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The Third Lausanne Congress On World Evangelization

After a long process, I've been selected to attend the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Cape Town in October 2010. It's a huge privilege to be asked to attend as a representative of the Church in Scotland, coming as it does in the year of the 100th anniversary of the 1910 World Missionary Conference. My hope is that the small part of the Church of which I am part will play its full role in reaching the world with the love of God shown in Christ.

Here's what it's all about:

We are living in a time of enormous threat and amazing opportunity for the church. The life and witness of the church around the world is being assailed by external pressures while simultaneously being weakened by internal troubles.  Yet the church also faces unprecedented global opportunities for the spread of the gospel and open doors for ministry in regions traditionally closed to the witness of Christ.  Unfortunately, a concerted and well-reasoned response to these global issues and opportunities has been difficult because the church, and evangelicalism in particular, is highly fragmented.

Even so there is reason for hope.  Next year 4000 leaders from 200 countries will come together 16-25 October 2010 for The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization: Cape Town 2010.  These leaders, carefully chose from thousands of applicants, will represent the demographic, theological and cultural realities of the global church.  Young and old, men and women, mission leaders, pastors and theologians, Kingdom-minded leaders  from the worlds of business, government, education, medicine and the media – the Congress is drawing the best minds and most creative and courageous leaders the church has to offer.  In addition to the 4000 leaders who will be onsite in Cape Town, this Congress is providing an historic opportunity for people around the world to participate in Cape Town 2010 through the Internet-based Lausanne Global Conversation and Cape Town GlobaLink.

GLOBAL ISSUES
Together these leaders will wrestle with six issues that are of paramount importance to the future of the church and world evangelization, in terms of profound theological reflection and strategic action.  The Church is the most thoroughly global entity in the world with the majority of Christians now in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.  Together, we must establish a new global equilibrium for the church whereby we relate to one another on the basis of our shared vision, our shared calling, our shared wealth and our shared poverty and come together to address these issues:

1. The Challenge of the New Atheism.  World evangelization is based on foundational truth claims about the uniqueness of Christ, the centrality of the cross and the authority of Scripture.  In light of the aggressive attacks on truth by the New Atheism, we must make a compelling case for TRUTH.  We cannot afford to lose the battle for the minds of this generation or the next.
2. The Impact of Hedonism.  We are bombarded everyday with images and messages that serve to undermine our moral and biblical foundations.  The church is being impacted by nominalism, superficiality and the troubling consequences of the prosperity gospel.  We must respond with a prophetic critique of the church which calls us to AUTHENTICITY and INTEGRITY.  We must call Christians to a deeper level of repentance, renewal and discipleship.
3. The Reality of Islam.  Islam is a missionary faith with a global vision.  With a very deliberate strategy, Islam’s mission and impact has spread beyond the Arab world to significantly influence universities and governments in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.  The church must develop an equally deliberate strategy that enables us to live in fidelity to the gospel, influence public institutions and faithfully witness to men and women in all WORLD FAITHS.
4. The Globalized World.  Mega-cities, Diaspora, New Technologies, Social Networking, Political Corruption and Uncertain Futures for the Next Generation, are only a sampling of the challenges and opportunities of a Globalized World that require us to establish NEW PRIORITIES for world evangelization.
5. The Brokenness of Our World.  If our witness is to be prophetic, we must identify with the pain and suffering in the lives of individuals, families, communities and nations.  Not only must we connect with the brokenness but we must also be people of hope and peace as agents of RECONCILIATION, emphasizing the core theme of Cape Town 2010, “God in Christ Reconciling the World to Himself.”
6. Seismic Shifts in Global Christianity.  Global PARTNERSHIPS for world evangelization, unlike anything possible in the previous twenty centuries, are now attainable as we develop relationships that are based on mutual respect – acknowledging that God has called us to be one in Him.  These new partnerships, increasingly led by visionary leaders from the majority world, will also involve more lay people who comprise the vast majority of those who bear witness to Christ in this Century.  By sharing the best available resources and best practices, together “the whole church (will) take the whole gospel to the whole world.”

Its going to cost around £1750 for conference fees, flights and accommodation. I'm trusting God for this amount and inviting friends and family to support my participation in the Congress in prayer and financially. If it's appropriate for you to donate, please use the button below. I'll be updating the blog regularly with news about the Congress.

‘Pragmatic, comfortable and unobtrustive’ : Can the Church of England ever learn to evangelise?

A very helpful and thought provoking article on mission appears in Anvil. It's by the Revd Canon Dr Peter Williams. Though it refers to the Church of England, much of the contents might also apply to the Scottish Episcopal Church. It's been a helpful read, especially as the Diocese of Glasgow & Galloway prepares to call a new bishop.

The introduction explains the contents as follows:

In this article, Peter Williams reminds us that the Church of England is in serious decline and that the contemporary challenge is to evangelise or die. Despite recovering from a comparably dangerous position in the early nineteenth century, through spiritual renewal and structural changes, in the second half of the twentieth century it reversed the progress. He argues it now has to overcome four inhibitors to evangelism arising from its heritage and, as it seeks to develop new strategies for evangelism, highlights eleven missiological principles from the past and from the story of contemporary success in other parts of the world. To put this into practice he presents the case that evangelism should be episcopally facilitated but without tight episcopal and institutional controls because churches need to have the freedom to get on with their own visions in their distinctive cultural settings. A key question therefore is whether the institutional bureaucracy of the Church of England can allow evangelism to be central to its culture without centralising (and thus destroying) its direction, energy and purpose.

