Here are some comments about the impact of Why Don’t We Read the Book That Christ Read?:

Letter received from a North African academic:

‘I was invited to teach a course in systematic theology in a Bible school in North Africa. I received your book on the Old Testament during a conference in Malta, and I was so excited about it so I decided to complete reading it in the plane on my way to present the course. I had prepared very well for the course and was ready to share it. When I arrived at the airport, I was told that the course has been already being taught. I was asked to teach another course starting tomorrow. I was totally devastated. How was I going to prepare for another course in such a short time? I had no materials and resources to use in preparation. Then an inspirational idea came to my mind: Why do not have a course based on Dr Kassis’ book? This I did! The outcome of my teaching time was great and very exciting. The chapters on wine, Song of Songs, and violence in the OT were so helpful to my students. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for such a helpful and beneficial book.’

An encounter in the Middle East:

Riad was recently at a conference center where “Mona” (not her real name), a qualified teacher in high school, approached him with her husband, who is a well-known physician. She greeted him warmly and both thanked him for the book. She added:

‘My two brothers are well educated but both had great difficulties accepting the Old Testament. One day we were all together in our summer house and I was reading your book. When my brother knew what I was reading, he commented satirically: “Are you still interested in the Old Testament?” I told him that this book will answer all your questions. You should read it! “No way,” he responded. After the vacation I went back to the city but left the book at the summer house. To my surprise my brother visited me after several weeks to say: “I read the whole book that you left at the summer house. As soon as I started reading it I could not stop. It has really changed my perspective on the Old Testament.”

Mona concluded:

‘I am fascinated with your book and I keep on buying copies from the Bible Society House to give it to my Muslim and Christian friends.’

Riad reports on his book’s impact on seminaries:

‘I am glad to inform you that my book is one of the required readings for Old Testament courses at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, Beirut and the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cairo, Egypt. These are the two most strategic seminaries in the region. I am really humbled and grateful to God and Langham Writers Program for making it available for these future leaders as most of them read only Arabic. I was recently teaching an intensive course on biblical wisdom and Arabic proverbs at the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cairo, Egypt. More than 65 students expressed their desire to have personal copies of my book, not just to read it themselves but to lend it to their friends to read it.

‘I am humbled as I hear comments from many of these students praising how much the book has helped them in their understanding of the Old Testament in a Middle Eastern context. A student commented: “This book is God’s gift to the Middle East. Please do write more books of this kind!”

‘In fact, my book is the only serious book in Arabic on Old Testament issues written by an evangelical. In my heart I have said: Thank you, Lord, for Langham Writers program! I do highly appreciate what you are doing.’

Read more about Riad Kassis and his book, Why Don’t We Read the Book That Christ Read?

Learn more about Langham Literature’s Langham Writers Programme.

Paul and Barby Windsor

Paul Windsor, for over 10 years the Principal of Carey Baptist College in New Zealand, has joined the global team of Langham Partnership International.

At a service in Auckland on Sunday April 19, Paul Windsor was commissioned for his new work as Associate Director of Langham Preaching. Sharing responsibility for the development of the global programme, Paul will take a special interest in the development of training initiatives in Asia and the Pacific. Langham Preaching, one of three international programmes of LPI founded by John Stott, works with national leaders in over 50 countries to nurture indigenous preaching movements for pastors and lay preachers all around the world.

Paul and his wife Barby were brought up in India, children of missionary families with a long history of service in the sub-continent.  Paul pursued an MDiv at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in the USA, and is presently completing his DMin with the Australian College of Theology.  First serving as a pastor in Invercargill, New Zealand, Paul subsequently joined the teaching staff at the Bible College of New Zealand, where he taught Preaching to degree level as well as modules at Masters level. In 1998 he was appointed Principal of Carey Baptist College, during which time he has also taught at the University of Auckland, the Baptist Theological College of Western Australia (where he taught an MA module on Contemporary Biblical Preaching), and at the Bible College of Victoria, teaching the theory and practice of Expository Preaching as an MA/DMin module.

Paul Windsor at Marsden Cross, New Zealand

He is widely respected as a preacher and teacher, not only through his regular work with local churches but also at pastors conferences in Africa, Bible Conventions at Katoomba and Belgrave Heights in Australia, Preachers conferences and mission events. His wide mission interests are reflected in his involvement with many agencies, including Interserve, the Evangelical Fellowship of New Zealand (Vision Network New Zealand), the Asia Theological Association, and the Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship (IFES). But his real love is helping others in the work of preaching – something he has done both in the academic environment and amongst pastors and lay preachers in local churches.  Barby and their five children share Paul’s warm enthusiasm for this new opportunity of service around the world.

In a message of greeting read at the commissioning service, John Stott (founder), and Chris Wright (International Director) stated: ‘We are delighted that Paul will bring his exceptional gifts, experience and humble wisdom into the senior programme team.  It has been a particular encouragement to see the way in which Langham Preaching has grown, impacting so many countries in each of the continents of the world. It is a joy to hear reports of the warm response from so many pastors and lay preachers, often in places where the work of ministry is very tough and sometimes dangerous, and where resources and training facilities are almost non-existent.  Since the programme has been growing so fast under God’s clear blessing, it is a strategic moment for Paul to come alongside Jonathan Lamb to share the responsibilities of leadership. We are so grateful to God for Paul’s commitments to Biblical preaching, to the training of a new generation, and to the call to serve the churches in the Majority World. This mixture of vision, gifts and calling, already proven in New Zealand, will strengthen the work of Langham Preaching in the wider international arena.’

They came from 20 different denominations, and travelled from 13 different regions.  In February, over 150 pastors took part in the ongoing training work of Langham Preaching – called LP-MVIMUTA (a network of expository preachers clubs in Tanzania).  It’s been growing for the past five years, and now there are many hundreds of pastors involved, many preachers’ clubs, and an expanding vision to reach the towns and villages across this vast country.

‘I wish I had known this many years before’
The two training events were held in Mwanza and Mbeya, deliberately targeting groups of pastors in regions which have previously been unreached by the LP-MVIMUTA programme.  Rev Samuel Makocebe spoke for many when he said: ‘I have worked with the Church for more than 18 years, but I have never seen such direct Bible-centred preaching methods and content. I wish I had known this many years before. I am now well equipped to handle the Bible properly.’

Explaining the impact of the programme as it reaches across the churches, country coordinator Frank Luvanda has sent this encouraging report:

‘By God’s grace we managed to have pastors from 20 denominations. It is continuing to help us by building a new generation of preachers and teachers who are not pre-occupied by their denominational backgrounds. This year, the training team included Julius Twongyeirwe, LP country coordinator in Uganda. As well as giving basic training in preaching, he addressed many difficult issues that face the Church in East Africa, such as misunderstanding between church leaders and between Christians of different denominations. Through his training, many church ministers understood their mistakes in ministry and told Frank that “Mchungaji Julius ametusaidia na kutufungua pale tulipokuwa tunakosea katika kuhubiri” (Pastor Julius has helped and opened our mind to know where we were making mistakes in preaching). Here in Tanzania we value so much this cross-pollination in our Preaching Movement.’

A further encouragement was the use of the Tanzanian team as main facilitators. Frank served the seminar programme in Mwanza in the north, the second time he has helped as a local facilitator in the national preaching movement, and Elkana Gonda helped in Mbeya, each working alongside fellow trainers Rodney Wood and Tony Swanson.

Growing preachers clubs
Tanzania has also re-structured the preaching clubs, retaining the five zones established in 2006 and establishing two new zones for local preaching movements, making the ministry of LP-MVIMUTA more effective. ‘We appointed new local representatives for five zones and we will keep on looking to identify other potential local leaders. We also appointed a convenor for each preachers club. God has helped us much in Tanzania because preachers clubs are flourishing and continue to multiply. We continue to encourage preachers clubs all over Tanzania. At the moment we have 42 clubs scattered across the country, but this is not enough. We are not aiming at increasing the number only, but we also aim at having active and effective preachers clubs. We look forward to having more local preaching movements all over Tanzania mainland at our own cost. When we have completed level one, we will then conduct a local level 2 preaching movement. This will help in reducing the costs of running national seminars for level 2.’

Spreading the news
‘To expand the work we plan to invite all bishops and other church leaders in their respective areas to introduce them the ministry of LP-MVIMUTA and its importance for the well being of the Church. We plan to meet church leaders in Morogoro, Mwanza, Mbeya, Kigoma, Arusha and Kagera.  We also look forward to introducing the ministry of LP-MVIMUTA in various theological colleges and Bible schools so that the training methods and values should be incorporated amongst in the curriculum, much as it is conducted at Morogoro Bible College. Knowing the importance of emerging leaders in secondary school and University colleges, we look forward to inviting young Christian leaders to attend LP-MVIMUTA preaching movements, so that they may be able to preach faithfully according to the Bible. This would be a special LP-MVIMUTA local preaching movement for leaders and preachers of students’ Christian associations.’

‘I am working hard in building a strong committed local team. I thank God that we have now managed to build a strong team of 14 local leaders, and we have already spotted a few other promising local leaders. Our aim is to do what Jethro advised Moses in Exodus 18:13-26.

Nurturing local support
‘It is true that most church ministers in rural Tanzania live below 1 dollar a day. The current global economic crisis has contributed much to economic instability for many church ministers in the country. Despite all these challenges we have determined to raise the local contribution. If we start early in the year we can then find ourselves with something to bring to LP-MVIMUTA national at the end of the year. Most Tanzanian church ministers serve the Lord as Paul did, with a ‘tent-making theology’, since the majority are under-paid in their normal work. But most Tanzanian church ministers have no additional skills, so we look forward to run life skills to help church ministers create small projects of their own.

‘In order to make the ministry become sustainable, we are developing ‘Friends of MVIMUTA’, who will be able to provide what they have for the ministry in the country. ‘Friends of MVIMUTA’ will help various churches to set a day for MVIMUTA, when there would be an extra collection for the work.’

Please pray for Frank and his team, for the growing network of preachers, and for effective preaching and teaching to shape the churches and communities of Tanzania.

Langham Partnership Regional Council attendees in Quito, Ecuador

When people mention partnership with the Majority World, they most often think of this in light of the West providing funding for programs happening overseas. Langham Partnership International believes that true partnership is a two-way street and while the West may provide funding, the West should also receive the benefits that come from the Majority World.

This was very evident in the Langham Partnership International Regional Council meeting for Latin America held in Quito, Ecuador, this past November. The gathering brought 14 top Latin American leaders together to share how JSM is working in their countries and discuss how JSM can be of the most help in the future. Jorge Atiencia, from Colombia, said it best when he described the relationship between JSM and Latin America as “como anillo al dedo,” which means “like a ring fits on a finger.”

The most moving aspect of this gathering was when these 14 Latin American leaders gathered around the leadership of LPI to pray for the organization. This was truly inspiring. While LPI received wonderful encouragement and information, there were also offers to help with fundraising, as these leaders wanted to provide introductions to individuals and churches who they believe have an interest in the work of LPI.

LPRC participants Marcelo Vargas, Igor Amestegui, Carlos Pinto, and Nelsa Zolezzi

This council gathered at the Nazarene Seminary in Quito from November  15-17, 2008, with the following members present: Langham Scholar Daniel Salinas-Paraguay; Nelsa Zolezzi-Peru; Miguel Rivas-El Salvador; Igor Amestegui-Bolivia; David Bahena-Mexico; Langham Scholar Victor Morales-Mexico; Jorge Atiencia-Colombia; Carlos Pinto-Peru, (living in Ecuador); Humberto Fernando Bullon-Costa Rica; Langham Scholar Marcelo Vargas-Bolivia; Willfredo Weigandt-Argentina; Sadrac Meza-Costa Rica; Milton Acosta-teaches at seminary in Colombia; Ruth Padilla de Boorst-CRC World Mission on loan to FTLA, IFES Costa Rica and Ian Darke-with Letra Viva in Costa Rica.  The program directors for Langham Partnership International were also present along with several LPI staff members.

While there was much to discuss regarding the implementation and expansion of the preaching program, the beginning of the Latin America Bible Commentary project, Literature distribution, scholar selection and the Fellowship of Langham Scholars, the highlights were the reports from each country to update the work of Langham.   The following is a synopsis of these reports.

Langham Partnership Regional Council as they work through projects

Colombia
Milton Accosta reported that they would like to see younger students learn English and prepare for their PhDs.  They do have a few students in sight. On the Langham Literature program, Pieter Kwant reported that he was recently in Colombia and has set up the literature program in Colombia with CLC. Langham Preaching escuelitas are doing very well with the growth and lessons learned presented and discussed later.

Mexico
David Ruiz reported that There are several Langham Scholars in Mexico, but the Literature and Preaching programs still need to get underway.  There is hope to see the preaching program set up as entry program for all of the other Langham programs in Mexico. Pieter Kwant and Ian Darke will look into some options for the literature program.

Fernando Bullon reviews the Langham Literature catalog

Costa Rica
Fernando Bullon reported that there are two people supported as scholars, but that we have not promoted the program as we should. We need more coordination with seminaries.  The preaching program has some good possibilities to launch before too long.

Brazil
Daniel Santos reported that the scholars program has seen four scholars (Rodrico de Sousa, Hebert Campos, Daniel Santos, Cesar Lopez) working together at the same place with 40,000 students at the University in Sao Paulo. The idea of working together is very helpful. Perhaps we can be of help in future with preaching seminars. Chris Wright is putting plans in place for Langham Regional Council for the Portuguese world and it would be helpful to have Brazil represented. Langham Literature is beginning work on a commentary that includes authors from the whole of Latin America.  Brazil will be taking part in this project.

Bolivia

LPRC attendees Daniel Santos and Ken Perez

Marcelo Vargas reported that five years of preaching seminar have impacted church. Each year we have distributed two books to each attendee. On the scholars program, Marcelo is almost at point of finishing a doctorate and thinks he is the only Bolivian who has done this. There are a couple of candidates close to being granted scholarship.  Igor Amestegui reported that a group of preachers have been formed in La Paz and they meet each month. They have been given study books and to use as they prepare their sermons. We have started escuelitas in Cochabamba and several churches have started their own versions of the escuelitas. One of these is in a prison ministry. We have also started groups with university students as well.

Ecuador

Carlos Pinto reported that he sees ISEDET as an ideal place for Latin Americans to study and that this is a helpful example for  Ecuadorians. He encourage Langham to continue to pursue other locations in Latin America for doctoral studies, as language and family are an issue for many potential scholars. ISEDET opens its doors to Cuba as well.  In the literature he would like to see an Ecuadorian group embrace the program as CLC works through Colombia. The first preaching seminar will be offered next week.  We hope to expand to three locations in coming years.

