Rooted in a global network of Christian scholars, KLC seeks to integrate faith and vocation through interdisciplinary, missional public theology. Its projects aim to glorify God, disciple the church, and serve the world by applying biblical wisdom to societal issues.
At the heart of KLC’s mission is public theology, which involves engaging the public domain (culture, politics, economics, etc.) with the gospel’s redemptive vision. Drawing on the biblical narrative—creation, fall, redemption and consummation—KLC encourages scholars to live as “salt and light,” transforming culture rather than retreating from it. Public theology is not merely academic; it is ethical and practical, requiring integrity, humility and Christlike character. It resists both the privatisation and reductive politicisation of faith, advocating instead for a missional presence in every sphere of life.
As a result, KLC’s projects aim at embodying the following ideals:
Diversity: The multi-membered body is a Christian distinctive that can set our research apart from that of the academy. We embrace differences of thought, theology and culture, seeing them as enriching our collective understanding. Rather than enforcing uniformity, KLC promotes unity in the gospel while inviting creative approaches that network our individual differences into a collective strength.
Community: Our fellows’ hubs are spaces where ideas can be shared, tested and eventually developed into formal projects. These hubs provide a relational and collaborative environment that counters the relational isolation and disciplinary siloing that is often found in academia. Our wider community of scholars offers the potential for consultation and sharing of expertise across disciplines.
Collaboration: Inspired by historical examples like the Clapham Sect, which combined diverse talents to abolish slavery and promote social reform, KLC encourages scholars to work together across disciplines. Every project represents a cluster of tasks and requirements that can involve a wider team, and if we are creative and alert to possibilities, even simple projects may spark ideas that members with different gifts and opportunities can develop in unexpected ways.
Impact: KLC believes that research can be—and should aim to be—deeply missional and practical. We encourage our projects always to have a clearly articulated problem they aim to address, a vision for change, and a description of the impact they hope to have. While outcomes are ultimately in God’s hands, intentionality and clarity are vital. KLC staff support this process by helping refine proposals and ensure they are well-founded and feasible.
KLC’s projects invite our fellows and our wider community to live out their faith in public, collaborating generously, and pursuing work that is rigorous and spiritually transformative. KLC aims to foster a community of Christian scholars who bring hope, wisdom and renewal to the world.