Read it all here.

The Christmas Fair 2009

Yet again, St Silas' proved their creativity in crafts and art, as the church opened today for the Christmas Fair. I planned on popping in for an hour at 1030. There was a steady trickle of visitors throughout the day. I ended up staying until well after the closing time at 4pm, chatting with regulars and visitors. I was so busy that I never made the GOW Community event (they were serving mulled wine, which would have been much enjoyed this afternoon).

It was another very good day, thanks to the many volunteers who made it all happen.

Martin Stephenson & "The Month Of Gigs"

Next Thursday night I'll be at Martin Stephenson's gig in Ayr. I've just discovered that on the 17th December, he'll be playing with the Daintees a little bit closer to home than that. To be exact, a five minute walk away from the Rectory at the local Tennis and Bowling club! The promoter, Soundinthesuburbs is doing a great job.

Here's a wee gospel song with Martin Stephenson and Moore's AME Zion Men's Gospel Choir:

In fact, the Daintees are playing locally on the 18th as well, but I'm off to see another brilliant singer/songwriter in Largs that night, Ian McNabb.

December is a busy gig month because there's Florence and the Machine on the 9th and Porcupine Tree on the 11th (my 36th birthday!) to look forward to as well. Life can't be all work can it?

Did I mention that I have another gig to attend? The St Silas' Carols by Candlelight event at 8pm on the 20th December. Do come with your family and friends!

Building For The Future - The Webcams

The steel frame for the new hall is going up. "Building for the Future" continues to take shape.

Check out the two webcam shots of the work in progress here. (A bit pants at night, but really good views by day!)

Anyone can donate there too. Go on, it's a great investment in the Body of Christ.

What To Do With A Saturday

This Saturday, I could go to the St Silas' Christmas Fayre. (I will be present - it's a blast!)

Or attend Mission Scotland's conference on whole life discipleship called 21st Century Disciples.

Or go to the Scotland Trust's Homecoming Day.

Christ the King Weekend 2009

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Ephesians 1:22-23

There's way too much going on right now. Been busy today getting ready for the weekend/next year which is naughty given that today is meant to be a day off. I'll make up for it next week. I applied to become a postman today. Don't panic, I'm not giving up. It's not for me, but for GV Boy. One question they asked was about what you'd do if it was going to take longer than you were contracted for to complete a piece of work. The right answer was to complete the work, rather than work to rule. Go the extra mile and all that. Ministry is about that kind of thing too.

Tomorrow is the meeting of the Scottish Episcopal Evangelical Fellowship at Letham St Mark's Church of Scotland in Perth. It's going to be a good turnout, with lots of lay people (not so many stipendiary clergy - many of us tend to avoid Saturday conferences). We'll have a little episcopal input in the afternoon, after I've delivered some words on spiritual warfare and the tough ministry which Charles Simeon endured. Prayers for the Revd Canon Ian Ferguson (aka "The Wee Dalek") who was meant to talk in the morning but who is unwell. We'll get to pray for one another too. I have a sense that many people are feeling the burn right now.

Sunday sees us focus on "Servant Saints", as our wills get all stirred up. We'll also be encouraging people to keep the Building for the Future project in mind for their giving and prayers.

Today, my tickets for the December 9th gig of Florence and the Machine arrived. That will be the third time of seeing them this year. I'm not obsessed, honestly.

In the words of her latest single (originally by Candi Staton, but the best version until now was the remix with The Source):

Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air
I know I can count on you
Sometimes I feel like saying "Lord, I just don't care"
But you've got the love I need To see me through

Sometimes it seems that the going is just too rough
And things go wrong no matter what I do
Now and then it seems that life is just too much
But you've got the love I need to see me through

When food is gone you are my daily meal
When friends are gone I know my Saviour's love is real
Your love is real.

The Wee Jig

Beat Attitude (who you may remember plays in The Jiggers Ceilidh Band ) has asked for my blog-help recruiting dancers to help the band make a video this Saturday evening.

 The “secret” free event entitled The Wee Jig is being held in an undisclosed location, somewhere in Woodlands in Glasgow. Hmm I wonder where that could possibly be? Anyone looking for a wee impromptu jig aboot (no experience necessary, we are assured) should be available from 7.30 until 10.00 on Saturday night, and contact Greg on 0141 419 9558 or email via the Jiggers website for details.

 

Wesley Owen Glasgow

We need to pray for IBS-STL (owner of Wesley Owen Books and Music) and those who work for them.

Over the years the Christian bookshops in Glasgow have had their ups and downs, with some closing or moving location. I was involved in a small campaign to keep one open. That cause was lost, but the shop concerned had its ministry picked up by Wesley Owen, and I was asked to pray a blessing on that work. To lose Wesley Owen would be terrible for the employees and a great loss to the Church in the city. I'm making a note to myself to shop there as much as I can in the run up to Christmas. Good sales will make the chain attractive to a buyer. Why not join me in that effort?

Help the Aging

About 4pm yesterday, I was feeling a little tired,  so I had a wee lie down on the bed, which promptly sent me to sleep. I awoke to the phone ringing. I looked at the clock which read 4.45pm. I answered the call. It was a friend of GV Boy's, who must now think I have lost it completely, because this is what I said:

Me - "It's quarter to five in the morning. What are you doing on the phone at this time in the morning?".

Friend - "Er, it's quarter to five in the evening!"

Me- "How right you are. Sorry."

It's strange feeling adrift and unsure of time or place.

Thankfully the "Deeper" evening service brought me back to reality.