Call for Papers – EPTA/HLT 2026 Conference
The European Pentecostal Theological Association (EPTA) and the Norwegian School of Leadership and Theology (HLT) invite proposals for papers to be presented at their joint 2026 conference.
The conference venue will be at HLT in Oslo, Norway, and will also be partly accessible online for those unable to attend in person. The conference will take place from Friday morning 24 April to Saturday evening 25 April 2026. In addition, we plan to arrange a prayer and worship night on Thursday night, as well as the opportunity to attend a church service on Sunday morning. Participants are therefore encouraged to plan their travel from Thursday April 23 to Sunday April 26. Further details will be made available at www.eptaweb.org and www.hltkonferansen.no
Conference Theme:
Biblical Narratives and Visionary Leadership in Times of Change
The conference theme explores how biblical narratives can serve as a foundational source for visionary leadership in turbulent times. Particular emphasis will be placed on how the Book of Acts provides resources for leadership and inspiration for envisioning a Spirit-filled church in practice.
We welcome contributions that:
- Engage with the broader biblical narrative in relation to visionary leadership
- Explore the role of Scripture in shaping indirect leadership practices that empower others to read the Bible and follow Jesus in times of uncertainty
- Investigate indirect or participatory models of leadership rooted in biblical principles
- Offer historical, systematic theological, philosophical, or interdisciplinary perspectives on how and why the Bible can function as a source of narrative and visionary leadership.
Submission Guidelines:
Proposals should be 300–500 words in length and include:
- Title of the proposed paper
- Author’s name, institutional affiliation, and email address
- Abstract or summary of the argument
Presentations should be planned for 30–40-minute slots (including 10 minutes Q&A). Preference will be given to presentations in person. Proposals should be sent to: papers@hlt.no
Deadline for submission: 31 December 2025
Notification of acceptance will be sent by 31 January 2026. Please note that having a paper proposal accepted is not a guarantee for obtaining a tourist visa to Norway (if needed). Participants are encouraged to submit their completed papers for consideration in the Journal of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity and/or Scandinavian Journal of Leadership and Theology.
