Last month, Gillian Straine (GoHealth CEO) travelled to Durham University to attend the Scientists in Congregations conference—an inspiring gathering alongside Prof David Wilkinson and the brilliant ECLAS team (Equipping Christian Leaders in an Age of Science). The conference was to celebrate the projects that Scientists in Congregations had funded, and to find out the new projects for the year ahead.
The conference echoed with stories of creative intersection: churches partnering with scientists in their communities, developing conversation hubs, integrating ecology and theology in preaching, and exploring mental health through Christian gatherings. It was a vivid testament to how science isn’t just informative—it’s transformational when embraced as part of the church’s mission.
Presenting Spiritual Intelligence in Action
We were privileged to present our Spiritual Intelligence course: “Wise Living in an Age of Disconnection,” which was funded by ECLAS. This course, offered as six weekly 2-hour sessions for church groups from September to November 2025, is completely free and designed to foster deep, embodied wisdom in our fast-paced world.
The course invites participants to explore how faith, science, and human experience come together.
Across six lively sessions, we journey through:
- the wisdom of the early Christian tradition
- insights from contemporary theology and neuroscience
- simple, practical tools for prayer, attention, movement, and imagination
Already, over 50 churches have signed up for our Spiritual Intelligence course, eager to explore how faith can nurture meaningful connection in a fractured world.
Why It Matters
There’s something vitally important—and profoundly Gospel—about bringing science into the life of the Church. Far from undermining faith, it strengthens our witness:
- It shows that intelligence is a gift, not a threat.
- It helps us understand God’s handiwork more deeply—in both creation and new knowledge.
- It equips us to live wisely at the intersection of real-world challenges, compassion, and calling.
And when churches engage both their minds and hearts, it doesn’t just renew their communities—it renews the Church’s mission of Jesus in the world.
Want to Join In?
If this vision stirs you—if you sense that now is the time to explore how spiritual depth and scientific insight can re-form faith communities—you’re invited to join us.
Thank you to Prof David Wilkinson and the entire ECLAS team for your vision and generous support, and for gathering communities around the fruitful encounter of science, faith, and spiritual transformation.
Here’s to growing together—wisdom, hope, and connection alive in every congregation.