Festival of Preaching: Preaching Truth to Power
Saturday 13th September 2025
Southwark Cathedral, London
Join us for Preaching Truth to Power — a transformative gathering of bold voices, prophetic vision, and Spirit-led conviction. In a time when truth is often silenced and justice delayed, this conference will equip clergy, lay preachers, church leaders, and communicators to preach with courage, clarity, and conviction. Learn from seasoned preachers and thought leaders as we explore how the pulpit can be a platform for justice, truth, and transformative hope.
Stand firm. Speak boldly. Preach truth to power.
Speakers include:
Bishop Mariann Budde, Sam Wells, Mark Oakley, Selina Stone, Isabelle Hamley and David Runcorn
Programme
08:45 Registration
South Transept
09:00 Morning Prayer
Side Chapel
09:30 Festival Eucharist
Preacher: Bishop Mariann Budde
10:30 Registration and tea
South Transept
11:00 First session
Speaking Truth to Power: Sam Wells - followed by discussion with Bishop Mariann Budde
11:45 Second Session
Mark Oakley
12:30 Lunch Break
14:00 Preaching Across the Divide
David Runcorn
14:45 Preaching Truth to Power
Mark Oakley, Isabelle Hamley, Selina Stone, Charlie Bell
15:30 Tea break
16:00 Closing Worship
Our venue
Join us in the glorious surroundings of Southwark Cathedral – a first for the Festival of Preaching. The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie stands at the oldest crossing-point of the River Thames at what was for many centuries the only entrance to the City of London situated across the river. It is well served by public transport and London Bridge tube and railway station are only a few minutes walk. ‘I walked over the fields to Southwark ... and I spent half an hour in Mary Overy’s Church, where are fine monuments of great antiquity, I believe, and has been a fine church.’ Samuel Pepys, 3 July 1663
Please note: we will have sole use of the Cathedral for the entire day.
Refreshments
Tea and coffee served at mid-morning and mid-afternoon: delegates are free to bring own lunch or visit one of the many local catering options.
Live stream
We hope to live stream the day for online broadcast; more details in due course.
Festival bookshop
Church House Bookshop will be on-site all day with speaker and related books – many at a discount. The pop-up bookshop will be located in the North Aisle.
Save the date
A full residential Festival of Preaching will return to Cambridge – 13th – 15th September 2026 – full details will be announced soon. Be first to hear – make sure you join our email alert service.