Labs
What
Labs are interactive sessions from Wildfires contributors delving deeper into how we can take the wild fire of the Holy Spirit back to our homes, communities and nations. Wildfires Labs are a great opportunity to learn and grow with others from all around the world, whilst receiving valuable teaching and input from outstanding contributors.
Who
Each Lab will include contributors, but they’ll only be delivering part of the content. It’s up to you to bring your voice, thoughts and ideas too!
How
Labs happen each afternoon of Wildfires in venues across the site. More information about what labs is available below.
The Big Top
Rebuilding the Church in the Midst of a Chaotic World
Mark Sayers
Tuesday 31st May 2.30-3.30pm
For much of recent history, individuals and institutions could plan, execute, and flourish with their visions of a better world. Volatile, complex forces could be addressed and confronted with planning and management. But crisis is a great revealer. It knocks us off our thrones. It uncovers the weaknesses in our strategies and brings to light our myths and idols. Our past strategies run aground, smashed by unpredictable and chaotic waves. Yet, in the midst of the chaos of a crisis comes opportunity. The history of the Church tells us that crisis always precedes renewal and the framework of renewal offers us new ways forward.
The Word Makes Dead Things Alive
Stephen Chandler
Tuesday 31st May 4-5pm
Come and learn how Pastor Stephen can help you tap into the power of the Word, and receive the resurrecting power of Christ: today is the day you run out of the grave.
Rebuilding the Church in the Midst of a Chaotic World
Mark Sayers (Repeat Lab)
Wednesday 1st June 2.30-3.30pm
For much of recent history, individuals and institutions could plan, execute, and flourish with their visions of a better world. Volatile, complex forces could be addressed and confronted with planning and management. But crisis is a great revealer. It knocks us off our thrones. It uncovers the weaknesses in our strategies and brings to light our myths and idols. Our past strategies run aground, smashed by unpredictable and chaotic waves. Yet, in the midst of the chaos of a crisis comes opportunity. The history of the Church tells us that crisis always precedes renewal and the framework of renewal offers us new ways forward.
Search Me and Know Me: The Power of Confession to Birth Revival
Tyler Staton
Wednesday 1st June 4-5pm
Confession and repentance have grown increasingly privatised and unpracticed in the modern, Western church. But what if confession isn’t a white flag but a victory cry? And what if repentance is not an admission of defeat but a weapon of the Spirit? Confession, the simple, humble act of coming just as we are before God and one another, is not a primitive, religious trope but the very spark that lights revival.
Ignite
The Power of the Prophetic
John Scott
Tuesday 31st May 2.30-3.30pm
Prophecy is potent. It opens up individuals, communities and cities to the purposes of God. We’ll look at the power of prophecy, partnering with the prophetic and how we process prophetic words.
Formation For Mission
Jay Pathak
Tuesday 31st May 4-5pm
The world is increasingly suspicious of image-conscious Christian leaders. Our witness is dependent upon authentic transformation. Yet, we want to be approachable. Let’s talk about this tension and the real hope we can give the watching world.
Parenting Panel
Leah Chillengwe/ Krish Kandiah/ Ellie Gardner/ Sarah Cole
Wednesday 1st June 2.30-3.30pm
Parenting children well is one of life’s greatest joys and toughest challenges. How do we parent with consistency, intentionality, compassion and faith? Join Becky Drake and a panel of parents and professionals as they share their struggles and successes; worries and wisdom.
Building a Creative Worshipping Culture
Gas Street Music and Jonathan and Melissa Helser
Wednesday 1st June 4-5pm
We long to see the Church in the UK find its voice again. How can we release a holy wildness in our worship? How can we build a culture of creativity, risk, humility and love in our teams? Join the Gas Street Music team, alongside Jonathan and Melissa Helser to hear more.
Blaze
Pentecost Promise: The Spirit Poured Out on All Flesh
Dr Jasper Knecht
Tuesday 31st May 2.30-3.30pm
Dr Jasper Knecht will be speaking on the Old Testament background to Pentecost and how we understand the prophecy that the Spirit will be poured out afresh on all flesh as was fulfilled at the post-ascension Pentecost festival. He’ll be exploring the promises of God to young and old, men and women, rich and poor, in the pouring out of the Spirit and unpacking what that means for us today.
