The event is being dubbed as an unofficial commission into the Church's future and its role in the life of the nation.
Five discussions in total have been organised by Professor Linda Woodhead.
She told Premier it was vital that the Church started to discuss a way forward for the Church.
"I did a lot of research, which showed quite what a shocking position the Church of England is in at the moment in terms of decline and in terms of needing to do some really hard thinking about its future."
Experts from within and outside the Church will give evidence and propose solutions.
These include social entrepreneur Lord Mawson on the future of the parish system; Dame Fiona Reynolds of the National Trust on the future of Church buildings; Sir Tony Baldry MP, second church estates commissioner, on how the Church can re-engage people; Canon David Porter of Lambeth Palace on dealing with splits within the Church; and historian professor Diarmaid MacCulloch on what the CofE can offer the next generation.
The opening debate will ask whether the parish system, designed for a rural society, is appropriate for an urban, mobile population.
It is being held at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford, from 5:30-7pm and is free to attend.