Rev Dave Tomlinson in Conversation

Rev Dave Tomlinson, familiar to millions from his Pause for Thought broadcasts on the Radio 2 breakfast show, discusses his life and faith at a special evening in Kettering.At a time when the world is crying out for spiritual leadership, why do so many of us feel organised religion no longer has a role to play in our lives? Dave has been considering this question for over 40 years.His podcast, The Holy Shed and books - including ‘The Post-Evangelical’ and ‘How to be a Bad Christian and a Better Human Being’ - have been as inspirational and thought-provoking to his listeners and readers as they have been provocative to the Church of England hierarchy.Dave has considered spirituality and what it means to live well in the 21st Century from all sides.

A parish priest in the Church of England for 19 years (2000-2019), he started his career in the Evangelical house church movement of the 1970s before going on to start Holy Joe’s —a pub church for people disillusioned with mainstream religion.Dave has long been looking to reframe how Christianity is viewed by the wider population - and, in turn, how the Church views those who currently feel excluded."It puzzles me that people sometimes try to judge whether I am a proper Christian by asking if I believe in things like the virgin birth or the authority of the Bible," he says. "Why don't they ask me how I treat my wife? Or what I spend my money on, or what I'm doing about injustice in the world?"We are delighted that Dave is coming to Kettering Arts Centre at St Andrew’s Church to discuss his remarkable life and career as part of our new True Stories season, with regular host Duncan Steer.There will be a chance to ask your own questions.