LPRC participant Nelsa Zolezzi

Argentina
Willfredo Weigandt reported that there are three students studying at ISEDET in Buenos Aires.  One is Argentian, one Chilean and one Peruvian.  The preaching program has been growing since 2002 when John Stott came there, andthere has since been at least one workshop every year and two workshops in the last  two years.  In each of these workshops, we give away two books through Certeza or Editiones Kairos. The strength of the workshops on preaching is in being able to serve the pastors in the interior of Argentina. When John Stott came, there were 15 participants, but in the interior of Argentina we never have less than 60.  This is because of the surplus of resources in Buenos Aires, in contrast to the interior. Pentecostal and neo-Pentecostal, Baptist, and Nazarene participants are growing.

Peru
Nelsa Zolezzi reported that there are two Langham Scholars in Peru including the one currently studying at ISEDET.  Dario Lopez has graduated and is about to have his 10th book published and is invited to speak in many places. We have worked very hard so that the literature ministry could be born. Langham came at a crucial moment. Forty percent of seminaries are in the interior of Peru, and we have been able to provide good literature.  In the preaching program, approximately 100 pastors have participated in the Level 1 program, representing most the denominations and cities. We are seeking ways to help this program become an annual event. Currently there are 200 pastors in small groups (escuelitas) and each group has a tutor to motivate and guide them.  They meet at least monthly.  Other conferences have been held in between annual Langham Preaching seminar.  There are two pastors very committed to the program, they teach in different seminaries and provide direction and travel in interior. There are also several testimonies of well-prepared pastors, for example: one pastor mentioned he must ask Lord for forgiveness for the number of times he has gone into the pulpit without proper preparation, and now he gives 1-2 days retreat to prepare.

El Salvador
Miguel Rivas reported that the preaching program was born when Chris Wright came to El Salvador with approximately 150 participants and the idea of the ministry was developed from there. Escuelas de Expositorios Biblicas have been formed.  These were inspired by Colombia but contextualized for El Salvador. Every module lasts for three months. Modules are: 1) How to Understand Bible, 2) Hermeneutics, 3) Exegesis and the Practice of Exegesis [using the book, Word of God for the People of God]—also Textual Criticism, 4) Homiletics, 5) Liturgy.  So far 22 have graduated and 30 are in the process.  In the literature program, we are working with five editorial houses including Certeza, Kairos, and a Catholic house. We have distributed all the books of John Stott.  One popular pastor said that he had been too busy to do what we taught, but after the seminar he began to prepare his sermons in an expository way. His congregation then asked him to tape his sermons. Now he is a tutor for the program.

Part of the editorial team for the Commentaire Biblique Contemporain (left to right): Tewoldemedhin Habtu, Samuel Ngewa, Issiaka Coulibaly, Solomon Andria, Yusufu Turaki

It was a historic moment when the launch of the French edition of the Africa Bible Commentary — the Commentaire Biblique Contemporain — took place on November 19, 2008, at the prestigious Palace of Culture in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Langham Literature helped to support the project and was present to honor the hard work and dedication devoted to making it happen.

The president of Côte d’Ivoire honoured the invitation to attend the launch, sending the minister of Home Affairs as his official representative. The minister of Culture and the minister of Communication were also present, as was a representative of the mayor of Taeichville, Abidjan.

An attendant clutches her copy of the Commentaire Biblique Contemporain.

Yusufu Turaki, representing General Editor Tokunboh Adeyemo who, due to illness, was not able

to be present, and Solomon Andria, the French editor, joined nearly a thousand others who have been eagerly awaiting the launch of this one-volume commentary on the Bible in French. The original work was written by both French-speaking and English-speaking African scholars, with those portions originating in French translated into English. Over 50,000 copies of the ABC have been distributed since its launch in July 2006. The two years since then have been spent translating the English portions into French,

The Minister of Home Affairs, Cote D'Ivoire, receives a copy of the CBC from Solomon Andria, French editor.

much of the burden of the editorial activity falling on the shoulders of Solomon, who is much to be applauded for his excellent work. Further translations are already underway in Swahili and Portuguese as well as for Hausa and possibly Amheric. Serving In Missions and Langham Literature have supported this project for seven years and are delighted with the results.

The five hundred copies of the CBC available at the launch were very quickly sold out, with those who purchased them obviously very pleased to have one in hand.

Visit the LPI photo gallery for a slideshow of the event.

]]> http://www.langhampartnership.org/2008/12/04/cb/feed/ 0 http://www.langhampartnership.org/2008/10/31/kiswahili-abc/ http://www.langhampartnership.org/2008/10/31/kiswahili-abc/#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:36:20 +0000 hgoody http://www.langhampartnership.org/?p=509 Langham Literature continues to be thankful for the success of the Africa Bible Commentary and its incredible impact on the support for pastors in Africa. Several translations are expected; currently underway is the Kiswahili translation, a language spoken in more than 10 countries with as many as 10 million speakers. Langham Literature’s partner on the project, WordAlive Publishers, offers this report on the progress of this important translation.

Exactly one year since WordAlive Publishers (WAP) commenced the translation of the Africa Bible Commentary into Kiswahili, and with about 75 percent of the translation already completed, the project has now entered the crucial editing phase in earnest. The Kiswahili ABC will hit the market in October 2009.

As part of the project, WAP organised a consultative meeting of translators and editors in Dodoma, Tanzania from 3 to 6 September 2008. The key agenda for the meeting was to review the work and to discuss issues that emerged during translation. During this meeting, the participants pledged to rededicate their efforts to ensure that the timelines are observed and that the project is completed according to schedule.

The meeting was also a forum to train in and hone editorial skills in readiness for the editing phase. Indeed, editing had been going on albeit at a slower pace due to shortage of personnel; almost 15 percent of the editing work had been done by August 2008. With the successful editorial seminar, six editors will now be joining the only four that are currently undertaking the exercise. We hope that this will speed up the process and complete the editorial phase by April 2009. While in Dodoma, we had the opportunity to meet some key church leaders at a dinner event. Among those who attended were officials from the Bible Society of Tanzania, Christian Council of Tanzania and Anglican and Catholic dioceses as well as lecturers from the theological colleges around Dodoma. This conference was part of our build-up to the 2009 release and subsequent distribution of the Kiswahili edition of the Africa Bible Commentary.

Meanwhile, we expect the remaining portion of the translation exercise, involving fifteen (15) books, to be completed by the end of November. Once completed, some of the translators will be recruited to join the editing team.

We continue to thank God for enabling the translation exercise to get this far. As we turn our focus to editing, we pray for additional strength so as to issue an excellent product that will significantly transform Africa and the world.

In August, one of the members of the translation team, Geoffrey Majule, was awarded a doctoral scholarship at Asbury Theological Seminary, USA. We congratulate him warmly and wish him well in his studies. At the same time, in September, Dr Catherine Ndungo of Kenyatta University joined the editing team. We warmly welcome her to participate in this ‘monumental’ leaders project.

We are greatly encouraged by the impressive progress that this project has attained so far. We are confident that we shall observe the timelines, which were re-examined during the meeting in Dodoma. The enthusiasm expressed by both the translation and the editorial teams will no doubt see us across the finishing line, expectedly well ahead of schedule.

Pray for:
1. The translators: for strength and clarity of mind as they work to complete the remaining portion.

2. The editors: for wisdom and insight as they continue putting the work together.

3. Members of the team, George Ndulesi and Sheila Ryanga, who were bereaved during the editorial seminar; for strength to bear the loss.

Editors Note: WordAlive Publishers acknowledges the successful consecration and enthronement of Canon Father John Simalenga as the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of South West Tanganyika on 6th July 2008 at Njombe. He continues to play an effective role in the translation of the Kiswahili ABC.

Permission to reproduce this article granted from WordAlive Publishers (www.wordalivepublishers.org).

Travelling in a three-wheel tuktuk across the city of Colombo (my guidebook warned me of ‘the anarchic driving conditions’ on Sri Lanka’s roads), it was a relief to arrive at the Centre for Graduate Studies, a bright and welcoming building in the centre of the city. Part of the Lanka Bible College and Seminary, the Graduate Centre supports leadership and pastoral training, distance learning initiatives and a Masters course. The Centre has just celebrated the opening of its new library.

Its well-ordered shelves, growing stock of some 8,000 volumes, computer facilities and Internet access provide an essential resource for those engaged in theological training. Carried out in fellowship with many agencies around the world, including the Overseas Council which supported the building project and Langham Literature which supported the book stock, the library will be a welcome haven for quiet study and theological reflection, just metres away from the bustling streets of downtown Colombo.

But those streets are the mission field in this predominantly Buddhist country, where only a small percentage of the population owes allegiance to Christ. The growing church is engaging with the demands of mission in a challenging religious and political context, and the oasis of a library provides one of the essential resources for true engagement with the city and country – a necessary retreat in order to advance the cause of mission.

Amidst growing news of the persecution of thousands of Christians across northern India, a small group of Christian leaders met in Delhi last week to explore ways of coordinating their efforts in the training of pastors and lay preachers. Across northern India there are remarkable signs of church growth.  Compared to the south of the country, the region has been a tough environment for Christian witness, with far fewer resources and Christian initiatives than in the south. But the tide has been turning: leaders are planting thousands of churches in the huge northern states, and more energy is being given to their support through training initiatives of all kinds.

Recognising the overwhelming need to strengthen the churches through the training of preachers, the team of 12 leaders met for a short consultation convened by members of the Langham Partnership Regional Council for South Asia. Paul Swarup, Finny Philip and Paulson Pulikottil, themselves former Langham Scholars, sustain an active interest not only in the academic arena and in Christian publishing, but in the grass-roots needs of local churches. Specifically, they share the concern of Langham Preaching to find ways to strengthen biblical preaching in the many new emerging churches across northern India.

Drawing together agencies from various areas of northern India, the Langham Preaching consultation had the following outcomes:

•    All participants recognised the benefit of exchanging training ideas. Many of them were not aware of each other’s training work, and the opportunity to receive news, learn from the example of others, and pray for each other’s ministry, was a very significant outcome of the consultation. It is hoped that the friendships established will allow for ongoing communication between the different agencies.

•    The consultation determined to redouble efforts in the training of trainers, seen to be a priority need for all of the agencies involved in northern India. Given the vast scale of the work to be done, the most important need is to equip a new army of trainers who will carry forward the training of pastors and lay preachers within their own villages and towns.

•    The consultation decided to establish a database which will list all available resources – appropriate training materials, books and other resources which will serve each agency in the training of preachers.

•    It was decided to encourage Langham Preaching, in fellowship with several of the agencies at the consultation, to support a new training initiative in Nagaland. Here the churches have been growing rapidly, but there is a strong need for training amongst pastors. Langham Preaching will lead the initiative during 2009, carried out with help from facilitators from northern India.

•    The consultation agreed to meet annually and to extend the network of those who are invited to participate.

There was a strong feeling that this was the time for energetic commitment to the cause of preaching training, and for every effort to be made to coordinate our work for the benefit of the growing church of northern India.

by Victor Sun, General Secretary, Langham Foundation-Hong Kong

8 August 2008

Are we ready for the Olympics extravaganza? We in Hong Kong are eagerly waiting for the opening ceremonies on 8th August at 8:08 pm, when the spectacular 17 days of competition begins. The Chinese government is doing everything possible to make the games a success by spending billions of dollars on the city. In the last few months, 30 sport stadia and 44 training centres have been erected, new air-conditioned buses were put into service and pollution factories were either shut down or relocated. I was in Beijing just two weeks ago, landed in a state-of-the-art airport with the world’s largest passenger terminal (designed by Sir Norman Foster) while three additional subway lines were opened the following day to ease the ever-growing traffic. By hosting the XXIX Olympiad in 2008, China is not only showing her best face to the world, she is also sending out a clear message that the country is ready to take her rightful place in the family of nations after re-emerging as an global economic giant. What is ironic is that since January, the Western media has made China the centre of attention first with the snowstorm, then the Tibetan riots in March to be followed by the Sichuan earthquake in May.

For the last 30 years, we have witnessed China’s gradual opening up from the isolation days of Cultural Revolution. People’s livelihood has improved, especially for those living in the urban area. In general Chinese citizens today enjoy greater freedom compared to the previous generations. Along with the rapid social change, the church in China has also thrived, and many young people are openly claiming to be Christian believers. The 2008 Olympics is the largest international event hosted so far in the country’s history, it will no doubt provide ample opportunities for fellowship between local and foreign Christians. Some Beijing churches are organizing special cultural and musical shows as part of the celebration.

There is a severe lack of pastors and Bible teachers in China today. There are too few seminaries to keep pace with the staggering growth of believers. This is where Langham Partnership International through the Langham Foundation in Hong Kong can contribute to building a healthy church in China. Currently we have ten Langham scholars from that country (excluding those from Hong Kong). Three of them have obtained their doctorate degrees and returned home to serve. At the same time, the Langham Foundation is helping a number of seminaries and universities inside China to expand their libraries with evangelical books while our first preaching seminar for China mainland pastors will be launched later in September this year.

We would value your prayers during the 2008 Olympics. Remember to thank the Lord for building his Church and his Kingdom in China despite the difficult times in previous years. Pray also for God’s protection for the visitors, athletes, foreign and local Christians that no harm will befall them. Pray too that God’s eternal purpose will prevail and that many will come to acknowledge his goodness and sovereignty (“Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. – Psalm 127:1). Lastly we pray that God will allow the body of Christ to grow and mature. One day we hope to see that the church in China can become a blessing to the nation and the world.

Preaching that is good to taste, easier to create and spreads even further

In June 2008 at a Langham Preaching event in Ghana known as NEPS (National Expository Preaching Seminar), Ian Buchanan was able to spend time with three leaders who had applied what they had learnt at previous events to their local situations. Two young ministers were inspired to share training with their local network of pastors, while a third pastor worked to influence his national diocese.

Nana-Atto Hope and Emmanuel Anseh are two twenty-something Methodist leaders who have equipped their local “Bread of Life Society” of Methodist ministers with the skills they learnt at the NEPS conference in 2007. Methodist churches in Ghana require local ministers to meet up in local societies, which are only one part of a larger regional circuit that is, in turn, a part of a cluster of trans-national dioceses.

Last year the Bread of Life Society decided that meeting once every four months for prayer was not enough. But what would be the purpose of more regular meetings? Nana-Atto and Emmanuel suggested that the NEPS course materials and experience could be used as material for more meetings, as a means of helping other ministers with a crucial weekly task – preaching.

