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.
Formation for Mission – Jay Pathak
Tuesday 31st May 4-5pm
Renewing the Church in the Midst of a Chaotic World – Mark Sayers
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
Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools: Recovering a Monastic Prayer Rhythm for the Sake of Awakening – Tyler Staton
Tuesday 31st May 2.30-3.30pm
The early Church ordered their communal life around a daily prayer rhythm for the first three hundred years after Pentecost. When the Church gained popularity and power in the 4th century, she lost a taste for prayer and, subsequently, lost her saltiness. If we are to recover the power of the Spirit we see in the book of Acts, it must be fuelled by the fidelity of prayer.
Reaching a Missing Generation – Rachel Gardner
Tuesday 31st May 4-5pm
Decades of secularisation and cultural change in the UK has weakened youth engagement with the Church and undermined our confidence in reaching young people. At the beginning of 2020, most churches in the UK were on a declining trajectory when it came to the participation of children and young people. Tragically, this has only been increased by COVID-19. So is that it? Are we to be the church who oversees the death of youth ministry? What if this moment of ground zero could present us with the most theologically creative and radically innovative time for youth ministry as we choose to pioneer new models to reach and release a missing generation?
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.
Radical Hospitality: Why Helping Refugees Will Change the Church Forever – Krish Kandiah
Wednesday 1st June 4-5pm
An unprecedented number of churches, households, businesses and community groups have offered help and support to refugees from Ukraine.
How can you and your church play your part in unleashing a wave of revolutionary hospitality that will change you both forever?
In this fast moving and practical seminar, Dr Krish Kandiah will bring his wide range experience as a refugee advocate, government advisor, foster carer and social entrepreneur to help you make a difference in the lives of vulnerable people in your community.
Fire Starters
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. In this session, we’ll look at the power of prophecy , partnering with the prophetic and how we process prophetic words.
Be More Pope! – Simon Benham
Tuesday 31st May 4-5pm
Earlier this year, Simon Benham was part of a group of 25 Protestant pastors who were privileged to have a two hour audience with Pope Francis. It was a profound experience which has challenged Simon deeply in terms of how he leads; how he plays his part in building God’s kingdom; and what it means to contend for unity. Come and hear some of Simon’s reflections as we explore how we can apply them in our own lives.
Sex Talk – Emma Waring
Wednesday 1st June 4-5pm
Join Rachel Hughes as she interviews Emma Waring, a Sex and Relationships therapist and author of Seasons of Sex and Intimacy.. They’ll be talking about how to create a good sexual relationship throughout marriage and how to deal with sexual problems that are common between married couples, but are rarely discussed
General Camping
Tearfund
Tuesday 31st May 2.30-3.30pm
TBC
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.
Tearfund
Wednesday 1st June 2.30-3.30pm
TBC
Being Human: Exploring Sexuality, Sex and Gender – Peter Lynas and Damilola Mikande
Wednesday 1st June 4-5pm
Our cultural moment is consumed with questions of sexuality, sex and gender. Why have these questions become so important and so linked to our sense of identity and meaning as human beings? In this session Damilola and Peter will use the Being Human lens to explore the cultural and biblical narratives around sexuality, sex and gender, creating space for discipleship and missional conversations.
The Chapel
Grief is relentless, but so is Hope – Zoe and Andy Clarke – Coates
Wednesday 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.