Pentecost Presence: The Presence and Power of the Spirit in the World
Dr Lucy Peppiatt
Tuesday 31st May 4-5pm
Dr Lucy Peppiatt will be following on from Jasper’s talk by looking at how Pentecost has changed our experience of God in the world today. She’ll be exploring what it looks like to see the Spirit moving in the world; how we understand God’s presence and His power; and how that takes us deeper into the nature and heart of God.
Justice: A Kingdom Vision
Pete Portal
Wednesday 1st June 2.30-3.30pm
Justice is a popular word in today’s public debate, but what does it mean when viewed from the perspective of the kingdom of God? How might followers of Jesus engage with the world of ‘call out’ culture when Jesus’ kingdom has a ‘call in’ culture at its heart? Come and grapple with these questions and, rather than looking at what is wrong with our world, be inspired to ask what is missing. As we do, we’ll discover what unique contribution each of us could be called to make.
Sex Talk
Emma Waring
Wednesday 1st June 4-5pm
Join Rachel Hughes as she interviews Emma Waring about how to
create a good sexual relationship throughout marriage and how to
deal with sexual problems that are common, but are rarely discussed.
Fire Starters
Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools
Tyler Staton
Tuesday 31st May 2.30-3.30pm
The early Church was orientated around a daily prayer rhythm. But when the Church gained popularity, she lost a taste for prayer and her saltiness. To experience the Spirit’s power, we must return to faithful prayer.
Reaching a Missing Generation
Rachel Gardner
Tuesday 31st May 4-5pm
In 2020, most churches in the UK saw a decline in under 18s participating. Covid-19 increased this. Is youth ministry dying? Or will we be theologically creative and innovative, pioneering new models to reach a missing generation?
AI and the Future of Humanity
Professor John Wyatt
Wednesday 1st June 2:30-3:30pm
In a world being transformed by intelligent machines, what does it mean to be human? What kind of world are we building? How can we be faithful to Christ in the brave new world forming?
Radical Hospitality: Why Helping Refugees Will Change the Church Forever
Krish Kandiah
Wednesday 1st June 4-5pm
How can you and your church play your part in unleashing a wave
of revolutionary hospitality that will change you both forever? Krish
Kandiah brings his vast experience to equip you to make a difference.
General Camping
From Conversation to Action: Racial Justice and the Church
Liz Muir and Hannah Bowring
Tuesday 31st May 2.30-3.30pm
Justice is a reflection of God’s character and a work we’re all called to. How can we ensure our churches are places of racial justice, going beyond words?
What Does it Mean to be Human?
Peter Lynas & Damilola Mikande
Tuesday 31st May 4-5pm
This is arguably the most important and contested question in our culture today. We’re constantly confronted with questions about refugees, assisted suicide, racial justice, abortion, sexuality and the fractious discussion over trans and women’s rights. In this session, Damilola and Peter will introduce the Being Human lens: looking at what it means to be a human grounded in the biblical story and how this new apologetic might reform our cultural engagement.
From Conversation to Action: Climate Justice and the Church
Jack Wakefield and Hannah Bowring
Wednesday 1st June 2:30-3:30pm
The world is waking up to the climate crisis, increasing forced migration, conflict and inequality. What’s our role? How do we take action and bring hope as the Church?
Being Human: Exploring Sexuality, Sex and Gender
Peter Lynas and Damilola Mikande
Wednesday 1st June 4-5pm
Why have sex, sexuality and gender become so linked to our sense
of identity? We’ll use the Being Human lens to explore the cultural
and biblical narratives around these topics, creating space for
discipleship and missional conversations.
The Chapel
Grief is relentless, but so is hope
Zoe and Andy Clark – Coates
Wednesday 1st June 2.30-3.30pm
‘Grief is relentless, but so is Hope’, explores the journey of loss and grief, and how this transforms each one of us, but also how ‘Hope’ can exist in the darkest of situations.
Be More Pope!
Simon Benham
Wednesday 1st June 4-5pm
Simon had the privilege of spending time with Pope Francis which
challenged his leadership; his role in building God’s kingdom; and
what contending for unity means. Come and hear some reflections
and how we can apply them.