The idea was immediately seized upon since the Bread of Life Society is renowned within their Circuit for its innovative new approach to ministry, and maintaining that reputation was becoming ever more difficult.

For the first three meetings Nana-Atto and Emmanuel repeated all they had learned at NEPS 2007 with their group of 15 ministers. For the six meetings prior to this year’s NEPS conference, the group chose, on a rota basis, three or four ministers from the group for monthly Saturday morning expository preaching events. For each sermon given the participants gave their considered assessment based on clarity, relevance and faithfulness to the text.

The success of these local meetings, helped by that historic reputation for innovative thinking, has meant that their circuit is now taking interest in what they have been doing. They now hope to move it upwards into this wider circuit arena after the June 2008 NEPS conference.

It also became clear that both Nana-Atto and Emmanuel had benefited enormously from what they had passed on to others. “We find that expository preaching allows us to give more to the people”, Nana-Atto chimed in with the big grin of a leader who feels he’s finally scratching where people itch. “I see it as a way for me to get more from the Bible than I did before”, added Emmanuel.

But it’s about more than just “feeding” Christians; it’s also about reducing those dreaded preparation tensions. “Now I find that preparing my sermon is so much easier than before”, said Emmanuel. “It used to be very tough for me … but now it flows so much more easily as I can think more systematically about the text”. Nana-Atto immediately agreed with Emmanuel by giving him a Ghanaian style hand shake that clearly reflected their joint relief at finding an excellent de-stressing tool for preachers.

So, more food to give and easier to prepare as well. Now that sounds like a recipe worth imitating by any Methodist circuit.

While two young ministers spent the year revitalizing their local network, one Council Chairman worked to influence the national Methodist Diocese. Revd S.V. Mpereh is a circuit minister for the Medina Circuit and leader of the Ebenezer Methodist Society. He also holds the chair of the local Council of Churches. When ministers met in his quarterly circuit, “S.V.”, as he is known, decided to introduce them to the NEPS 2006 training material.

In one sense S.V is working from the top-down as well as from the middle-up. Last year he asked the circuit ministers to filter down the training into their local societies. That way what is learnt at circuit level can be repeated again once a quarter at society level.

“This way I keep them always learning”, S.V. noted with glee. The challenge of leading a circuit clearly weighs heavily on S.V. as he asks God for wisdom in leading an ever expanding group of ministers. If that was not enough he also ensures that they all get opportunities for practical training and assessment from other local ministers. “I act as the coordinator and that way they all can have a turn” he adds as if this coordinating role was the easiest part of all that he does.

So how many people make up this “Circuit Preacher’s Club”? Sixty was S.V’s emphatic response, “But I want to expand it upwards to a diocesan level this year” and that will multiply the numbers by 26.

S.V is a classic example of a man with ambition and the coordinating skills to match, both of which are so needed when it comes to spreading a grass-roots indigenous preaching movement.

The National Evangelical Church of Beirut has deep roots in Lebanon, first established in 1848 and later creating the first evangelical Arabic-speaking congregation in the Middle East. It has a long history of serving as a center for publishing and other communication among Arab Christians. In June, the tradition of this church continued as it became the venue for a book-launch of Langham scholar Riad Kassis’ latest publication to an enthusiastic crowd that included many local and national dignitaries.

Organized by Clarion Publishing House, the event celebrated the publication of Riad’s book Why Don’t We Read the Book That Christ Read? Towards a Better Understanding of the Old Testament (Beirut: Clarion Publishing 2008). The book was released in Arabic and supported in part by a grant from the Langham Literature program. Riad is the first Langham writer to publish in the Middle East and the first to publish in Arabic.

The main objective of the book is to approach the difficulties that an Arab reader may face when reading the Old Testament, to provide an appropriate methodology on reading the Old Testament, and to show the relevancy that the Old Testament has for the ethical, social, and political issues of the Arab world today.

Among the attendants of the event were following: the president of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Churches in Syria and Lebanon, the president of the Evangelical Alliance in Lebanon, many pastors, school principals and teachers, as well as the presidents of several theological institutions in Lebanon.

“I was also pleased to see the most influential writer and biblical scholar in the Maronite/Catholic church of Lebanon, and perhaps in the whole Middle East, Father Dr. Boulos Feghali,” Riad said. “Even Father Feghali, who was not scheduled to speak, insisted to say a few words on the importance of my work.”

Riad was honored and thrilled with the excitement from the people who attended. One leader from the Lebanon chapter of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) wrote, “Allow me to thank you for yesterday’s ‘classy’ signing event. I liked all of its parts, especially your word! … May the Lord bless you and keep your pen running for His glory!”

Crews from local media–including SAT-7 (the evangelical satellite television) and Noursat (the Catholic satellite television)–were also present. SAT-7 will be broadcasting the book-launch event on June 24 and 25, 2008, and will feature a special interview with Riad on July 10. It is expected that the event will also appear in several major newspapers in Lebanon and the Middle East.

Please join Riad in prayer that the success of his book release will help promote the need for the publication of more books written by and for Arab Christians.

Read the recommendations for Why Don’t We Read the Book That Christ Read?

View more photos of Riad Kassis’ historic book launch.

Kwame Bediako passed away this week. Langham Literature Director Pieter Kwant and I had the opportunity to visit him at the Global Church Tour in Grand Rapids in April, where he and his wife were spending some sabbatical time at Calvin College. Mark Hunt, Langham Partnership International’s board chair, had also met with him earlier in the year when he was among the speakers at the National Pastors Convention in San Diego.

Kwame was one of the most remarkable senior African leaders I have ever met. He had a surpassing level of scholarship (two doctorates – one in English and one in French). He had a range of knowledge of the history of the church in Africa (and Europe) that could keep us spellbound for hours just listening to his stories. And he had a most profound understanding of the relationship between the gospel and African culture. He also had a huge passion to bring African Christians together to affirm their Christian identity in authentic ways that would overcome some of the worst legacies of the colonial era. And yet he wore all this learning with such a light touch. His twinkling eyes and sparkling humour and laughter were a constant tonic. It has been such a joy and privilege to know him for many years.

The Akrofi Christaller Memorial Centre for Mission Studies, that he established at Akropong, Ghana, has a fine record of research and publication in African Christianity and contextual theology, and just recently got its charter from the government of Ghana for the awarding ofKwame Bediako degrees including doctorates.

Kwame also had a deep love for John Stott, and the whole work and ethos of the Langham Partnership. He was not himself a Langham scholar, but he knew many of them, and was regarded as a mentor and father figure by many. Though a man under incredible pressures of work and leadership, Kwame stepped up immediately when I asked him, to arrange and chair the first Regional Council for West Africa (Anglophone) in Ghana 2006 , and to co-chair the first meeting of the Regional Council for Francophone Africa in Cameroon in 2007. When I last spoke to him, he was full of enthusiastic plans for the next meeting of both combined, to be held in Ghana in October 2008.

So we shall miss him greatly. He is a sad loss to Ghana, to Africa, and indeed to the world church.

Please pray for his wife (known to some as Gillian and to others as Mary), who has been totally involved in all the work that Kwame did, and is herself a writer and editor of immense experience.

It is hard at a time like this to understand the ways of the Lord. But the legacy that Kwame Bediako leaves is simply enormous, and we pray that his ministry and contribution will now be multiplied even further through those whom he has mentored and inspired over the years.at Kwame Bediako leaves is simply enormous, and we pray that his ministry and contribution will now be multiplied even further through those whom he has mentored and inspired over the years.

Listen to Kwame Bediako at the Global Church Tour, Grand Rapids, Mich., April 2008

The evening opened with a time of sung worship led by the Souled Out band. Chris then held out the challenge to another generation of God’s people to remember that church growth needs the element of maturity and depth built in if we are going to continue to honour God in all we do. The evening closed with the band and a chance for those attending to come forward for prayer.

In order to give a younger audience more ways to engage with the core message, Souled Out hired a local painter (Mike Samson) who painted his understanding of what “depth, discipleship, maturity and church growth with depth” looks like. He was very visible to all present as he painted on a large canvass placed up front. The event attendees were each given sketch paper and pencils so that they could create their own images of the theme and then place them on blue board walls along the side of the hall. Another canvass wall was also set up in the front for any brave young people to come forward and paint their own understanding of the theme whilst the evening unfolded.

Chris’ message to those attending echoes the passion of Langham Partnership whose mission is to help churches in the Majority World to grow in maturity. See more information on Chris’ message to the Souled Out crowd here.

The objective of the SABC, according to the editors and advisors, is to “equip Christian leaders at the grassroots level – pastors, students and lay leaders – who under the guidance of the Holy Spirit can be instrumental in the establishment and nurture of a vibrant church in this region.”

Project Editor Jessica Richard
“The only commentaries that an untrained pastor, lay person or a theological student, without access to a good library would go to…are dated and not contextual,” said Jessica Richards, the SABC project editor. “They tend to concentrate more on the technicalities of the text and contentious academic questions on authorship and dating rather than on contextual application to realities and issues in the South Asian context.”

Jessica worked on several long-term projects such as the Dictionary of South Asian Christianity (DSAC) before joining the SABC team. Her experience with the editorial process, combined with her work on social issues in India, has primed her with the ability to take on the large project:

“My theological involvement and articulation are grounded in my multiple identities as an Indian/Asian Christian woman living in a gloriously pluralist fabric; a fabric which is also permeated by discrimination on the basis of caste, class, creed and gender,” she shares. “[I am] also constantly informed and influenced by the fact that I theologize from and in a context of globalization that has widened gaps – economically, socially and in religious terms.”

Jessica is working with several contributors and six general/theological editors, all from the South Asia region. “The opportunity that such a project affords to work with some of the best biblical scholars and theologians in this region is something that cannot be quantified. I know I will gain immensely in working with all of the contributors to the SABC,” Jessica says.

Langham Scholars as Theological Editors
Of the six theological editors, five are Langham scholars: Jacob Cherian, Finny Philip, J. Jesudason Jeyaraj, Havilah Dharamraj, and Paul Swarup. These scholars know firsthand the importance of getting an affordable Bible commentary distributed in this area of the world.

The general editors and developers of the South Asia Bible Commentary

“The one-volume SABC is a critical tool much needed for the numerous grass roots level pastors and evangelists who have had little or no formal theological education,” says Paul Swarup. “It can be likened to giving a huge number of assembly-line workers in a car manufacturing plant, the appropriate tools to put the parts together to bring out a beautiful and powerful car!”

“I am excited to think about the significance and impact this commentary will have for the church in South Asia,” says Jacob Cherian. “With the Indian subcontinent as the birthplace of key religious faiths of our world (especially Hinduism and Buddhism), and with India having the second largest population of Muslims in the world, topics such as “Jesus among other gods” and the legal and social (not to mention theological and communal) implications of ‘religious conversion’ are bound to serve the Church in a major capacity.”

The SABC is projected to sell 10,000 copies in the first year, with the Hindi edition expected to have similar sales goals. It is the latest in a series of Bible commentaries co-sponsored by John Stott Ministries-Langham Partnership International, beginning with the award-winning Africa Bible Commentary which has sold more than 75,000 copies to date and is in the process of several translations.

Look for more details about this exciting project in JSM’s upcoming newsletter, In the Gap.

Help partner with LPI to sponsor the SABC and other much needed projects…Visit the Get Involved page for more information.

Several Latin American leaders have expressed that a single-volume commentary is a project they have been hoping for. The discussion is at its infancy stages, and questions of expense, project management, distribution, and process details are continuing.

Project editors René Padilla, Milton Acosta, Rosalee Velloso, and coordinator Ian Darke

Among those who attended the discussion were LPI Literature Director Pieter Kwant, Langham Scholar Milton Acosta, Langham Partnership Regional Council member Rene Padilla, and LPI Committee Chair Mark Hunt. Also attending was Rosalee Velloso (South American Theological Seminary, Brazil), a key editor for the project and Ian Darke of Letra Viva, who will coordinate the project.

LPI will consider sponsoring as much as half the funds needed and helping with administrative needs. The project will take shape this summer as more details and editorial assignments will be set in motion in June.

In early March, I attended a Langham Partnership International Senior Management Team (SMT) meeting, held at the Hookses, John Stott’s coastal hideaway in Wales. “Uncle John” himself had been there with Frances Whitehead, his secretary of more than 50 years, and other friends, the week before. A few days after the conclusion of the SMT meeting, I had the privilege of paying Uncle John a visit at his home within the grounds of a retirement community for Anglican clergy 30 miles south of London.

At the Hookses, we faced what some British meteorologists called “the storm of the winter,” and the cold and wet weather continued during my train ride from London and short walk from the small village train station to Uncle John’s place of residence. But any thoughts about the inclement weather were quickly replaced by a sense of joyful expectation when I heard Uncle John reply to my knock on his door with a strong and cheerful, “Come in.”

It had been a few years since I had last seen Uncle John, and others who had seen him more recently had informed me of his increasing frailty and his need to use a walker to get around. While those reports were certainly true, it was just as true that his character remains intact—gracious, kind, gentle, faithful, hopeful, loving—in a word, Christlike.

We began our hour together reminiscing a bit, walking down the memory lane of our friendship of over 25 years. I also brought Uncle John the greetings of many friends from across the pond, which brought a smile to his face and some fond memories for him.

I asked how he was finding his living situation, which has been his home for about a year now. Uncle John shared that he has a number of evangelical friends in the retirement community, including one man whose friendship with John goes back 70 years when they were students at Rugby School! Uncle John related that he is often asked whether he is happy. His response is that while he would not say that he is happy (I would imagine that he misses many people, the activity of his ministry, his home in London, and the ability to travel abroad), he is content, citing Philippians 4:11, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

I provided Uncle John an update on JSM, which greatly interested him. He encouraged me to claim the promise of James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

We closed our time together, as we had done many times before, in prayer. Uncle John asked me to pray for his continued work on what he promised will be his last book. I was struck that the lone prayer request of this man of God would ultimately result in a gift and blessing to many, many people.

As I walked back to the train station, I pondered the words that he had graciously shared with me, and I gave thanks to God for the opportunity to be with Uncle John, a man who has been with Jesus and who so clearly gives off the aroma of Christ.

The Tanzanian preaching movement continues to extend its reach, with nearly 320 delegates attending the training seminars in February and March this year, as well as the launch of a new initiative in the training of local facilitators.

