How should the gospel shape how the church gathers?

A Sovereign Grace Music conference about worship — for the whole church.

GATHERED: THE GOSPEL AND THE CHURCH

Tuesday 13th October 2026

Hosted by Sovereign Grace Music, with Bob & Devon Kauflin

How should the gospel shape our gathered worship?

Join us in Bristol for Gathered: The Gospel and the Church, a one-day conference exploring the biblical convictions that shape our worship together — from the hearts of those who worship, to the proclamation of God's word, the songs we sing, and the witness of the gathered church to the world.

Through bible teaching, singing and time together, we want to think more deeply about why we gather, what we do when we gather, and how the gospel should shape it all.

Gathered is a conference about worship for the whole church — not just those who lead it.

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WHO IS IT FOR?

This conference is for every Christian.

You don't need to be a pastor, worship leader or musician to come. Every Christian is a worshipper, and every Christian is part of a church that gathers to worship God together.

Whether you preach, lead, play, sing, serve behind the scenes, or simply take your place among God's gathered people week by week, we hope this day will deepen your understanding of gathered worship, strengthen your love for the local church, and help you participate more thoughtfully and wholeheartedly when the church comes together.

Pastors, worship leaders and musicians will find plenty here to help them in the way they serve — but Gathered is deliberately for the whole church.

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WHAT TO EXPECT

The day will combine biblical teaching with plenty of opportunity to sing together and put into practice the things we're considering. Across three daytime sessions we'll think about the heart of the worshipper, the gospel we proclaim and the songs we sing.

After a dinner break, we'll gather again for a special Evening Celebration, considering the witness of the gathered church to the world.

You are warmly invited to come for the whole day, attend the daytime conference only, or join us just for the evening.

The Evening Celebration will stand on its own, so if you haven't been able to join us during the day, you won't be arriving halfway through something.

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PROGRAMME

Day Conference

9:30–11:00am | Session 1 - The Heart of the Worshipper

What does God desire from us as we gather? What should characterise our hearts as we come together? And how does the gospel shape the way we worship God alongside his people?

Before we think about songs, structures or what happens at the front, we begin with the worshipper.

11:00–11:30am | Morning break

11:30am–1:00pm | Session 2 - The Gospel We Proclaim

The gospel belongs at the heart of our gathered worship.

We'll consider how God's Word and the good news of Jesus should shape everything we do together.

1:00–2:30pm | Lunch break

2:30–4:00pm | Session 3 - The Songs We Sing

Why does the church sing? What should we sing? And what is happening when a room full of Christians lift their voices together?

We'll consider how our songs help us praise God, proclaim truth, respond to the gospel and teach and encourage one another as the church sings together.

4:00–7:30pm | Dinner break

Evening Celebration

7:30–9:15pm | Our Witness to the World

Whether you've been with us throughout the day or are joining us for the first time in the evening, you are very welcome.

We'll gather to sing, hear God's Word and consider how the life and worship of the church bears witness to Christ before a watching world.

The Evening Celebration is designed as both a fitting conclusion to the conference day and a gathering that can be enjoyed in its own right. You do not need to have attended any of the daytime sessions to come.

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WHEN AND WHERE

Tuesday 13th October 2026 at Headley Park Church, Bristol, UK

Day Conference: 9:30am–4:00pm

Evening Celebration: 7:30–9:15pm

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AROUND THE CONFERENCE

If you're able to spend a little longer with us in Bristol, there will also be an opportunity to gather on the Wednesday morning:

Wednesday 14th October | Pastors, Leaders & Music Ministry Morning

On Wednesday morning there will be an additional session with Bob and Devon for pastors and church leaders, together with men and women who are involved in serving their churches musically.

Through teaching and discussion, we’ll think together about faithful service in the gathered church: the responsibility pastors carry for the church’s music, the role of those who serve musically, and how those responsibilities can work together for the good of the whole church.

There will also be opportunity to talk about some of the particular needs, challenges and opportunities facing churches in the UK and Europe, and to consider how Sovereign Grace Churches and Sovereign Grace Music might be able to serve churches here.

Whether you’re a pastor who isn’t especially musical, or someone regularly involved in choosing songs, organising teams, playing or singing,

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