Luther King Theological College

Why not welcome in the Summer with some events held by Luther King and our friends?

Here's out event roundup, where you can explore all sorts of theological gatherings and learn something new with our radical, justice-seeking community.

Visit our website for more, or head to our linktree at https://linktr.ee/lutherkingmanchester to secure your place on one of these events today!

Is there anything upcoming that you're particularly excited for?

🎉 More brilliant news – our team never cease to amaze us!

One of our academic tutors, Catriona Gorton, is delighted to share that she will be serving as a part-time minister at Didsbury Baptist Church from September, with an induction service taking place on Sunday 6th September! Friend of Luther King Revd Dr Ruth Gouldbourne will be present to preach her in, and Revd Jane Henderson, an NBC alumnus, will conduct the service on behalf of NWBA

Catriona will be serving bi-vocationally for Luther King Theological College and Didsbury Baptist Church, and we feel so proud and lucky to be able to share this news with you 😊

As we get closer to our Baptist History and Principles weekend, we thought we'd talk about one example of Baptist Activism: the story of Sam Sharpe and the Baptist Rebellion of 1831.

If you're interested in learning more, why not join us on 11-12 July for our weekend exploring Baptist History at https://buytickets.at/lutherkingtheologicalcollege/2098766

Book Launch alert! 👀

Our lovely tutor Liz is holding a book launch to celebrate the publication of "May She Speak in the Name of the Gospel". The launch is free for all, and you can attend in-person at the University of Chester or online!

Listen to Liz as she introduces the book, and gain insights from Professors Hannah Bacon and Lisa Isherwood in what we're sure will be an exciting evening of celebration and theological reflection.

To secure your place, scan the QR code or visit the eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1988080690864?aff=oddtdtcreator

We hope to see you there to support Liz!

There's still time to book onto our Baptist History & Principles Weekend!

Explore the development of Baptist faith in a historic Baptist College (in its 160th year!) this Summer, and enjoy the nature that surrounds us while reflecting on how Baptist History impacts the principles you live by today.

To book, head to this link: https://buytickets.at/lutherkingtheologicalcollege/2098766

We recently held our Safer Sacred Spaces training weekend at Luther King 🌱

Our staff and students reflected on how they and their church communities can create safer and healthier spaced before. They covered boundaries, reflective practice, self-awareness and wellbeing throughout what was a delightfully meditative weekend.

We thought we'd share some photos of the group, along with our EM1 and AALP students!

We are both excited and inevitably a little sad to share the news that this summer Noel Irwin will be moving on from Luther King after being called to serve as Minister in the Oldham and Tameside Missional Partnership of the United Reformed Church.

Of course we will be sad to lose Noel after 13 years of being so deeply committed first to Hartley Victoria College, then Northern College, and our wider Luther King community, and of course especially to the training of Church-related and other Community Workers.

Noel writes:
"I want to complete the circle and finish my ministry in doing what I was originally called to do which is to work with local churches and I'm genuinely excited to do that."

We wish Noel and his family every blessing in his new ministry.

We will be continuing to deliver all the Community Development programmes and modules Noel has worked so hard to establish and resource at Luther King Theological College, and everyone will continue to be fully supported both in the studies and their placement and formational journeys.

Thank you, Noel!

Over a decade ago, Dr Liz Shercliff (a member of our academic team) established a conference for women. Back then, it happened once a year. May this year saw the first of four conferences in 2026. It took place at St Pancras church in London, with almost 100 participants. Once again, as last year, we were welcomed by the Bishop of London - and acting Bishop this time, since the previous one has gone on to be Archbishop of Canterbury. As well as Liz speaking, Selina Stone, Karen O'Donnell and Lucy Winkett also addressed the conference.

A similar event will take place here at Luther King Theological College on Saturday 24th October 2026, where our speakers will be Mary Kells, Grace, Thomas, Gill Shaw, Kate Bruce, and Liz, so please save the date!

This week, we held our annual barbecue to celebrate this academic year and all our wonderful students. It was great to see so many smiling faces (despite the weather)!

Are you at the in Harrogate this weekend? Come and pay us a visit! Thank you to the Baptist Union for the chance to exhibit this year. If you're interested in learning about our work, how we foster radical theology and inclusive Baptist ministry, say hello to Catriona and learn more 💡