Coordinated by Frank Luvanda and Tony Swanson, the programme not only included large seminars in the north and south of the country. A small group of Tanzanian trainers have also been equipped to develop new level 1 training events in different regions of the country, taking the training to local groups and thereby strengthening the indigenous commitment of the preaching movement. This year over 170 pastors and lay preachers attended the Northern event in Mwanza, and nearly 150 attended the event in Morogoro.

Langham Preaching facilitator Rodney Wood worked with Frank and Tony, and they were joined by Mercy Ireri, the Langham country coordinator for the preaching movement in Kenya. Her training skills and her experience of nurturing preacher’s clubs in Kenya supported the Tanzanian training and is a good example of the emerging African preaching network – cross-border fellowship and support which is part of the Langham Preaching vision.

The workshop focused on helping participants understand their own languages in relation to English and their own vernaculars, especially as far as translation into Bislama goes. We also discussed the state of standardisation of Bislama spelling and expression. Rosemary led this portion of the workshop, since she is our linguist. It was the lion’s share of the workshop, since everyone needs both the skill and confidence to write in Bislama. It was eye-opening and exciting for the participants to get to know their own national language better from a linguistic perspective, and to have light shed on their own questions and problems with the language. About 1/4 or 1/3 of the workshop was devoted to how to write Bible commentary, and what sort of Bible commentary we are hoping to write, that is, one that is tied to the text and serves preaching biblical, Christ-centred messages.

So, thanks so much for praying, but don’t stop now! The success of the workshop raises people’s expectations, which means more intense work from the VBC team. Pray the Lord gives us wisdom for guiding the venture, and grace to all who have begun working on their commentaries. Different individuals or groups are getting started on: Psalms 1-15; Proverbs 1-10; Haggai; Jonah; Ruth; Esther; Joshua; 1 Peter; 1,2,3 John; 2 Peter; Galatians; 1 Thessalonians; as well as the works nearly completed: Philemon, Philippians, Colossians, Mark.

Thanks again for thinking of us and praying for us.

Sincerely,
Andrew & Rosemary Williamson

Safia Nana Zakana could not understand what had happened to Pastor James. She attended his church in Abuja, Nigeria, where he preached regularly. But during 2007 something changed. “I found he was different,” she told Chris Wright, who was leading the second Nigerian Langham Preaching seminar. “He used to preach all over the place, but now he never uses illustrations or stories that are not relevant to the text he is preaching from. And he always ties his conclusion to what the text is saying.”

Safia was attending the seminar at Level 1, and Pastor James had attended it last year, and clearly it had changed him. “So when I see him,” Safia laughed, “I’m going to tell him, ‘Now I know your secret!’ Already we are asking him to train us and others in the church in what he has learned.”

Safia Nana Zakana

Safia herself was a TV presenter before, so she never had any problem about standing up and speaking before audiences. Her problem was knowing how to handle the Bible well and how to teach it properly to others. She works for RURCON – ‘Rural Church Councillors of Nigeria’ – a teaching and training network that encourages rural church pastors to have a holistic ministry of the Gospel in words and works. So she has lots of opportunities to teach and train others. “I wanted to know how to present the Word of God properly in context – its own context, and our context – so that people can understand it and be changed,” she said. “This seminar is helping me to do exactly that.” And with a final bright smile, “My husband, who works for Christian aid and can’t be here, is so jealous!”

The Nigerian Movement Grows Fast

The Langham Preaching movement in Nigeria started in February 2007 with 150 people at Level 1. This year, 90 of them returned for Level 2 training, while another 160 joined at a fresh Level 1. After taking the original group to Level 3 in 2009, it is likely the movement will have to split into several regional streams. This is not surprising, since everything in Nigerian Christianity is big. The movement is supported by several heads of denominations that number millions of members, some of whom attended throughout, at the invitation of Gideon Para-Malam, the main organizer.

Langham Literature provided books for the participants, and some more were provided as gifts and for sale through Africa Christian Textbooks, run by Sid Garland. Many bought copies of the “Africa Bible Commentary.”

And Langham scholars are involved as well. The chair of the Nigerian Langham Preaching committee is Pandang Yamsat, who is the President of the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN). And another Langham scholar, Bishop Cyril Okorocha sent ten pastors from his Diocese of Owerri, and gave a guest lecture one evening.

Making a Difference
Chris Wright, who was the main facilitator at last year’s seminar and returned for this one, was keen to hear from members of the first group if what they learned last year had made any difference to their preaching habits and their churches’ lives. He got some encouraging responses.

Pastor Bitrus Abba pastors a church in the Hausa speaking Kagoro region. “I used to feel so guilty before,” he said, “because I never prepared properly. I would just do a bit on Saturday night or even Sunday morning before preaching. So last year’s seminar made me sit up. Now, I start every Monday morning to study and prepare. Then I do a little bit each evening and put it all together on Friday night. There has been a much better response from my people. Their level of interest is greater because they can see clearly the main message and purpose of each passage. Many more are coming to the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study.

“During the past year, I have preached through James (in 2 months), 1 Timothy, 1 Corinthians, and parts of Micah and Habakkuk. I have just bought the ‘Africa Bible Commentary,’ which will be really helpful. I find I learn so much as I prepare.

“During the past year we also started a preachers club for our town, and that has met twice, and we will go on meeting and learning together.”

Exploding but Dissatisfied
Pastor Caleb Mutfwang leads a large church in Kaduna, in the northern part of Nigeria. He told Chris Wright that although there is an explosion of church attendance in Nigeria, people are often dissatisfied with church. They look for somewhere where the Word is being taught because they are severely hungry. And they appreciate it when they hear thorough exegesis of the Bible itself. They are not gullible. What had he particularly learned from last year’s seminar?

• “I was conscious that I had often preached out of context. Even though the message might have been true, the supporting text was not appropriate.
• “Secondly I learned the need to stay within the text while preaching it.
• “Then thirdly, I learned the discipline of preparing sermon notes seriously, and not just extempore ‘as the Spirit leads’.
• “Fourthly, our church began to look at more theological themes, like ‘Who really is God?’, and if you do that, you have to be more diligent in your study. We have a fairly educated membership. In my younger days I used to despise theology, but suddenly I have realized through my reading of John Stott and others, that it is not dry. And you can give people good content without being boring.”

As the Nigerian Langham Preaching movement grows and spreads, pray that it may become an open secret, and change a whole culture of preaching back to its biblical roots.

Read more about Nigerian Langham Scholar Matthew Michaels

View the Langham Preaching-Nigeria Photo Gallery

Matthew began his ministry as a missionary church planter with ECWA in the mid-1990s. He took his first degree in missiology, and his zeal is still very apparent. Even during his Ph.D. studies, he engages in student ministry, taking some of his fellow students to the campus of the University of Jos and relating to village students there every Saturday and Sunday.

Matthew’s other main passion is the Bible. He has been specializing in the Christological intepretation of the Old Testament, but with the particular goal of reaching the new generation of Africans with biblical teaching about Christ that is culturally rooted and relevant. “I have a great dream for biblical Christianity in Africa,” he told me when we met in Jos in January 2008, while I was leading a Langham Preaching seminar there. “I want to see African Christological reconstruction that will go beyond the standard pictures of the past and really speak to ordinary Christians.”

For four years before starting his doctoral studies, Matthew had already been teaching several courses at JETS, on Hebrew and Old Testament studies. He is also on the faculty of another ECWA seminary at Kagoro and will probably move to that faculty after his PhD. He is a highly valued member of the upcoming ECWA leadership, and finished both his BA and MA studies with top grades in all classes. He is working equally hard at his PhD now, and will finish his course-work in May, and then move into two years of dissertation work, hoping to complete some time in 2010.

I was so impressed with Matthew and the way his enthusiasm for his studies just fizzed out of him as he talked about the topics he is researching and writing on. But then I discovered another reason for the joy in his voice and the sparkle in his eye. He got married just a couple of months ago, in December! His new wife, Juliana, is doing a postgraduate degree in Law at the University of Jos.

Matthew is one of a growing number of scholars that JSM-Langham is supporting to do their Ph.D.s in Majority World contexts.

Read more about Langham Preaching training in Nigeria
View the LPI  Nigeria photo gallery

Most Langham scholars’ eyes light up when they talk about their doctoral studies supported by a Langham Partnership International (LPI) grant. But Andrea Zaki Stephanous positively sparkles as he describes the difference it has made in his life. Andrea did his Ph.D. in Manchester, England, in the field of religion and politics. LPI International Director Chris Wright met him recently in his home country Egypt and asked him about it.

“My Ph.D. programme absolutely transformed my life,” Andrea began. “It was a paradigm shift for me. First it gave me a deep appreciation of the importance of education and adapting a proper scientific approach to problems. Secondly it equipped me with the skills I need in my role now. By the grace of God I serve in a top position in my church and country, and in that role I have to deal with intellectuals, with officials. I would not know how to do so without the experience and skills of the Ph.D. Thirdly it has empowered me in my job, as a professor, publisher, writer, speaker. I am invited both by the state and other organizations to give papers and presentations on a range of social and political issues as well as theological ones. Being academically equipped gives my church as a whole respect, in a culture where religious leaders are often despised as people of slogans only. Absolutely all my work as a leader in church, seminary, and society, has been transformed by the academic skills and challenges of the Ph.D. work.

“And yet at the same time, as you go through the Ph.D. you always affirm to yourself that you are a child in the world of learning. And even afterwards, I never feel that I am a ‘scholar’ – when you know how much there is that you don’t know! I don’t feel worthy of that title. There is still a very long way to go.”

So what exactly does Andrea do? Prepare to be astonished. He carries an amazing portfolio of responsibility. He described six of them.

• Director of Communications at The Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Service (CEOSS). Andrea was involved with CEOSS, working among the poor in squatter camps, since the 1980s. He now directs its publishing department, Dar El Thaqafa, producing books and multi-media resources not only for Egypt but the whole Arabic speaking world. In this role he is also involved as a resource person for inter-faith dialogue and peace-building and conflict resolution programmes for church leaders. This is Andrea’s main (and only salaried) job.

(shown: Two of the recently launched publications of Dar El Thaqafa: “The Arabic Contemporary Theology” (left), and “Salvation,” the sixth volume in the Global Christian Library.

• Professor at the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cairo. Andrea teaches at both undergraduate and graduate level on Religion and Politics, Theological Foundations for Social Change, and Inter-Faith Dialogue in the Middle East.

• TV Presenter: Andrea both writes and presents a weekly programme for SAT 7, which goes out across the Middle East, called, Without Embarrassment. Each programme features two guests – Christian and Muslim, discussing all issues imaginable, from religious violence to the resurrection of Jesus.

• Chair of the Council for Service and Development for the Synod of the Nile (the main Presbyterian church in Egypt). This works to empower local churches to be salt and yeast in society. He oversees the work of 10 staff, 500 volunteers and several major health, education and economic projects.

• Vice President of the Protestant Council of Egypt. There are 1,200 Protestant churches within this alliance, and its council functions not only as a forum for working together, and an authority structure, but also as a combined voice to the government. So Andrea needs great political wisdom as well as ecclesiastical diplomacy.

• International Deputy Director for the Middle East, for the Lausanne movement.

“And yet,” says Andrea, “I like to keep up my first love as a researcher and writer. This is a crucial part of what I do. I set aside time weekly for that. I have a nice office in my home where I do that. All of my children are at school or university, so everybody is studying and I am studying with my family around me!”

It would be hard to think of a better example of a rounded ministry of head, heart and hands, than the work of Langham Scholar, Andrea Zaki, in Egypt.

“I would not be as I am now without God’s grace and the support of Langham,” he concluded. “That is from my heart.”

Read more about Langham scholar Andrea’s work with the production of “Arabic Contemporary Theology”

View the LPI photo gallery of the January 2008 Egypt gatherings

There have been Arab believers since before the followers of Jesus were even called Christians (a nickname that was invented in Syria). They were there on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:10-11). And the Christian church has continued in the Middle East throughout the past two thousand years. Some of the rich tradition of Arabic Christian theological writings from a thousand years ago are being rediscovered today. But a distinctively evangelical Arabic Christian voice has not been heard addressing its own theological concerns in today’s world within significant book-size publications. Until this year.

(photo: “Arabic Contemporary Theology” at left, alongside an Arabic translation of Chris Wright’s “Salvation”)

January 2008 saw the launch of the “Arabic Contemporary Theology” (ACT). Beautifully produced as an A4-size textbook of 500 pages in two column Arabic, it is the fruit of a three-year project by a group of ten Arab Christian theologians in Egypt and Lebanon, some of whom are Langham scholars. From clear biblical foundations, it tackles some of the sharp issues that Christians face especially in the Middle East, including:

• How Arab Christians understand the Old Testament
• The Old Testament concepts of covenant and land
• The meaning of Jesus’ identity as a Jew
• Understanding prophetic texts in relation to religion and politics today
• Christianity and women
• Evangelical and ecumenical relations
• Salvation and other faiths
• Arab culture and identity and their theological challenges

(photo: “Arabic Contemporary Theology” contributors)

The book was launched at a three-day seminar at a coastal resort on the Red Sea (perhaps in the footsteps of Moses?), which brought together about 70 theologians, pastors and Christian leaders from various Protestant denominations in Egypt. Langham Partnership was invited to attend, since we have invested significantly in the project from its beginning, and so Chris Wright (International Director), and Pieter Kwant (International Programme Director for Langham Literature) were both pleased to participate, and Chris Wright was an invited speaker in some of the sessions.

The book is published by Dar El Thaqafa, which is the publishing arm of CEOSS, the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Service (founded in 1950 by Sami Habib). The Director of Dar El Thaqafa is Andrea Zaki Stephanous – a Langham scholar who has driven the whole project from the beginning.

A Dream Fulfilled

“The dream started when I was doing my Ph.D. as a Langham scholar in Manchester, England,” says Andrea. “My Ph.D. was about religion and politics, a theology of minorities. I realized it was so important for us as Arabs to have our own theology and understanding of the Bible. Originally we intended to produce an evangelical Arabic systematic theology. The only one we had before is about 150 years old, it is mostly translated, and not original. But the shocking fact is that there is no single evangelical Arab scholar in the region equipped to produce such a systematic theology alone. So the idea transformed into an Arabic contemporary theology.

(photo: Andrea Zaki Stephanous seated with his wife Hala, and Amani, manager of the Dar El Thaqafa publishing operation)

“We wanted to face a whole range of challenges that come from things like: our own Arab Christian identity; the existence of the state of Israel; political Islam, which wants to marginalize Christians; ecumenism and church divisions – Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant; the identity and role of women; salvation; inspiration of the Bible – Islamic or our own? So there are many challenges facing us, and there are lots of smaller articles and leaflets on these things, but no systematic treatment.

