Leslie Weatherhead (1893-1976)

Leslie was an English Christian theologian in the liberal Protestant tradition.He was noted for his preaching ministry at City Temple in London and for his books

He trained at Richmond Theological college in south west London. WW! cut short his training and he became Methodist minister at Farnham,in Surrey.
After serving in India, Manchester and Leeds he became minister at City Temple , a Congregational Church on Holborn Viaduct in London. He served ‘there’ from 1936 until his retirement in 1960.

On April 17th 1941 the church was destroyed by bombs. THe congregation worshipped in 8 different buildings, including the near-by St. Sepulchre-without- Newgate church, until the new City Temple was opened in 1958 in the presence of the Queen Mother. John D. Rockefeller was a major contributor. Today it is called the United Reformed Church.

Leslie was a preacher of the first order. His sermons had sound form, logical progression of thought and clear illustrations. He was an expert in arousing great feelings. His eyes fascinated the hearer and his hands played a great part in delivery. For Leslie the pulpit always came first. Leslie had the remarkable ability to ‘hide’ himself while he was preaching so that God might speak to the people.
His great friend W.E. Sangster said, If I was to put the secret of his power into one word, I would use the word ‘caring’. He cares for people honestly, personally and in a most costly way.
His careful, painstaking, preparation was so he could introduce them to Jesus.

The 3 books sermon books Leslie considered his best were *That Immortal sea, Over his Own Signature and Key Next Door. * He wrote 55 books in total.
( See incomplete bibliography)

Despite opposition he was elected President of the Methodist Conference for 1955/6. He was highly contraversial figure on account of his questioning some of the central tenets of the Christian faith. John Taylor said he was a great man but remains an enigma.

He retired to live at Bexhill -on-Sea.and died in 1976

Sources used
wiipedia
preaching.com

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