlooked is its subtle indexing to toxic masculinity. There are many clues within the case that point to this. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...theguardian.comTwo men found guilty of ‘mindless, moronic’ felling of Sycamore Gap treeDaniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, found to have criminally damaged tree and Hadrian’s Wall 914045
Reposted by James ButlerJames Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 02/05/2025Looking forward to being part of the Mission in the Neighbourhood webinar conversation on 13th May. Do come and join the conversation. More details churchmissionsociety.org/blog/events/... 041
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 02/05/2025Looking forward to being part of the Mission in the Neighbourhood webinar conversation on 13th May. Do come and join the conversation. More details churchmissionsociety.org/blog/events/... 041
Reposted by James ButlerChurches Together in England @churchesengland.bsky.social · 28/04/2025🚨 Closes on 30 April - still time to enter! CTE MA Mission Prize 2025 Have you or one of your students completed an MA in #mission, #evangelism, #churchplanting in the last year? cte.org.uk/mission/coor... £ prize + opportunity to be published in Ecclesial Futures from Radboud University Press 004
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 23/04/2025Are you doing creative and innovative things in your church or local community? Are you exploring new ways of being and doing church? Are you involved in mission in new and exciting ways? Check out our open days and see how we can support what you're doing. churchmissionsociety.org/pioneer/stud...churchmissionsociety.orgOpen days - Church Mission Society (CMS)Join us in person or online to ask your questions face to face. Meet staff and fellow students in our unique pioneer learning community. 010
Reposted by James ButlerTARN @tarnetwork.bsky.social · 17/04/2025We have opened bookings onto our next TARN training on the 4th and 5th June taking place on Zoom. Particularly timed to suit those living to the east of the UK. Run by Dr Helen Cameron and @drjamesb.bsky.social it offers a conversational and participator intro to theological action research. 121
Reposted by James ButlerEnabling Skills @enablingskills.bsky.social · 01/04/2025Our latest Substack newsletter has hit inboxes. In it we highlight an enabling resource from Avec, a podcast from @theosthinktank.bsky.social and @chinemcdonald.bsky.social, an article from T4CG and a resource from @alisonrwebster.bsky.social. Explore here: open.substack.com/pub/enabling... 022
Reposted by James ButlerQuakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 28/03/2025🚨 Outrage as 20 police officers break into Westminster Quaker Meeting House and arrest six. 🚨 This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️ 👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...quaker.org.ukQuakers condemn police raid on Westminster Meeting HousePolice broke into a Quaker Meeting House last night (27 March) and arrested six young people holding a meeting over concerns for the climate and Gaza. 13620511472
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 27/03/2025If you completed an MA dissertation engaging with themes of mission and related areas, why not enter this prize. 011
Reposted by James ButlerEnabling Skills @enablingskills.bsky.social · 03/03/2025Our March newsletter is available on Substack. open.substack.com/pub/enabling...open.substack.comNewsletter 7 - March 2025This month, habits, women in ordained ministry, and treasure troves of enabling resources. 021
Reposted by James ButlerTARN @tarnetwork.bsky.social · 21/01/2025The next TARN seminar is on Thursday 20th February 2025, 11.30 - 13.00 (GMT). Helen Cameron and Jane Day presenting on Project Violet. Register to attend here: forms.gle/drJsgTvSziWy... @practicaltheology.bsky.social @biaptheology.bsky.social 033
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 21/01/2025well done @harveykwiyani.bsky.social - looking forward to this 011
Reposted by James ButlerChurches Together in England @churchesengland.bsky.social · 10/01/2025The Churches Together in England MA prize in Mission 2025 is open Have you or one of your students completed an MA around #mission, #evangelism or #churchplanting in the last 12 months? cte.org.uk/mamissionpri... Winner will get £100 cash prize and the opportunity to be published. Closes 30 April 011
Reposted by James ButlerLindsey Morgan-Lundie @lindseyml.bsky.social · 09/01/2025A great day in Durham for our MA graduation but it was freezing! Thank you #CMS @drjamesb.bsky.social @cathyross.bsky.social @harveykwiyani.bsky.social @jonnybaker.bsky.social 172
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 04/12/2024Really please to have a chapter in this book. In it I develop the starting points of an ecclesiology of pioneer/fresh expressions starting from the spirituality of a number of missional communities. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the book too, which includes chapters from CMS colleagues. 0202
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 03/12/2024I'm involved in putting together this Substack with the intention of drawing together an informal network of those involved in enabling roles around mission, ministry and discipleship. Do sign up if you're interested. open.substack.com/pub/enabling...open.substack.comNewsletter 4 - December 2024Being non-directive, engaging with the local community and a whole bunch of useful tools in this months edition. 021
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 26/11/2024Today was the MA dissertation class at CMS. Really good to hear how students are getting on at the early stages of research. So many interesting topics - intercultural worship, 2nd Gen African diaspora experience, music, creativity in pioneering and more - excited to see what they discover. 030
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 20/11/2024I'm looking forward to running the first TARN training of the academic year, helping people to get a taste of the practice of theological action research. Still time to sign up if you're interested - starts at 2.15pm GMT - estore.roehampton.ac.uk/conferences-...estore.roehampton.ac.ukTheological Action Research Training Day - 20 November 2024 | Roehampton University Online StoreThe training is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to embark on your own theological action research project.   The da 111
Reposted by James ButlerAlexander Chow @alexanderchow.bsky.social · 19/11/2024📢Studies in World Christianity—the premier scholarly journal in #WorldChristianity —has a #NoPayWall promotion from @edinburghup.bsky.social! It coincides with #sblaar24, but open to everyone! ☑️Check out the journal: euppublishing.com/loi/swc ☑️Recommend to library: euppublishing.com/action/recom... 01310
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 19/11/2024I've enjoyed talking about how research brings change with our CMS students today. I'm surprised how little I can find about how change is theorised in action research literature. I'm also thinking about where to turn for where change is theologised. Any recommendations anyone? 140