“It was a real challenge – even just to get us Arabs to work together! Part of our culture is that we easily disagree! We had tough deadlines, and of course some theological differences. But we agreed a clear theological framework and worked hard.

“Another objective was to pull together the Langham scholars in the region and help them not to feel alone, but to cooperate in a major project. That has been a blessing for all of us.”

First of Its Kind

“I hope this book will do for its readers what it has done for the participants in this seminar this week,” said Dr. Mary Mikhail, one of the contributors to the volume. Mary has been President of the Near East School of Theology, Beirut, Lebanon for the past 14 years and on its faculty since 1984, after years in IFES work in the Middle East.

“It is the first of its kind in this part of the world. It raises questions that we sometimes don’t want to face, and drives us back to the Bible to search for answers. And even when we don’t find easy answers, or don’t agree what they are, it keeps us asking and wrestling with important issues.”

Mary’s chapter is on “Women – in the Bible and Christianity and the Middle East Today.” “It is a privilege to be included,” she said, “for I do have something to say and a textbook like this will make so much more impact on the church than articles and leaflets. It will reach more people and help more people. One of the editors told me, ‘When I read what you wrote about Mary, I felt like I was frozen holding the paper.’ Another said, ‘Nobody has tried to interpret the Bible for us the way you did. You spoke to my heart. I felt included.’

“I know I am standing in a minefield, and that some of the other contributions will be controversial in this part of the world, too. But I hope the book will lead to a greater openness in the churches to read the Bible afresh. I chose to get involved in the project because it really is the first of its kind, and it is high time we produced some solid evangelical theology in the Arabic context – not just translations.”

Building a Different Environment

(photo: Nabil Abadir (left) with Andrea Stephanous at the launch of the “Arabic Contemporary Theology”)

Nabil Abadir is the Director of CEOSS, which is the umbrella Christian development agency under which Dar El Thaqafa functions. CEOSS is dedicated to blessing all the people of Egypt with the practical love of God that flows from the gospel. It serves among the most impoverished communities in health and literacy work, micro-enterprise, and sustainable development. CEOSS is also involved in cultural and inter-faith issues and stands in a high position of credibility and trust with the government as a result of 50 years of transparent integrity.

Nabil is delighted with the arrival of the ACT, and with the role of CEOSS in sponsoring it.

“It fits with all that CEOSS tries to do in building a different environment,” he said. “We live in the midst of a very tense situation here, and this book will help to develop new leaders who have a different attitude. Instead of an ignorant and aggressive stance, we want to relate to others in our country as human beings made in God’s image and sharing with us in God’s creation, and loved by God. We will want to develop forums for dialogue around the issues addressed in the book.

“This book comes at a very opportune time, in a region with such potential for causing world-wide trouble. We want to help Christians have the courage to develop positive programmes that build up society, to work with the rest of our society, and yet keep their Christian faith and identity very clear.”

A Very Practical Help
(photo:Basheer Anwar Nody)
But what about the ordinary pastor? Basheer Anwar Nody is pastor of a Coptic Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Gezer, Cairo, in the shadow of the pyramids. He felt that the contents of the book were addressing very crucial issues, but not in a merely academic way. The book would also be very helpful in all the practical matters that fill his life as a pastor, both in helping his own congregation, and in relating to the majority religious community around him and their spiritual leaders, and especially in the sphere of ministry he gives himself to most of all – peace-building and conflict resolution. He was very glad to be participating in the seminar.

The Dream Goes On

For Andrea, it is clear that this is just the start of the fulfilment of his dream.

“Our whole hope for a reference book like this is to create a debate, to open Arab Christians to the challenges around them, and to strengthen the church’s spiritual life,” Andrea said.

“But this book is not limited to the church alone. It is for Arab society – for Muslims and even Jews. I will be sending copies to intellectuals and some politicians even, to say, ‘Look how evangelical Arabs in your midst are thinking.’ We are saying, ‘Look, you have Arab Christians living among you. We are a minority, yes. But this minority is part of the region and they have their own theological understanding and identity. We are part of the region. We have our own cultural and social contribution to make. Please be aware that there is an evangelical voice, a faith, to be heard in this region.’

“We also hope that we can produce an English translation to make it available in the west,” Andrea continued. “I find some American and British Christians are astonished. They don’t know that there are so many Christians in Egypt and the Middle East. And they are your brothers and sisters, a solid community.”

The publication of the ACT is a vital first step, but only the first. Andrea and his colleagues are planning a 5 – 10 year programme. They plan further volumes in this series – an Arabic applied theology (addressing issues such as HIV-AIDS, the environment, nationalism, the arts, etc), another volume on theological issues not covered in the present volume (inspiration and authority of the Bible, the sacraments, inter-faith dialogue, etc), and eventually a full-blown Arabic systematic theology.

In addition, with Langham Literature’s further assistance, a five-volume “Arabic Contemporary Commentary” on the whole Bible is planned over the next 5-6 years. This will be a huge project. But Andrea is undaunted! And his confidence and competence combined with Langham’s continued investment and God’s gracious help, will bring it to fruition.

“Without the support of Langham Partnership and the help of God,” Andrea concluded, “this book would never have happened.”

Read more about Langham scholar Andrea Zaki Stephanous

View the LPI photo gallery of the January 2008 Egypt gatherings

It’s the third-largest country in Africa with an area the size of Western Europe and a population of 62 million people. Since 1964, it has changed its name three times, has experienced six or more wars and coups, and struggles with safety and stability. And with 80 percent of its citizens living in extreme poverty, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) certainly presents a challenging set of responsibilities for the local pastors.

In September 2007, DR Congo was one of four locations in the Francophone Africa region where Langham Preaching ran further seminars offering practical training to help pastors preach with faithfulness and relevance in a war-torn, poverty-stricken nation.

More than 150 participants attended preaching seminars (for training Levels 1 – 3) in Burundi, DR Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso, led by Langham Preaching facilitator Gordon Woolard. “In Congo we have eight Anglican dioceses participating,” said Gordon. “At least four of the dioceses have follow-up day workshops to discuss what they have learned in our seminars. And we are encouraging each diocese to form preachers clubs.”

DR Congo

The seminar program has been greeted with great appreciation, as it supports local pastors in dire need of proper biblical education and resources. In particular, the DR Congo preaching seminars have initiated future plans for locally based movements.

Muhindo Isesomo, country coordinator for the DR Congo, has realized firsthand the unique needs for the pastors in this area. The political unrest and lack of transportation have made it difficult to organize any training other than that conducted locally, by local pastors. And a woeful lack of resources means that sharing literature – to the point of sometimes tearing apart French Bibles so that several pastors can use them at the same time for sermons – is commonplace. Muhindo and others are set on organizing a “training of trainers” event – equipping graduates of Langham Preaching’s Level 3 training to conduct future training for pastors in their local towns and region. This particular plan for Langham-sponsored training has been successful in other countries, equipping pastors who might not otherwise receive any formal training.

“Basically, we are trying to identify a handful of people who, having completed the three levels, and who having understood the importance of preaching from Bible passages, could be trained to then develop Level 1 programs in their own region of town. We feel this would be really valuable, rather than having an expensive central program for a new Level 1. It pushes the training to a local level, which we think is a good idea,” Muhindo said.

Langham Preaching facilitators in Burundi

Burundi

In Burundi, Langham Preaching launched a new program with Level 1 training for 23 participants from six churches. The conference was translated for some participants from French into Kirundi, the native language for Burundi. 50 participants have since been divided into eight small clubs. Each group has a leader and they meet once a month. They review the Langham Preaching material and contribute to each other’s sermon content. Afterwards they will discuss how the sermon went.

All agreed that limiting the training to small groups was indeed the most effective method for maximum impact. But it did pose another issue: how to keep up with the growing demand for God’s Word in this area, especially with several different native languages present. “We are pleased to help our sisters and brothers to improve their preaching and the Langham Preaching system is appreciated by everyone who is following it,” said facilitator Florence Kamegeri.

Côte d’Ivoire

The last Langham Preaching training in Côte d’Ivoire encountered low attendance due to a national crisis, so this past September’s attendance of 33 was met with thanksgiving. This was also the third year for the training at Abidjan where previous Level 1 and 2 events were conducted. “I’m thankful that we had evangelicals from across the spectrum in attendance as well as several general secretaries from the Francophone International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) movement. Langham is getting to be well-known in other countries as the general secretaries return to their campuses across Africa,” said Gordon.

Burkina Faso

Preaching training was also successful in Burkina Faso, said National Committee Chairman Roland Tamini. “We have the idea to plan two review meetings this year, in January and in May,” he said. “We will also plan a weekend meeting for the pastors who came from outside of Ouagadougou. We also have the plan to create a network of groups of participants to do review of the material they’ve received.”

It’s clear that the training in the preaching movements is having a positive impact on the life of the church. “There were some British missionaries who had worked in Congo and had returned to England,” said Gordon. “They visited the Congo again and went to a church where the preacher had attended a Langham seminar. They asked afterwards where he had learned to preach this way, since they had never heard someone remain so close to the text of Scripture. I think this speaks well of the Langham Preaching material, and does credit to John Stott’s lifetime commitment to expository preaching.”

The countries in Francophone Africa are consistently listed by the United Nations as the “least livable” places to live in the world. * By God’s grace, through the pastors and their local congregations, Langham Preaching hopes to change those statistics by sustaining the preaching movements in all four countries in 2008, as well as developing a new program in another French-speaking country, Rwanda.

*UN Human Development Index, http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0778562.html

Visit the Francophone Africa photo gallery of events
Read Gordon Woolard’s report on Francophone Africa
Read the report on the Africa Preaching Consultation

“God seems nearer to a people when he speaks their language.”
–Augustine of Hippo

On November 18, 2007, in Dar Es Salaam, WordAlive Publishers officially announced the launch of the Africa Bible Commentary Kiswahili, in the Tanzanian market. This celebration marks the first of many translations for the first-ever single volume Bible commentary written by Africans, for Africans. It also marks the beginning of many milestones recently achieved on the ABC project:

1. ABC was written by African theologians for African pastors as a commentary on the whole Bible adding dozens of relevant articles on issues specific to the church in Africa. This volume will enter in Kiswahili a market of more than 50 million Swahili natives that has comparatively nothing for pastors in their language.

2. Langham Literature is funding the Kiswahili translation and production with USD $130,000 over three fiscal years (WordAlive publishers in Nairobi are managing the project and will cover printing and distribution). The final published work is due out in late 2009.

3. Langham with Serving In Mission (SIM) are sharing sponsorship of the ABC translation into Portuguese (total Langham commitment of USD $64,000 over two fiscal years) for Portuguese-speaking Africa plus Brazil, Portugal, etc. The project is underway and being managed by MundoCristao in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to be distributed in Africa by Langham and partners beginning 2010.

4. ABC English provides Western pastors and students of the Bible with unique and helpful reading on Scripture and issues in the church from an African perspective. The book has won honors in the Western publishing trade and its production was managed by Langham Literature International Director Pieter Kwant.

5. As of December 2007, the following translations for the Kiswahili edition have been completed:

• Joshua
• Judges
• Matthew
• Mark
• Luke
• James
• Titus
• Philemon
• All 70 Articles

Reviewers will begin looking at edited work in April 2008.
Read more about the launch of the Kiswahili edition of the Africa Bible Commentary

Langham Preaching is soon to enter its sixth year of operations, and is thankful for invitations to develop preaching programmes in over 70 countries around the world. It is presently actively involved in 30 countries, with plans to begin work in an additional 20 countries. In 2008, the first steps will be taken for the development of preaching training in some parts of the Russian Federation, including an initiative in Tatarstan for 30 local pastors and preachers. In addition, pioneer activity will begin through the Mekong Project, designed to equip small teams of trainers from countries such as Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. We also hope to see the launch of a small pilot project for Chinese pastors, which will be hosted in Hong Kong.

In response to invitations from a number of Pacific Islands, Langham Preaching is launching the first Pacific training programme in fellowship with leaders in Vanuatu. Plans are underway to invite over 50 pastors and lay preachers for a level 1 seminar, to be held March 25-28, 2008. Small delegations from Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Tonga will join the event. Our hope is that these delegations will with assistance from LPA be able to launch training initiatives on their own islands in due course. Langham Preaching is committed to work with national leaders in the development of indigenous preaching movements. The conducting of various preaching programmes are steps in the wider strategy of providing support, encouragement and training for pastors and lay preachers country by country. In addition to the three-level seminar programmes, in many countries small preachers clubs, regional networks, day workshops and provision of literature all support and encourage the commitment of pastors and lay preachers to Biblical preaching.

Facilitators for the 2008 event include David Cook, Principal of the Sydney Missionary and Bible College, who is regularly involved in the training of preachers, and Dr Chris Wright, International Director of Langham Partnership International. The event will be supported by Langham Australia, whose staff and Board members will also be closely linked to the developments in the Pacific in the years ahead. For the future, it is our objective to secure programme leaders from Australia and New Zealand to roll out the preaching programme. Langham Australia and Langham New Zealand will work in partnership to develop initiatives in other Pacific Island nations. Langham Literature will support the programme, not only through the provision of literature that is appropriate for each of the seminar levels, but also through the support of indigenous writers and publishers.

–Jonathan Lamb, International Programme Director, Langham Preaching

The Langham Partnership Regional Council for Southern Africa met for the first time in September in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Representatives came from Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Among them were Langham scholars, including Fidelis Nkomazana and Lazarus Phiri. For them, it was a time of re-union, and re-connection with Langham after (for Fidelis) more than a decade of serving back in their home countries.

Fidelis Nkomazana completed his doctorate in Church History under Professor Andrew Walls in Edinburgh in 1993, and warmly remembers the fellowship and support he received from Charlotte Chapel. Since then he has been teaching in Botswana University, and is now Head of Department of Religious Studies. That, however, is only part of his many-sided ministry as a significant evangelical leader there. He is on the board of the Prison Fellowship, contributing to its ministry of rehabilitation and help for prisoners. He leads youth camps and speaks in schools with Scripture Union. He has written a whole series of textbooks for Religious Education and runs a programme of training for Sunday school teachers.

Fidelis is certainly a Langham Scholar making a difference! He found the Regional Council a great experience of fellowship with others in the region, and was appointed to its Executive Committee as Secretary and Co-ordinator for the regional Fellowship of Langham Scholars.

Fidelis Nkomazana, Langham Scholar, with Mark Hunt, Chair of the Langham Partnership International Council.	LP Regional Council, Southern Africa.

