Slow Wisdom: New discernment resources for Baptists

Too often churches end up arguing about teacups rather than discerning the mission of God together at the Church Meeting. Slow wisdom is a fresh take on how Baptists can discern well together in the local church. On Tuesday 18 February 2025 at 5pm, a new training resource for churches based on academic research will be launched at the Centre for Baptist Studies at Regent’s Park College, Oxford. Baptist minister, Rev’d Dr Ruth Moriarty conducted the practical theology research with four Baptist churches on discernment as her doctoral thesis at the University of Chester, this in depth work produced a new language for discernment : slow wisdom and identified practical ways to change the practice of the Church Meeting. The book is available via the Baptist Union or on Amazon. From this research, Ruth has also designed a series of five videos produced by Fuelcast to lead ministers and churches through how to discern well, the biblical and theological basis for discernment and how to increase participation and belonging at the Church Meeting. The videos are free and will be available on the Centre for Baptist Studies and Baptist Union youtube account. The launch begins with a drinks reception, presentation and panel discussion including: Rev Dr Andy Goodliff and Dr Helen Cameron from Regent’s Park College, Rev Wale Hudson Roberts (Baptist Justice Enabler) and Dr Dawn Llewellyn (University of Chester). Ruth said: ‘My hope is that God will use this research to help the church in prayer, listening to each other and hearing the Spirit speak prophetically among his people leading us into mission’.