To invite Brian to speak,
To invite Brian to speak, please contact laci.scott@gmail.com
This email address is for booking purposes only. If you have a question or comment for Brian, please direct those to info@brianmclaren.net.
Brian is making some changes to the criteria he uses to determine which speaking requests he is able to accept. Please read through these new criteria before contacting Laci.
Comments and Questions
If you would like to post a question or offer a comment about one of Brian's books, please click here. If possible, please keep your questions brief, and we will select a few to answer each month. See FAQ for previous responses.
Presentations
Here are several popular presentations that Brian is available to give in one or more 30-45-minute sessions (followed by Q & A whenever possible). They are loosely organized under Brian's major book titles:
Everything Must Change
Everything Must Change 1-2 sessions
Provides an overview of the four crises and presents Jesus' "gospel of the kingdom" as an alternative framing story.
Which Jesus? 1 to 2 sessions
Explores various understandings of Jesus and situates Jesus in his original historical context.
Christians and War 1 session
Gives an overview of Christian views of war across history, and uses war memorials in Washington DC to explore American attitudes towards war.
A Revolution of Hope 1 session
Explores how social change happens, and how Christians today can be agents of lasting social change.
A Whole-Hearted Gospel 1 session
This presentation is based on the famous passage in Micah which calls us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. It is an effective introduction to the relationship between social justice, relief and compassion work, and authentic spirituality.
Finding Our Way Again
Christianity as Way and Practice 1- 2 sessions
This presentation explores the idea of becoming "apprentices of Jesus." It presents Christian faith as a way of life and disciple-making as a focal point for mission and ministry, and explores ways that individual and communal practices transform individuals and communities.
The Three-Fold Way 1 or 3 sessions
The monastic traditions of both the Western and Eastern churches have this in common: a three-fold way of spiritual formation. In either one or three sessions (the longer format allowing for extensive experiential practice), the presentation explores the via purgativa (katharsis), the via illuminative (fotosis), and the via unitiva (theosis). Especially helpful for those seeking to experience and lead others in deep spiritual formation.
Public Worship as Spiritual Formation 1 - 2 sessions
This presentation explores such concepts as "ancient-future worship," the meaning of ritual, liturgy as group spiritual formation, and leadership as exposure to "masters of practice," to help leaders plan and lead public worship more effectively - with the goal of authentic spiritual formation in mind. (With more sessions, more experiential practice can be incorporated.)
Stages of Faith Development 1 - 2 sessions
This presentation offers a four-stage faith-development process that integrates the work of several leading theorists. It is especially useful for people seeking to understand their own spiritual growth and struggles - and for those seeking to help others, including pastors, Christian educators, youth workers, and spiritual directors.
A New Kind of Christian trilogy
Onramp to the Postmodern Conversation 1 to 3 sessions
This presentation, which has been given in many settings around the world, gives historical, philosophical, and theological background to the concepts of paradigm shift and postmodern transition - in a fast-paced, understandable, and highly visual way. 2 or 3 session recommended, with plenty of time for Q & A.
Beyond Absolutism, Pluralism, and Relativism 2 to 3 sessions
Many people use terms like "absolute truth" and "objective knowledge" without understanding the social, historical, philosophical story behind them. This presentation explores positive ways to talk about Christian truth-claims, morality, and values in our current context - by understanding why secular and religious people think the way they do.
Five Theological Turnings 2-5 sessions
Many people think of "emerging church" as a matter of superficial style and form. But in reality, five profound - and sometimes disturbing - questions are being raised in the emergent conversation: What is the Theology? Is a Theory of Atonement the Center of the Gospel? How does the Bible function in a Post-Foundationalist Context? What is Christian Hope - both Within and Beyond History (Eschatology)? What Kind of God Do We Believe In? These questions are explored in ways that are accessible to both theologians and lay leaders - and are intended to stimulate honest and thoughtful dialogue, not argument.
The Story We Find Ourselves In 1 to 7 sessions
Whether in a one-session overview or in a seven-session in-depth engagement, this presentation offers an introduction to a narrative reading of the Bible based on a seven-episode telling of the Biblical story.
A Generous Orthodoxy
A Tale of Two Gospels 1 session
This message contrasts what Dallas Willard has called "the gospel of sin management" with "the gospel of the kingdom." It presents a missional understanding of the gospel that has far-reaching transformative power for our churches and for individual Christians.
The Seven Jesuses I have Known 1 - 2 sessions
This presentation, based on A Generous Orthodoxy, gives a positive overview of the ways in which seven traditions in the Christian faith seek to honor and follow Jesus.
Miscellaneous
What to Do With the Bible Other Than Study or Preach It 1 -3 sessions
This presentation explains and offers practice in a number of pre-modern methods of engaging the Bible: lectio divina, ignatian reading, and contemplative reflection.
Six Kinds of Prayer 2 -6 sessions
Depending on the amount of practice desired, this series can give a brief introduction or deep engagement with six kinds of prayer: intercession, petition, lament, contemplation, adoration, and thanksgiving.
Global Mission in the Postmodern, Postcolonial World 2 sessions
As a former mission agency board chair, as a grandson of pioneer African missionaries, and as someone who travels extensively and works closely with missionaries and missiologists, Brian has a unique perspective on the history of missions and the challenges facing global mission today. This session integrates his own thinking with that of Lesslie Newbigin, David Bosch, and others.
More Ready Than You Realize: Evangelism in the Emerging Culture1-4 sessions
This presentation, based on one of Brian's most popular books, uses a real-life email conversation to help people understand the questions, objections, fears, and needs of people in the emerging culture. This is one of Brian's most popular presentations.