Evangelical support. The Regional Council was an opportunity for Mark Hunt (LPI Chair), Gene Green (a member of the Scholar Committee of John Stott Ministries in the U.S.) and Chris Wright to visit the Evangelical Seminary of Southern Africa (ESSA), with Bill Houston, former Vice-Principal. ESSA runs a post-graduate seminar for evangelical students studying at Masters and Doctorate level in the Theology Department of the nearby University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, in Pietermaritzburg. This group includes some Langham Scholars, and we are grateful for the fellowship and encouragement they receive from ESSA in this way. It was encouraging for Langham staff and board members to meet with Scholars during one of their seminars. Afterwards the group were very impressed with a visit to the ESSA library, which (partly with support from Langham Literature) is one of the best-equipped seminary libraries in Southern Africa.

Meeting with the post-graduate seminar at ESSA. Standing back row are: Chris Wright, Mark Hunt, Gene Green and Bill Houston	Abiola, Langham Scholar from Nigeria tudying in Pietermaritzburg, with Gene Green (JSM Scholar Committee).

In preparation for Lausanne 2010 in South Africa, the Lausanne Theology Working Group is focusing on the core ‘slogan’ of Lausanne. The Lausanne Covenant (1974) defined ‘evangelization’ as  ‘the whole church taking the whole gospel to the whole world’.  This has ensured that the explicit theology of mission within the Lausanne movement has been integral and holistic.  However, while the slogan has a rich resonance and an obvious meaning and appeal, we cannot claim that we have fully explored the depth of what is entailed by each of the three phrases. In presenting this plan to the leadership of Lausanne, I added the following statement:

We also need to make sure we also use the whole Bible.  For holistic theology and practice of mission require a holistic understanding and use of the Bible. The Bible shows us God’s priorities and passions.  The Bible as a whole shows us God’s heart:

•    For the last and the least (socially, culturally and economically) as well as the lost (spiritually)
•    For those dying of hunger, AIDS, and war, as well as those who are dying in their sins
•    For the landless, homeless, family-less and stateless as well as for those who are without Christ, without God and without hope in the world.

The God who commands us to disciple all nations also commands us to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. We still struggle to ‘relate’ these things to one another when we ought never to have split them apart in the first place. But sadly we did. We have been guilty of putting asunder what God has joined together. Lausanne, in its commitment to holistic mission, believes in the integration of all these things because anything less is untrue to the Bible.

The Lausanne Covenant speaks of ‘the entirety’ of the Scriptures, and about ‘all that it affirms’. May God protect us from selective hermeneutics, from polarized priorities and from segmented perceptions of the gospel.  My big concern is not just that the world church should become more evangelical, but that world evangelicals should become more biblical.

To be biblical is also to be prophetic. And most of what the prophets had to say was addressed, not to the world of outside nations (though they did have words for them), but to the people of God themselves.  The prophets confronted Old Testament Israel and demanded that they change their ways, if they were to have any hope of fulfilling their mission of being a light to the nations and a blessing on the earth. The dominant prophetic call was to repentance among God’s people, so that God could get on with the job of blessing the world.

Just as much today we need repentance and renewal in the church, as well as renewed passion for world mission.  Otherwise, the church may become, as the Lausanne Covenant puts it, “a stumbling block to evangelism when it betrays the Gospel”.  Arguably, in some respects and in some places it has already become exactly that.

Indeed, my hope for Cape Town 2010 is that it would launch and foster nothing less than a 21st Century Reformation – among evangelicals, who need it as much as any other Christian bloc.

For there are scandals and abuses in the world-wide evangelical community that are reminiscent of the worst features of the pre-reformation medieval church in Europe.
•    There are some mega leaders, like ancient prelates, wielding vast wealth, power and control – unaccountable, unattractive and unChristlike
•    There are multitudes of ordinary Christians going to so-called evangelical churches, where they never hear the Bible preached or taught. They live in scandalous biblical ignorance.
•    Instead they are offered, in the ‘prosperity gospel’ a form of 21st century indulgences, except that you pay your money not for release from pains after death, but for receipt of material ‘blessings’ here and now.
•    And there are evangelicals parading ungodly alliances with secular power – political, economic and military – identifying themselves (and the gospel they claim to preach) with  agendas and ideologies that reflect human empire not the kingdom of God in Christ.

Will we have the courage to identify and renounce such scandals and to seek a reformation of heart, mind and practice?

The 16th Century Reformation was criticized because it lacked missionary awareness and energy until much later. They were so obsessed with tackling abuses in the church that they neglected world mission.   How ironic and tragic will it be if 21st Century evangelicals are so obsessed with world mission that we neglect abuses in the church, and remain wilfully blind to our own idolatries and syncretism?

•    If reformation without mission was defective,
•    then mission without reformation will be deluded, self-defeating and even dangerous.

The Lausanne Covenant, like the Bible itself, commits us to the integration of both. May God grant us the will and humility to respond with equal commitment.

by Chris Wright, Langham Partnership International Director

Many of you know the problem of wearing several hats, bearing different responsibilities. I can sympathize. As well as my role in LPI, I am also the Chair of the Lausanne Theology Working Group. This takes up only a small fraction of my time, but I believe it contributes to a movement that is resurgent and making a renewed impact on the world church, and I would like to tell you a bit about it.

The LTWG has a steering committee of about 10 people, a core membership of around 20, and its working consultations usually bring together between 25-30 people. These are men and women from all around the world, with proven commitment to biblical and evangelical theology and missional engagement.

Under the leadership of Doug Birdsall and Lindsay Brown, Lausanne is moving forward. Lausanne is planning a third major congress in Cape Town, South Africa, in October 2010. If you want to check out the plans for that, here is the URL.

http://www.lausanne.org/cape-town-2010/cape-town-2010.html

In preparation for this, the LTWG is focusing on the core ‘slogan’ of Lausanne. The Lausanne Covenant (1974) defined ‘evangelization’ as ‘the whole church taking the whole gospel to the whole world’. This has ensured that the explicit theology of mission within the Lausanne movement has been integral and holistic.

Accordingly, the LTWG, will be tackling these themes in the following order:

• The Whole Gospel February 2008
• The Whole Church January 2009
• The Whole World February 2010

However, while the slogan has a rich resonance and an obvious meaning and appeal, we cannot claim that we have fully explored the depth of what is entailed by each of the three phrases. (Read Chris’ additional statements.)

I encourage you to keep informed about developments in the Lausanne movement and to pray for the plans for Cape Town 2010.

Warm greetings and blessings in Christ,

Chris Wright

Chris Wright with a group of Langham-related participants at the OCI Institute of Excellence

For many years the Langham Partnership has enjoyed collaborating with the Overseas Council International and its linked movements around the world in helping to resource theological education in the majority world. As part of its efforts in this direction, OCI holds ‘Institutes of Excellence’ for seminary faculty and administrators in different regions. But this year for the first time it held one for all the Principals of their partner seminaries all around the world. So, about 100 Principals from every continent converged on a mountainside retreat centre near Frankfurt for a week in September.

Chris Wright was invited to participate in this, not only to represent LPI, but also as one of those asked to bring Bible expositions to the conference. Chris writes of his experience:

“If the concept of a grand party for theologians does not sound too much of a contradiction in terms, this was it! It was like being among a huge gang of friends from all over the world – including some whom I taught when they were students at UBS in India, but are now heading up theological institutions themselves. This great network of seminaries is, of course, part of our own natural Langham constituency, and it was wonderful to ‘piggy-back’ on this OCI event and meet so many Principals in one place for a few days.

Ivor Poorbalan, Principal, Colombia Theological Seminary, Sri Lanka, with Ashish Chrispal, Langham Scholar and Regional Director for Asia, OCI

Out of the 100 or so present, around 20 had direct connections with LPI – either as Langham Scholars (past, present, and hopefully future), or as members of Langham Partnership Regional Councils. We had rich conversations and many reminiscences. It is so rewarding particularly to meet Langham Scholars in these positions of senior leadership.

During the week at Frankfurt, another seminal project was birthed. As Langham friends know, we now invest in supporting Scholars at doctoral programmes outside the West – in Africa, Asia, Central Europe, and Latin America. The big question, however, is: how can we and they be assured that the programmes they develop have that quality of excellence that makes them truly worthy of doctoral degree status? And who defines what ‘excellence’ means in new contexts? We do not want simply to transplant ancient western models and criteria in contexts where they are not culturally appropriate. Yet there must be some internationally recognizable standard that is not merely culture-relative.

Ashkenaz Asif Khan, Principal, Zaraphath Bible Institute

A small group got together from OCI (David Baer, President), Langham Partnership (myself), and ICETE (the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education – Paul Sanders, Director), and set up a project to research this issue and come up with acceptable guidelines and criteria for ‘excellence in doctoral programmes’ – with particular focus on emerging majority world initiatives. It will build on the consultation for doctoral level theological education held in August at the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology, and Douglas Carew (President of NEGST, and Langham Scholar) was also part of the planning group. It is exciting for me to see this development, since I called for something like it at a meeting of ICETE in High Wycombe four years ago, and then again in Chiang Mai last year! It’s good to be doing this in a triangular partnership and it should be of enormous benefit globally as such doctoral initiatives are expanding all the time.

Among other highlights of the week were the lively (‘highly entertaining’ would be more accurate) addresses by Luis Palau on evangelism and theological education, and a river cruise on the Rhine followed by a visit to the majestic Cologne Cathedral that took 600 years to build. In that vast edifice, monument to a Christendom of the past, it was exciting to reflect on the ‘human cathedral’ that our little international group constituted, shaping what kind of future? Not a new Christendom, but certainly a new era in world Christianity.”

Listen now (approx. 28 minutes)

(this broadcast is reproduced with the permission of Trans-World Radio)

Order From Why to Worship: Habakkuk

Over the past 3 years the Kenyan preaching movement has been growing steadily, not least through the sustained training of the annual seminar programme hosted by St Paul’s College in Limuru, through the help of Dr. Esther Mombo. This August 119 participants came from all over Kenya, with 33 attending for the first time, 53 returning for a second level of training, and another 33 returning for the third level of training.

Alongside the seminar programme, the preaching movement encourages local initiatives, through small preachers’ clubs and day workshops.

For this, the fourth seminar at St Paul’s, Biblical exposition was modelled as the book of Ruth was taught each morning. Participants at each level were helped to see the importance of studying the Scripture in its context, understanding its meaning for the first hearers, and then building the bridge from the Biblical world to their contemporary world.

There were very encouraging comments from some of the preachers : ‘I am learning so much and I want to go back now and practise what I have learned.’ One pastor said, ‘I used to preach whatever I wanted, but now I know how to find out what the Bible is saying and how to preach that.’

As a large African country with a strong Christian community, Kenya benefits from several training initiatives for pastors and preachers, not simply the programme organised by Langham Preaching, and there is growing integration between these various projects.

Plans are underway to develop a training of trainers consultation in 2008, which will equip a small team to develop more Langham Preaching Level 1 regional training programmes supported by the local churches, and thus to extend the impact of the preaching movement around the country.

2nd Sept What about Suffering and Evil? (Job 24:1-12)
9th Sept What about the Canaanites? (Deuteronomy 9:1-6)
16th Sept What about the End of the World? (Revelation 20-22)

The ABC Kiswahili project launched in August of this year, starting the process for translating the entire ABC into Kiswahili. Langham Partnership International is supporting WordAlive Publishers in Nairobi who is managing the work and plans to publish in mid-2009. Langham Literature also supported the intense, hands-on training of Paul Karaimu, a key editor with the project.

“The publication of the ABC was long overdue and that it has become a vital resource for pastors, in churches, homes and theological institutions,” said David Waweru of WordAlive, who is heading up the translation project. “We have seen a trend in which many institutions purchase the commentary for their graduating classes. Many copies have also been purchased by missionaries based in Africa hoping to understand the African point of view and perspectives in the interpretation of the biblical text and contemporary issues.”

Paul Karaimu is a contributing editor/manager for the ABC Kiswahili project.

David said that the encouragement and financial support by LPI has helped to define a definite timetable on the project and get the work started. Kiswahili is the most widely spoken language in Africa with an estimated 90 million speakers; it is also among the least resourced of the major languages. The ABC Kiswahili is a long-awaited drink of cold water for Kiswahili-speaking church, as it will utterly surpass all else available.

A translation team comprised of seven people at the Masters and Ph.D. levels from both Tanzania and Kenya have started the project, including Dr. Aloo Mojola, one of the most experienced Bible translation consultants in Africa. The translation will take 20 months with plans to print in between 10,000 and 15,0000 copies in June/July 2009. There are plans to launch the translation in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in September 2009.

“The wide acclaim of the Africa Bible Commentary across the continent (and the world), the enthusiastic reception and acceptance by pastors, Bible students and Christians has given us greater boldness to have the ABC translated in Kiswahili,” said David.

David Waweru of Word Alive Publishers will head up the ABC Kiswahili project.

Several language translations are planned, including French, Portuguese, Amharic and Kiswahili, in order that most Africans can be served. LPI is partnering with Serving In Mission (SIM) to bring a Portuguese edition (which is requested also in Brazil) and an additional $50,000 investment is needed. The next opportunity for the ABC is the possible production of a Study Bible — distilling the whole ABC into notes, and setting them with the entire Scriptural text.

Read  some recent reviews of the ABC:
Amazon.com
Redcliffe College
TheologicalResearch.org (.pdf format)

Langham Partnership International was one of the primary funders of a landmark consultation for faculty development and doctoral training in Africa held this August. Held by Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST), it was hosted by the leadership of NEGST, the Faculté de Théologie Évangélique de Bangui (FATEB) and the Accrediting Council for Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA). This upbeat, collegial consultation was conceived, planned, and delivered almost exclusively by Africans. It was by Africans for Africa. Whereas many “muzungu” (a.k.a. expatriate; ghostlike) expressed their forceful desires to participate, the consultation leadership doggedly limited the number to 40 with one westerner from each funding organization. Therefore, I was one of only six muzungu and the only woman. I was proud to represent Langham when Douglas Carew of NEGST challenged the participants of the female leadership void!

Langham scholars were well represented in this select group: Douglas Carew, Tewoldmedhin Habtu, Edison Kalengyo, Henry Mutua, Moussa Bongoyok, Zac Niringiye, and Jehu Hanciles. Of particular note was the plenary speaker, Dr. Andrew Walls. The discussion around his two deliveries was worth the price of the ticket alone.

