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What to expect
Lectures & Workshops
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Summer School Format

If you’ve been in previous years, you might notice some changes this time.

Tuesday Dinner | 9 July

We’re beginning on Tuesday evening with a special dinner at Rhodes House.  This will be a great time to meet the OCCA team and one another, to settle into Oxford and prepare ourselves for the week ahead.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday | 10 – 12 July

For three days we will meet at St Ebbes Church for our Summer School.   This will be an intense time of learning and training, where we find intellectual stimulation and spiritual encouragement.

Each day, we’ll have worship and morning devotions, followed by a variety of lectures, workshops, discussion groups, and Q&A sessions. A detailed schedule will be shared closer to the time, as plans are being put together over the month of April.

Saturday | 13 July

On Saturday we are opening up the event into a Day Conference at the University Examination Schools.  We will be inviting people from all over, including the local churches, to join us for a day of training and encouragement.

Further Enquiries

If you need any additional information, please email us events@theocca.org.

Each day’s lectures and workshops are focused around a theme:

  • Wednesday: How can I know?
  • Thursday: Who am I?
  • Friday: What should I do?

Tuesday we’ll be gather together for dinner at Rhodes House, and Saturday will be a larger conference day.

Wednesday – Friday, the group will be together for lectures, then you’ll have the opportunity to select 2 workshops each day to go deeper in an area you’re interested in.  Explore the list below and start getting excited about a week of learning at the OCCA Summer School 2024.

Saturday is our Confident Faith Conference.  Signing up for our Summer School includes a ticket to this exciting day.

Wednesday – Friday Lectures & Workshops

Lecture: Setting the Scene

  • 5 Things our Culture Believes about Knowledge – Alanzo Paul

Interactive Session

  • Knowing in Culture – Tom Price & Sara Stevenson

Lecture: A Christian Response

  • Rebuilding Trust in a time of Uncertainty – John Lennox

Lecture: Setting the Scene

  • 5 Promises of Disney about Who You Are – Charlie Styles

Interactive Session

  • Identity: Internal/External – Sara Stevenson & Tom Price

Lecture: Setting the Scene

  • 5 Moral Questions of Our Time – Max Jeganathan

Interactive Session

  • Issues to Consider – Sara Stevenson & Tom Price

Lecture: A Christian Response

  • Engaging with the World in a Time of Unrest – Sam Allberry
  • Why Trust the Bible?
  • Leading Someone to Christ
  • Don’t All Religions Lead to God?
  • Doubt, Certainty and Truth
  • Business, Work & Meaning
  • Giving a Talk, Two Parts
  • Women and Bible
  • The Hiddenness of God
  • Suffering & War
  • Sharing Faith Despite Apathy & Disinterest
  • Hope for Gen Z
  • AI & Transhumanism
  • Sexuality & Identity
  • How to be a Digital Christian.
  • Can We Trust the Church?
  • Juggernaut of Judgement or Gentle Jesus: Are there two Gods in the Bible?
  • God and Science
  • How to Answer Questions
  • Race Justice and the Image of God
  • The Problem of Fragility
  • Gender & Identity
  • Was Jesus a Real Person?
  • Slavery & the Bible

Cost 

We’re aware that it can be expensive to spend a week in Oxford and so we work hard to keep the cost down. The OCCA Dinner, lunches and refreshments are included, but delegates will need to find their own accommodation and evening meals.

The ticket price this year is: £625 (£200 less than last year), which includes a ticket to the Day Conference on Saturday.

We want this conference to be available to anyone. If the cost is barrier for you, please get in touch about a bursary.

Accommodations

Summer School attendees will need to  source their own accommodation. Below are some options that you may find helpful.

Accommodation Options – 2024

Locations

Tuesday: Rhodes House for dinner | S Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3RG

Wednesday – Friday: St. Ebbes Church | Penny Farthing Pl, Oxford OX1 1QF

Saturday: University Examination Schools | 75 – 81 High St, Oxford OX1 4BG

 

OCCA Summer School 2024 Speakers

More speakers announced soon…

Photo of Alanzo Paul
Alanzo Paul
Alanzo's work focuses on addressing metaphysical and existential questions. He has a degree in Theology from the University of Oxford, and a Masters in Theological Studies from the University of Toronto.
Photo of Ben Thomas
Ben Thomas
Ben qualified as a Doctor in 2003, working full-time in the hospital setting with the exception of one year where he pursued training in Theology and Apologetics at the OCCA and the University of Oxford. In 2016, he obtained a Consultant post in Neurosciences Intensive Care Medicine and Anaesthesia, but now works part-time alongside his role at the OCCA. Ben has particular interests in the intersection of Christian faith and sexuality, gender, medical ethics and psychology. He has spoken numerous times to young people and adults in churches, conferences and mission events across the UK & in Australia. In his attempts to work out what it looks like to follow Jesus well, he is also a keen runner (Forrest Gump style!), musician and cook and loves spending time with family, friends and God-children.
Photo of Charlie Styles
Charlie Styles
Charlie is the executive director of OCCA. He loves teaching the Bible and is never happier than when helping people grasp life-changing spiritual truth for the first time.
Photo of Clare Williams
Clare Williams
Clare's work focuses on questions of race, justice and culture, and what the Christian message has to offer these contested issues. She studied English Language and Literature at Oxford University, and has Masters degrees in Leadership, Culture, Diaspora and Ethnicity.
Photo of John Lennox
John Lennox
John is Chaplain and Speaker at OCCA. He is Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University (emeritus) and speaks on the interface of science, philosophy and religion.
Photo of Lara Buchanan
Lara Buchanan
Lara has a specific interest in studying the impact of Jesus’ life and teachings on the flourishing of individuals as well as communities. She holds qualifications in History, English Literature, Education, Apologetics and Theology.
Photo of Max Baker-Hytch
Max Baker-Hytch
Max is Academic Consultant & Tutor at OCCA. He has a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Oxford. Max's academic research focuses on the philosophical arguments for and against theism, divine hiddenness, and the historical credibility of the New Testament.
Photo of Sam Allberry
Sam Allberry
Sam is a senior fellow at OCCA and a pastor, apologist, author and speaker. He writes extensively on issues relating to identity, sexuality, and faith.
Photo of Sara Stevenson
Sara Stevenson
Sara is passionate about exploring questions raised by Philosophy of Religion and Ethics. She has an MSc in Philosophy of Science and Religion from the University of Edinburgh, and an Education Degree in Religious Studies.
Photo of Sharon Dirckx
Sharon Dirckx
Sharon is particularly interested in questions of meaning, purpose and identity and how they relate to Christian belief. She holds a PhD in brain imaging from the University of Cambridge.
Photo of Tom Price
Tom Price
Tom is passionate about philosophy and theology. He has an MA in Christian Apologetics, and is currently working on his doctorate in Theology, Philosophy and Film.
Summer School 2024 Registration

Join others from around the world at the OCCA Summer School 2024

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at events@theocca.org 

 

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