Conversations about race, culture and identity continue to shape many aspects of modern life, including the life of the Christian church. Yet our desire as a diocese is to not only talk about race, but move towards racial justice, both in our churches and society at large.
As outlined in the Diocese’s Racial Equity Strategy, “theological discourse can contribute to the promotion of racial justice within ecclesial communities”, and it is from this belief that the Re-thinking Race in the Bible Conference was planned.
The conference will take place at St Martins House on 25 and 26 November 2026, creating a safe space to discuss theology and race in our faith and communities. The event is part of the diocese’s ongoing commitment to racial equity, training and development, and seeks to encourage thoughtful engagement with biblical texts and issues of justice.
The two-day event will bring together renowned theologians and biblical practitioners, including Dr Robert Beckford, Dr Rachel Starr, Dr William Ackah, Dr Eleasah P. Louis and Dr Gifford Rhamie. Below is an introduction to the sessions that each speaker will be hosting over the conference.
Dr Robert Beckford
Dr Beckford will focus on the relationship between race, racism and Christian practice. Reflecting on both history and the present day, he will explore why conversations about racial justice continue to matter, as well as the Church’s role in responding to challenges such as racialised nationalism, questions of belonging and wider social division. Drawing connections between Scripture, history and contemporary society, his sessions will help participants think more deeply about how churches can engage issues of race and belonging with confidence, wisdom and practical purpose.
Dr Rachel Starr
Dr Starr will be putting biblical interpretation under the spotlight, challenging how we approach Scripture and the assumptions we bring to the text. Drawing on passages from both the Old and New Testaments, she will explore themes of race, identity and power, encouraging participants to revisit familiar stories from new perspectives.
Dr William Ackah
We will also look at ideas of diaspora and migration in the Bible. Dr Ackah will examine stories of scattered communities throughout Scripture, from the Tower of Babel and the Jewish exile in Babylon, to the spread of the early Church. His sessions will invite participants to consider how biblical narratives of displacement and belonging continue to resonate with contemporary discussions about migration, identity and community.
Dr Eleasah P. Louis
Dr Louis will explore the relationship between nation-building and discipleship, examining how themes found in the Old Testament continue to shape Christian understandings of community, identity and belonging today. Drawing on biblical examples of how people learn to live faithfully together, she will consider how the gospel speaks to ethnocentric discipleship in the Old Testament, Eurocentric Christianity in Black Bible Religions and the Far-right English "Christian" Nationalists.
Dr Gifford Rhamie
Dr Rhamie will challenge participants to think about the lenses through which biblical texts are often read. His work examines how Western ways of understanding, knowledge and reason can shape interpretations of ancient texts, opening conversations about alternative perspectives and richer engagement with Scripture.
The conference is not intended to be simply an academic exercise. The Racial Equity Department has placed a strong emphasis on practical learning and discussion. Alongside keynote presentations, there will be workshops, small group conversations and opportunities for questions and reflection. Speakers have been specifically encouraged to make their sessions interactive and accessible, ensuring that attendees can connect theological ideas with the realities of church and community life.
To support this ongoing learning, every attendee will receive written resources prepared by the conference speakers. These materials are designed to help individuals continue exploring the themes raised during the event and provide practical guidance for local application.
Sophie Holder, the Director of Racial Equity at the Diocese of Leicester, said: "As part of the Racial Equity Strategy, one of our key priorities is to provide learning and development to our clergy/lay to further their education and skills in racial equity. My hope is that this training will be a blessing to our diocesan ministry workers, and that what is learnt here this November, will penetrate the doors and hearts of our church communities.
"The Bible is a book that speaks to us all, and we are eager to show how it represents us all, across lines of race, culture, gender and experience."
At a time when conversations about race can be difficult or divisive, we hope the conference will create an honest and gracious space for dialogue. One of its key aims is to help participants develop confidence in addressing race-related issues within churches, communities and everyday life.
Ultimately, Re-thinking Race in the Bible is an invitation to learn, listen and reflect. Whether participants are clergy seeking resources for inclusion and leadership, lay leaders looking to deepen their understanding, or Christians simply interested in exploring Scripture in new ways, the conference offers an opportunity to engage thoughtfully with important questions facing both Church and society today.
Rethinking Race in the Bible Conference
Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 November, 10am-4pm – St Martins House, Leicester
As part of the Diocese’s ongoing commitment to racial equity, the conference will be the focus of the Bishops’ Study Day on the Wednesday. Whilst clergy/lay attendance is expected on Study Days, we warmly encourage attendance on the Thursday.
Over two days, we will be joined by sector-leading speakers as they explore race and culture from a biblical perspective, engaging participants in practical discussions on how to teach and talk about difference within our churches communities.
See more information and book for free on Eventbrite. Please book each day separately.