Statement of Need

As the growth of African Christianity outpaces that of many other geographical areas of the world, the theological and educational needs within the African church are rising. Furthermore as the church grows, African church leaders are increasingly thrust into greater leadership roles. Leaders in African theological institutions must plan, in a concerted and collaborative manner, how to meet burgeoning educational needs. Theological institutions in Africa face significant obstacles in providing quality education and learning opportunities. One such problem is the “brain drain” as many of the best scholars and leaders in Africa are trained at great cost but attracted to service outside the continent. In addition, theological institutions have been forced to operate in relative isolation and independence due to the difficulty of communication and travel. Limited resources have also prevented adequate execution. But the development of travel and the internet have created opportunities for theological institutions and funding ministries to create networks for collaboration and consider innovative solutions.

This Consultation was convened in light of this new day for theological education and provided a forum for representatives of leading evangelical theological institutions in Africa, prominent church leaders, scholars, and key supporting agencies to collaborate by defining the needs for faculty development and evangelical training at doctoral levels in Africa. Participants strategized together on ways to meet these needs within Africa. As result, a Blueprint for Evangelical Doctoral Education in Africa was produced.

The goals were:

1) to create an ongoing collaborative network of theological institutions offering or hoping to offer doctoral level training.

2) to spearhead a plan for providing faculty development and doctoral level training in Africa.

3) to create the Blueprint for Evangelical Doctoral Training in Africa.

The discussion topics were:

1. The underlying philosophy of missiologically-based doctoral level theological education and the rationale for developing these doctoral programs in Africa.

2. The challenges and solutions found for developing distinctive programs that are sensitive to African social realities.

3. The need for collaboration, rather than competition, between African theological educational institutions.

4. Program delivery options, including modular courses and distance learning, dissertation only/course work and dissertation, etc.

5. Options for theological education in national universities in Africa (Stellenbosch, Potchefstroom, University of Cape Town, University of Pretoria, UNISA, universities in Kenya or Nigeria).

6. Evaluating the value of linking with Western institutions.

7. Positions, assumptions, ethos, and outcomes in defining curriculum of relevance to the African Church.

8. Opportunities for presenting each participating institutions’ dreams, program, and plans.

Blueprint for Evangelical Doctoral Training in Africa

The Blueprint for Evangelical Doctoral Training in Africa will serve as the starting point for future meetings and collaborations ahead. This is the good news. This Consultation was not perceived as an end-game. It was heralded as a prompt to launch, even provoke, collaborative efforts. Let us pray this will be the beginning of the end for independent competitive ventures for theological education in Africa. Let us pray this will be a witness to the Church. Let us pray the western theological institutions will be willing to provide complementary service which will further inspire teamwork for the gospel. Let us also pray this venture will serve as a model for doctoral education on other continents. It was a privilege to participate in this Consultation.

Participants:
Institutions represented were:
Africa Nazarene University (Nigeria)
Akrofi-Christaller (Ghana)
EGST (Ethiopia)
FATEB (Central African Republic)
FATEAC (Côte d’Ivoire)
George Whitfield College (South Africa)
JETS (Nigeria)
NEGST (Kenya)
Nigerian Baptist Seminary (Nigeria)
South Africa Theological Seminary (South Africa)
Scott Theological College (Kenya)
TCCA (Zambia)
Uganda Christian University (Uganda)

Recent reports from Igor Amestigui, the Langham Preaching Regional Facilitator for Latin America (Langham Predicación America Latina), bring encouraging news of the growth of preaching schools in Bolivia.

During August, three schools of expository preaching started, in addition to the one which was launched the previous month. Intriguingly, one of these preaching schools is taking place in Cochabamba prison. Pastor Cesar Alba suggested starting the preachers’ club during one of his regular visits to prisoners. ‘They accepted joyfully’, writes Igor, ‘and also have the permission from the prison authorities.’

On August 25th, at the monthly meeting of the Cochabamba preachers’ school, 14 participants received their certificates following the completion of the first level of training. And the first national meeting of the Schools of Preaching has just drawn to a close, led by Igor and with lectures from Jorge Atiencia from Colombia, which attracted wide interest, not only from throughout Bolivia, but also with delegates from Peru, Ecuador and Chile.

Igor, appointed this past June, is also continuing to work in close fellowship with country coordinators in various Latin American countries where preaching movements are already underway, as well as linking with interested leaders where work is yet to be established.

In these and many other ways, we trust that the truth of the gospel will truly set people free – whether they are in prison or not!

(London, UK) This summer saw the publishing of 5 significant theological books which will help Arabic church leaders. The Arabic Global Christian Library consists of 5 titles including: Evangelical Truth, Hope for the World, The Human Condition, A Time for Mission and The Bible and Other Faiths.This has been an ambitious project funded by The Langham Partnership and undertaken by Dar El Thaqafa Communications House. It will not only affect the material read by laymen but will also make a significant contribution to the theological discussion amongst Arab Christian leaders and pastors in the Middle East as they engage with their local cultures.

Today, roughly 10% of the population in Egypt is Christian, the majority belonging to the Coptic Orthodox Church. There is approximately half a million Christian Protestants experiencing persecution and needing leaders who are well equipped to handle the adverse situation faced by Christians today. In most of these issues faced in the Arab world, the strong evangelical vision is absent on both the theological and societal levels. Therefore, issuing and distributing books tackling these issues to theology students, scholars and a number of influential church leaders in the Arab world will help them adopt a new Christian vision which will help to develop their theological understanding. These books may also initiate debates around the issues they tackle in churches and church activities.

The Global Christian Library will be offered to the public at very low prices as well as being distributed to 500 known theology students and theologians in order to equip them with theological materials that would in turn raise their theological awareness and thereby contribute to their theological understanding.

By Jonathan Lamb
Langham Partnership International Program Director, Preaching

“Rescue today’s pulpit” – this is the dramatic call from Christian leaders in Central America. El Salvador – ‘the Saviour’ in Spanish – is a country with a rapidly expanding evangelical community, and with an urgent need for the strengthening of teaching in the local churches.

To this end, the second consultation for Bible expositors was held in the city of San Salvador, August 13-15 2007, tackling the theme of ‘Bible Exposition: The Bridge Between the Word and Life’. More than 120 pastors and lay preachers worked on themes associated with the proper handling of the Biblical text and the challenge of speaking pastorally to today’s generation. Four agencies worked in partnership to make the conference possible. Trainers included Daniel Salinas and Milton Acosta, two Latin American Langham Preaching facilitators and members of the Langham Partnership Regional Council. They were joined by colleagues from the Theological Fraternity of Latin America and World Vision, who also supported the event.

Milton Acosta described how there are all sorts of theologies in Central America – fundamentalist, prosperity, leftist and others – many of which were represented at the conference. ‘But I could see how all of them were willing to listen and were interested in learning’, he said. ‘More than ever, I am convinced that Bible exposition is one of the key elements for the hope of a better future for the evangelical church in Latin America’. Daniel Salinas explained that the San Salvador project was a potential model for other countries in Central America. ‘There were observers from Honduras, who plan to have something similar next year.’

The Latin American preaching movements are growing steadily, and we are very thankful for the help of Igor Amestegui, the newly appointed Regional Facilitator for Langham Preaching in Latin America, who will be able to strengthen the networking between the various Preaching movements across the continent, as well as with the wider Langham Preaching programme around the world.

The local coordinating team stated ‘We are confident that this event has been a blessing for the evangelical church in El Salvador. We thank God for the support of those who reaffirm the need to rescue today’s pulpits’.

I remember very vividly, some years ago, that the question which perplexed me as a younger Christian (and some of my friends as well) was this: what is God’s purpose for His people? Granted that we have been converted, granted that we have been saved and received new life in Jesus Christ, what comes next? Of course, we knew the famous statement of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: that man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever: we knew that, and we believed it. We also toyed with some briefer statements, like one of only five words – love God, love your neighbour. But somehow neither of these, nor some others that we could mention, seemed wholly satisfactory. So I want to share with you where my mind has come to rest as I approach the end of my pilgrimage on earth and it is – God wants His people to become like Christ. Christlikeness is the will of God for the people of God.

So if that is true, I am proposing the following: first to lay down the biblical basis for the call to Christlikeness: secondly, to give some New Testament examples of this; thirdly, to draw some practical conclusions. And it all relates to becoming like Christ.

So first is the biblical basis for the call to Christlikeness. This basis is not a single text: the basis is more substantial than can be encapsulated in a single text. The basis consists rather of three texts which we would do well to hold together in our Christian thinking and living: Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18 and 1 John 3:2. Lets look at these three briefly.

Romans 8:29 reads that God has predestined His people to be conformed to the image of His Son: that is, to become like Jesus. We all know that when Adam fell he lost much – though not all – of the divine image in which he had been created. But God has restored it in Christ. Conformity to the image of God means to become like Jesus: Christlikeness is the eternal predestinating purpose of God.

My second text is 2 Corinthians 3:18: ‘And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness, from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.’ So it is by the indwelling Spirit Himself that we are being changed from glory to glory – it is a magnificent vision. In this second stage of becoming like Christ, you will notice that the perspective has changed from the past to the present, from God’s eternal predestination to His present transformation of us by the Holy Spirit. It has changed from God’s eternal purpose to make us like Christ, to His historical work by His Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Jesus.

That brings me to my third text: 1 John 3:2. ‘Beloved, we are God’s children now and it does not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he appears, we will be like him, for we shall see him as he is.’ We don’t know in any detail what we shall be in the last day, but we do know that we will be like Christ. There is really no need for us to know any more than this. We are content with the glorious truth that we will be with Christ, like Christ, for ever.

Here are three perspectives – past, present and future. All of them are pointing in the same direction: there is God’s eternal purpose, we have been predestined; there is God’s historical purpose, we are being changed, transformed by the Holy Spirit; and there is God’s final or eschatalogical purpose, we will be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. All three, the eternal, the historical and the eschatalogical, combine towards the same end of Christlikeness. This, I suggest, is the purpose of God for the people of God. That is the biblical basis for becoming like Christ: it is the purpose of God for the people of God.

I want to move on to illustrate this truth with a number of New Testament examples. First, I think it is important for us to make a general statement, as the apostle John does in 1 John 2:6: ‘he who says he abides in Christ ought to walk in the same way as he walked.’ In other words, if we claim to be a Christian, we must be Christlike. Here is the first New Testament example: we are to be like Christ in his Incarnation.

Some of you may immediately recoil in horror from such an idea. Surely, you will say to me, the Incarnation was an altogether unique event and cannot possibly be imitated in any way? My answer to that question is yes and no. Yes, it was unique, in the sense that the Son of God took our humanity to himself in Jesus of Nazareth, once and for all and forever, never to be repeated. That is true. But there is another sense in which the Incarnation was not unique: the amazing grace of God in the Incarnation of Christ is to be followed by all of us. The Incarnation, in that sense, was not unique but universal. We are all called to follow the example of His great humility in coming down from heaven to earth. So Paul could write in Philippians 2:5-8: ‘Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God some thing to be grasped for his own selfish enjoyment, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.’ We are to be like Christ in his Incarnation in the amazing self-humbling which lies behind the Incarnation.

Secondly, we are to be like Christ in His service. We move on now from his Incarnation to His life of service; from His birth to His life, from the beginning to the end. Let me invite you to come with me to the upper room where Jesus spent his last evening with His disciples, recorded in John’s gospel chapter 13: ‘He took off his outer garments, he tied a towel round him, he poured water into a basin and washed his disciples’ feet. When he had finished, he resumed his place and said, “If then I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet, for I have given you an example’ – notice the word – ‘ that you should do as I have done to you.’

Some Christians take Jesus’ command literally and have a foot-washing ceremony in their Lord’s Supper once a month or on Maundy Thursday – and they may be right to do it. But I think most of us transpose Jesus’ command culturally: that is just as Jesus performed what in His culture was the work of a slave, so we in our cultures must regard no task too menial or degrading to undertake for each other.

Thirdly, we are to be like Christ in His love. I think particularly now of Ephesians 5:2 – ‘walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.’ Notice that the text is in two parts. The first part is walk in love, an injunction that all our behaviour should be characterised by love, but the second part of the verse says that He gave Himself for us, which is not a continuous thing but an aorist, a past tense, a clear reference to the cross. Paul is urging us to be like Christ in his death, to love with self-giving Calvary love. Notice what is developing: Paul is urging us to be like the Christ of the Incarnation, to be like the Christ of the foot washing and to be like the Christ of the cross. These three events of the life of Christ indicate clearly what Christlikeness means in practice.

Fourthly, we are to be like Christ in His patient endurance. In this next example we consider not the teaching of Paul but of Peter. Every chapter of the first letter of Peter contains an allusion to our suffering like Christ, for the background to the letter is the beginnings of persecution. In chapter 2 of 1 Peter in particular, Peter urges Christian slaves, if punished unjustly, to bear it and not to repay evil for evil. For, Peter goes on, you and we have been called to this because Christ also suffered, leaving us an example – there is that word again – so that we may follow in His steps. This call to Christlikeness in suffering unjustly may well become increasingly relevant as persecution increases
in many cultures in the world today.

My fifth and last example from the New Testament is that we are to be like Christ in His mission. Having looked at the teaching of Paul and Peter, we come now to the teaching of Jesus recorded by John. In John 20:21, in prayer, Jesus said ‘As you, Father, have sent me into the world, so I send them into the world’ – that is us. And in his commissioning in John 17 he says ‘As the Father sent me into the world, so I send you.’ These words are immensely significant. This is not just the Johannine version of the Great Commission but it also an instruction that their mission in the world was to resemble Christ’s mission. In what respect? The key words in these texts are ‘sent into the world’. As Christ had entered our world, so we are to enter other people’s worlds. It was eloquently explained by Archbishop Michael Ramsey some years ago: ‘We state and commend the faith only in so far as we go out and put ourselves with loving sympathy inside the doubts of the doubters, the questions of the questioners and the loneliness of those who have lost the way.’

This entering into other people’s worlds is exactly what we mean by incarnational evangelism. All authentic mission is incarnational mission. We are to be like Christ in his mission. These are the five main ways in which we are to be Christlike: in His Incarnation, in His service, in His love, in His endurance and in His mission.

Very briefly, I want to give you three practical consequences of Christlikeness.

Firstly, Christlikeness and the mystery of suffering. Suffering is a huge subject in itself and there are many ways in which Christians try to understand it. One way stands out: that suffering is part of God’s process of making us like Christ. Whether we suffer from a disappointment, a frustration or some other painful tragedy, we need to try to see this in the light of Romans 8:28-29. According to Romans 8:28, God is always working for the good of his people, and according to Romans 8:29, this good purpose is to make us like Christ.

