News

The Church Resources Exhibition (CRE), the UK's leading event for churches and Christian organisations, has announced the full programmes for its major conference streams taking place at Sandown Park, Esher, on 14-15 October 2026.

In a major expansion of its educational programme, CRE has unveiled two entirely new conferences designed to help churches navigate a rapidly changing ministry landscape.

Bringing together some of the UK's most respected Christian leaders, ministry practitioners, and sector experts, the Church Leaders Conference and Building Resources Conference will explore the opportunities, challenges and innovations shaping the future of the Church in Britain.

Covering everything from leadership, mental health and worship to church growth, sustainability, community engagement and major building projects, the conferences are designed to equip churches with practical solutions, fresh thinking and proven strategies for ministry in the modern age.

A major highlight of the Church Leaders Conference will be a keynote address from renowned evangelist, broadcaster and speaker Canon J.John. The programme will also feature sessions on leadership, worship, mental health, generosity, team building and the journey from vision to impact. A timely panel on Ethnoreligious Nationalism will explore how Church Leaders can engage confidently in public life while navigating growing social division, online influence and questions of national identity.

The Church Leaders Conference will be hosted by Andy Flannagan, Executive Director of Christians in Politics, who will moderate discussions featuring speakers including Patrick Regan OBE, Kathy Spooner, Bejoy Pal, Matt Summerfield, Amy Summerfield, Daniel Jones, Noel Robinson, Dr. Lisa Pal, Dr. Jonathan Chaplin, Les Moir and Nick Spencer.

Meanwhile, the Building Resources Conference will provide church leaders and property teams with practical guidance on maintaining, adapting and future-proofing church buildings. Topics include major redevelopment projects, net-zero initiatives, church heating, fundraising, heritage management, technology infrastructure and creating multi-use church spaces.

Featured speakers include Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, who will deliver a keynote examining the future of church buildings and how churches can balance heritage, innovation and mission in the decades ahead.

Other speakers include specialists from JBKS Architects, the Diocese of London's Net Zero Carbon Programme, Snug Architects, Archangel Ltd, BCHN Architects and MTS Live.

The programme also places a strong emphasis on mission and community engagement, with contributions from Rural Missions and OSCAR exploring how churches can effectively reach local communities, share faith across cultures and respond to changing demographic realities across towns, cities and rural areas.

"Churches today are navigating unprecedented change," said Tony Crinion, Managing Director of Quartz Business Media, organisers of CRE.

"Whether it's growing congregations, supporting community wellbeing, managing complex building projects or responding to cultural challenges, church leaders need access to practical ideas and trusted expertise.

"These two new conferences represent a significant investment by CRE in supporting the UK's churches. We've brought together an outstanding line-up of speakers and practitioners who are not simply talking about these issues, but actively leading change and making a difference. Combined with the exhibition and networking opportunities, CRE 2026 will be an unmissable gathering for anyone involved in church leadership, ministry or stewardship."

Alongside the conferences, visitors will have access to hundreds of suppliers, charities, and service providers, making CRE one of the most comprehensive gatherings of church resources, expertise and inspiration in the UK.

Tickets can be purchased on the CRE website at www.creonline.com. Tickets cost £5 with all proceeds going to charity.