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James Butler

@drjamesb.bsky.social
262 followers 273 following 25 posts

Researching faith and learning using theological action research approach. Teaching in mission and ecclesiology. Working with pioneers and mission practitioners.

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Reposted by James Butler
TARN @tarnetwork.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The 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...
Theological Action Research Training

These sessions are aimed at doctoral students and researchers and are designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to embark on your own theological action research project.  The training happens twice a year and with varied timings to enable international participation.  
Price: £40 doctoral students, £55 waged researchers 
(An early bird discount of £5 available)

Thursday 12th November 2026 
(2.15pm to 8.30pm UK time)

The training is run by Dr Helen Cameron, Director of Research at Regent’s Park College, Oxford and Dr James Butler, Pioneer Mission Training Lead at the Church Mission Society, Oxford, and 
Dr Stefanie Conradt, Research Officer of the Susanna Wesley Foundation, University of Roehampton.
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Pleased to have an article in this special issue of practical theology.
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Reposted by James Butler
Churches Together in England @churchesengland.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
OUT 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...
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
At 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.org
Webinar: 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.
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Excited 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.com
Unbracketing the practical theologian: finding ways to participate in congregational studies
This 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...
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Really 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.
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Reposted by James Butler
SCM Press @scmpress.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Great to see a focus on this book: scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/978033...
scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk
Being the People of God Missional Ecclesiology for Uncertain Times by Paul Bradbury, Isabelle Hamley, Andy Smith - Paperback / softback - 9780334066422
Buy Being the People of God Missional Ecclesiology for Uncertain Times by Paul Bradbury, Isabelle Hamley, Andy Smith Paperback / softback from SCM Press - ISBN: 9780334066422
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Excited 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.org
What’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
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Reposted by James Butler
Theos @theosthinktank.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
What 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...
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Want 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
Christian Faith and Christian Learning Book Cover
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
I 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.org
Church, 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...
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Reposted by James Butler
Enabling Skills @enablingskills.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Latest enabling skills newsletter, out now. open.substack.com/pub/enabling...
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Reposted by James Butler
TARN @tarnetwork.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
The 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...
Theological Action Research Training

These sessions are aimed at doctoral students and researchers and are designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to embark on your own theological action research project.  The training happens twice a year and with varied timings to enable international participation.  
Price: £40 doctoral students, £55 waged researchers 
(An early bird discount of £5 available)

Thursday 20th November 2025 
(2.15pm to 8.30pm UK time)

The training will be facilitated by Dr Helen Cameron, Research Fellow of the Centre for Baptist Studies at Regent’s Park College, Oxford and Dr James Butler, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Roehampton and MA lecturer at the Church Mission Society, Oxford.

Booking available here:   
https://theologyandactionresearch.net/events/theological-action-research-training/
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
We 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.com
Church Mission Society marks milestone as 1,000th student joins pioneer mission training
The 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...
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Reposted by James Butler
TARN @tarnetwork.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
Our 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.mp
TARN News: October 2025
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
Really 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.
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Reposted by James Butler
Dave Walker @davewalker.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
New drawing: Hire bike Notes on this cartoon: open.substack.com/pub/diagramc...
Cartoon showing street scene with lots of cars, some of which are on or blocking pavements. One bike is also parked on a pavement. A couple are saying ‘Look - someone’s left a hire bike on the pavement’.
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Enabling Skills @enablingskills.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
Latest news letter available here: open.substack.com/pub/enabling...
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Reposted by James Butler
TARN @tarnetwork.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
TARN 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.net
TARN Colloquium
Theological Action ResearchTaking Stock and Moving Forward: Gathering – Discerning – Learning St John’s College, DurhamThursday 11th September to Friday 12th September2:00 pm on Thursday &#82…
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Reposted by James Butler
Tim Howles @timhowles.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
1. 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.com
Two men found guilty of ‘mindless, moronic’ felling of Sycamore Gap tree
Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, found to have criminally damaged tree and Hadrian’s Wall
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Reposted by James Butler
James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Looking 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/...
Flyer for webinar. All details repeated on link in post.
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Looking 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/...
Flyer for webinar. All details repeated on link in post.
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Reposted by James Butler
Churches 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
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Are 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.org
Open 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.
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Reposted by James Butler
TARN @tarnetwork.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
We 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.
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Enabling Skills @enablingskills.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Our 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...
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Reposted by James Butler
Quakers 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.uk
Quakers condemn police raid on Westminster Meeting House
Police 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.
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
If you completed an MA dissertation engaging with themes of mission and related areas, why not enter this prize.
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Enabling Skills @enablingskills.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Our March newsletter is available on Substack. open.substack.com/pub/enabling...
open.substack.com
Newsletter 7 - March 2025
This month, habits, women in ordained ministry, and treasure troves of enabling resources.
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
Enabling Skills, now on Bluesky!
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Reposted by James Butler
TARN @tarnetwork.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
The 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
TARN Seminar
In partnership with Roehampton Practical Theology Seminars (PTS)
Thursday 20th February 2025, 11.30am-1pm (GMT)
Online – Zoom
Just knowing: How do we create knowledge that does justice to marginalized voices?
Revd. Jane Day and Dr Helen Cameron, Regent’s Park College, Oxford

Reflecting on the Project Violet Research Project

More info and register your interest here:
https://theologyandactionresearch.net/events/tarn-seminar-thursday-22nd-february-2024-online/
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
well done @harveykwiyani.bsky.social - looking forward to this
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Churches Together in England @churchesengland.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
The 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
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Lindsey Morgan-Lundie @lindseyml.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
A 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
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Really 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.
Cover of the book New Churches: A theology, edited by Will Foulger and Joshua Cockayne.
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
I'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.com
Newsletter 4 - December 2024
Being non-directive, engaging with the local community and a whole bunch of useful tools in this months edition.
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Today 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.
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
I'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.uk
Theological Action Research Training Day - 20 November 2024 | Roehampton University Online Store
The training is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to embark on your own theological action research project.   The da
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Great thread
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Reposted by James Butler
Alexander 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...
Free access to Studies in World Christianity (issues 2005—present) until December 31st, 2024. Visit https://euppublishing.com/swc
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James Butler @drjamesb.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
I'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?
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