Secondly, Christlikeness and the challenge of evangelism. Why is it, you must have asked, as I have, that in many situations our evangelistic efforts are often fraught with failure? Several reasons may be given and I do not want to over-simplify but one main reason is that we don’t look like the Christ we are proclaiming. John Poulton, who has written about this in a perceptive little book entitled A today sort of evangelism, wrote this:

‘The most effective preaching comes from those who embody the things they are saying. They are their message. Christians need to look like what they are talking about. It is people who communicate primarily, not words or ideas. Authenticity gets across. deep down in side people, what communicates now is basically personal authenticity.’

That is Christlikeness. Let me give you another example. There was a Hindu professor in India who once identified one of his students as a Christian and said to him: ‘If you Christians lived like Jesus Christ, India would be at your feet tomorrow.’ I think India would be at their feet today if we Christians lived like Christ. From the Islamic world, the Reverend Iskandar Jadeed, a former Arab Muslim, has said ‘If all Christians were Christians – that is, Christlike – there would be no more Islam today.’

That brings me to my third point – Christlikeness and the indwelling of the Spirit. I have spoken much tonight about Christlikeness but is it attainable? In our own strength it is clearly not attainable but God has given us his Holy Spirit to dwell within us, to change us from within. William Temple, Archbishop in the 1940s, used to illustrate this point from Shakespeare:

‘It is no good giving me a play like Hamlet or King Lear and telling me to write a play like that. Shakespeare could do it – I can’t. And it is no good showing me a life like the life of Jesus and telling me to live a life like that. Jesus could do it – I can’t. But if the genius of Shakespeare could come and live in me, then I could write plays like this. And if the Spirit could come into me, then I could live a life like His.’

So I conclude, as a brief summary of what we have tried to say to one another: God’s purpose is to make us like Christ. God’s way to make us like Christ is to fill us with his Spirit. In other words, it is a Trinitarian conclusion, concerning the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

To facilitate the development of preaching movements, Langham Preaching is pleased to announce the appointment of Igor Amestegui as the Regional Facilitator for Latin America. The role of the Regional Facilitator is to encourage the development of national preaching movements in the countries of Latin America, serving existing ministries and supporting the development of new initiatives.

Igor and his wife, Charito, have three children, and live in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Igor trained as a psychologist and served as the General Secretary of Communidad Cristiana Universitaria (the IFES related student ministry in Bolivia) for 15 years. More recently, Igor has worked as a professor at the university and as a psychologist in private practice. Significantly, he has been very involved in the emergence of the preaching movement in Bolivia, encouraging ‘escuelitas de formacion de expositores Biblicos’ (small schools for the training of Bible expositors), both in his own church and more widely in the training of pastors and leaders in the city of Cochabamba. Igor works in fellowship with CCM in the preaching training programme, and has close contact with other Latin American countries which have begun training initiatives, including the ministry initiated by Jorge Atiencia in Colombia.

Igor and Charito are in the process of becoming affiliated to the Latin Link team in Bolivia, but Igor will be working full time to support and develop the indigenous preaching movements, in fellowship with national leaders country by country, and in liaison with Langham America Latina. He will be part of the team of Langham Partnership International, working alongside colleagues around the world who share his vision for the growth of a new generation of Bible expositors worldwide.

Visit the Langham Preaching section of the Langham Partners International Web site for more information.

How the Father Brings Near the Ones Who Are Far

On my first outreach to women in prostitution, I was forced to confront humanity. This is a humanity completely hidden from daylight and regular life, a humanity that has no point of contact with me, a humanity so separate and foreign that if it ceased to exist, I would not be affected nor would they be affected had I not existed. But these two worlds were somehow brought together in a city, a certain street, in the night, forced to decide what to do with each other. This humanity stood before me in an anorexic body, a short skirt, and a forced smile. If I may equate this experience with something, it is like walking in a forest and you are confronted with a wild creature that you’ve never seen before. You are then faced with three options: to run away from it, to conquer it, or to befriend it. After that first encounter, I was no longer the same.

Identifying with Strangers
I had studied biblical anthropology but I was never forced to look at it, literally, in the eye. These women embody a variety of categories found in Scripture: the stranger, the poor, the orphan, the slave. It is this strangeness which forces you to act out your biblical anthropology. It is this reaction before the absolute foreigner that reveals your own identity. The ultimate test is to identify your story with the stranger’s, to re-read your past and search your own story until you find this stranger somewhere in there. See him or her in you. Your identity is revealed in your encounter with the stranger; that is the moment that you know where you come from: whether you come from a Father who brings near the ones who are far off or not.

“Human traffic” is another way of saying “slavery.” There is the master/trafficker who moves his/her slaves around, locks them in houses, and lets them go out only for work. We get glimpses of them in the streets; every minute we get is precious, every hug we give them is eternal, every smile will last them through that night.

How much truth can you speak in a minute to displace the lies of a lifetime? How long did it take for God to phrase, “Let there be light?” How long can you hug a person to outweigh the abusive grasp that will follow? How can you love this world that maintains such corruption? How do you wrestle with your own inability, inadequacy, and incomprehension of this Goliath standing before you and mocking this invisible kingdom you profess? These are some of the daily tensions.

Love for the “Fallen Leaves”
In this ministry I discovered the “biased” love. This love must search out and find the ones who cannot love back, who can never repay what is given to them, who offer no visible or tangible ground for deserving it, who are not or do not look lovable or huggable or easy to sit down with, be seen with, converse with. This love finds no ground in its object but the ground is in itself. This love is often turned down and rejected, but it is still there raining over the “just” and the “unjust” alike. And since the person is unable to offer you some ground for your love then whatever you do unto them you are necessarily doing it to Him. Christ substitutes the undeserving, the poor, the stranger, the prostitute, the slave, thus always giving you ground in His person to love the least without restraint.

A State social worker has said: “Many women are aware of what they are getting into; they were not tricked, so we cannot help them.” This could be true for a tiny minority but, even then, what factors were there pushing a person’s “free will” into a corner? Intense poverty? Child abuse? Rape that has shaped their self-esteem? Single mothers abandoned by everyone now obliged to sacrifice their bodies so that their children could live, get medical help, food and clothing? How can these women run to a shelter for protection? How can they place charges against their traffickers when the policemen they run to are their regular customers? Why would their interests be protected over their traffickers’ who bribe their way through the system? A poet has said that no leaf falls to the ground without the silent consent of the whole tree. But we look at the fallen leaves, we blame them, we avoid them, and we label them as the sinners who brought about their own downfall. These women become the scapegoats for the sins of the entire community.

The Driving Force
This ministry is a public declaration to the earthly and heavenly realms. It is a declaration of the infinite value of God’s creation, of all His creatures. Incarnation is proclaimed when those who get no benefit from these women decide to go down simply to find them, simply to love them, simply to give and relate to them, to hear their pain and to cry with them. Even when we willingly choose sin, even when we are deserving of our state, even if we reject His offer, incarnation still takes place despite of us. This ministry is a puzzle to the local community, and journalists from local newspapers have many times sought to understand the driving force behind it. We are dealing with a national sin so the resistance is great and the healing extremely slow. However, the transformation we witness in the church is remarkable. Volunteers from all denominations unite in prayer and offerings, and work against a single enemy creating an admirable testimony to the watching world.

Myrto (second from right) with mentors and fellow JSM-Langham Scholars at Wheaton College in illnois

The support I receive from Langham Scholarships as well as their vision of impacting communities through God’s Word is a tremendous help for my doctoral studies in the Old Testament and for my future vision. This ministry has inspired me to get deeper into Scripture and plan to give a theological framework for social works in what I write in the future with the hope to inspire more people; “for the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you saying, ‘you shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land’,” (Deut. 15:11).

———————

Myrto is a graduate of Wheaton College in Illinois, currently studying at Cambridge, England, with plans to graduate in 2010. For more information on the Langham Scholars program, visit the Scholars section of the John Stott Ministries Web site.

Walking slowly and clutching a sturdy wooden cane, 86 year old Rev. Dr. Stott looks every bit the statesman that, in 2005, Time magazine called “One of the 100 most influential people on the planet today”. Echoing that accolade he also received a CBE in 2006 shortly before completing his 50th, and possibly his last, book “The Living Church” launched in 2007.

Having successfully passed the baton of leadership for the international church growth ministry he founded, the LANGHAM PARTNERSHIP (John Stott Ministries in the U.S.) to the current International Director, the Rev. Dr. Chris Wright; John Stott is now enjoying a well earned retirement in leafy Sussex. However, the opportunity to speak again at the Keswick Convention 2007 was enough to draw out another one of those memorable sermons so many have come to expect from this grand orator.

Walking slowly to the podium, and assisted by his research assistant, Chris Jones, John Stott was met by a standing ovation from a Convention tent filled to overflowing, on this warm summer evening on the 17th of July 2007. He began by thanking those who had introduced him in such glowing terms and then, in typically self-deferential fashion, he smiled and added, “But actually I thought I might be listening to my own obituary”.

John Stott clearly explained that the essence of what God is doing in the church today is the work of transforming His people into the image of His Son. Leading his audience from the past reality of predestination (Romans 8:29) through to the present work of transformation (2 Cor 3:18) and culminating in a glorious future (1 John 3:2) when we will discover that ‘we will be like Christ’.

In vintage Stott style, John took the Keswick Convention along a clear and well crafted journey through the evidence for this central purpose of God – to turn the world upside down by transforming His people into the image of His Son. But, he added, it’s the church’s lack of cooperation with this central purpose of God for His people that has been so damaging to our world.

Incarnational evangelism or entering into other people’s worlds with Christ-likeness, Stott noted, is essential to the church’s walk in the 21st century. However, our evangelistic efforts often lead to failure simply because we fail to look like the Christ we are proclaiming. Quoting John Poulton, Stott noted that, “The most effective preaching comes from those who embody their message. What communicates now are people, not words or ideas but rather personal authenticity, that is, Christ-likeness”.

Listen to this memorable sermon online at www.essentialchristian.com (cost of £3).

Read the transcript of John Stott’s final public address.

Download the sermon in pdf format.

Find out more about this ministry at www.langhampartnership.org.

John Stott Ministries had its own kind of celebration; behind the scenes, the three JSM-Langham programs – Literature, Preaching, and Scholars – came together in strategic support of KEST. The Langham Scholars program through the years has sponsored two scholars, David Zac Niringiye and Philip Wandawa, both key players in the development of KEST. The Langham Literature and Preaching programs worked to host preaching conferences at KEST and distribute much-needed training and theological texts to local participants.

Mark Meynell, Acting Principal for KEST and Senior Associate Minister at All Souls Church, comments on the significance that the success of KEST has for this region of Africa: “The genius of the dream for KEST was the realisation of the need to teach and train future generations of pastors and Christian leaders in an integrated and holistic, African-oriented and inter-denominational setting. No one else in Uganda had that vision – and it remains almost unique in that part of the world.”

Nothing confirms more the efforts of JSM-Langham than acting as a strategic catalyst for church leaders and witnessing as their vision for the church in their region becomes real.

Read Mark’s blog entry and see more pictures of the KEST graduation.

Learn more about the JSM-Langham programs.

THE LAUSANNE INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP MEETING has just taken place in Budapest, Hungary, from June 18-22. More than 300 people from all over the world met, representing several generations of leaders – from some of the generation of elderly leaders who were there at the original Lausanne, to a group from the Younger Leaders Gathering last year. The main purpose of the gathering was to launch the process that will lead to a third major Lausanne Congress in October 2010 in Cape Town South Africa. It is expected that around 4,000 people representing the worldwide church will gather there, while many thousands more participate through ‘open-source’ electronic means. Cape Town 2010, ‘Lausanne III’ is likely to draw together Christian leaders from more countries in the world than have ever assembled before, and, coming a hundred years after the famous Edinburgh mission conference of 1910, it will demonstrate the amazing global growth of the church in one century.

Chris Wright, International Director of LPI, was in Budapest, as Chair of the Lausanne Theology Working Group, a small but very international group, which seeks to address issues that confront the church in mission in the 21st century. Lausanne is committed to both action and reflection. As Chris Wright put it, we are people who seek to practise what we believe, and to think about what we practise. ‘All our mission should be grounded in theological reflection; and all theology must result in missional outworking’, he said.

LANGHAM INVOLVEMENT

Langham Scholars were well represented in the gathering. Danut Manastireanu and Cristian Romocea from Romania, along with Ng Kam Weng (Malaysia), both serve on the Theology Working Group and were there in Budapest. Andrea Stephanous (Egypt) was there as the Lausanne regional leader for the Middle East as was Las Newman (Jamaica) in the same position from the Caribbean (Las was there even though he had his Ph.D. viva examination in Oxford on the following Monday!). Meanwhile, one of the four Bible Expositions was given by Charlie Hadjiev (Bulgaria), a current Langham Scholar in the UK and one of the most promising younger leaders.

Other people who are strongly connected with Langham Partnership around the world were also playing a part. Philemon Choi, Chairman of the Board of Langham Foundation East Asia (Hong Kong) was there. Some members of our Regional Councils were also playing a significant part, such as John Azumah (secretary of our LPRC for West Africa), David Ruiz (from LPRC for Latin America), and Hwa Yung (from the LPRC in East Asia). Gideon Para-Mallam, who has pioneered the new Langham Preaching programme in Nigeria, has just been appointed as one of the Lausanne International Deputy Directors (for Anglophone Africa). All these personal connections strengthen the link between Langham and Lausanne and contribute to the networks of leadership which Langham has helped to build over the years.

Lausanne’s unofficial slogan, taken from the Covenant, is ‘The whole church taking the whole gospel to the whole world’. In his address in Budapest, Chris Wright added that such a task requires the whole Bible too. Holistic mission demands holistic use of the Bible. For it is in the whole Bible that we hear the heartbeat of God himself – for the last and the least (socially and economically) as well as the lost (spiritually); for those who are dying of hunger, HIV-AIDS and war, as well as those who are dying in their sins; for the landless, homeless, stateless and family-less, as well as for those who are without Christ, without hope and without God in the world. The God who commands us to make disciples of all nations also commands us to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. We must not put asunder what God has joined together. Lausanne, like Langham, believes in the integration of all these things because anything less is untrue to the Bible.

21ST CENTURY REFORMATION

‘My concern,’ said Chris Wright, ‘is not just that the world church should become more evangelical, but that world evangelicals should become more biblical. We need repentance and renewal in the church, as well as renewed passion for world mission. Otherwise, we may become, as the Lausanne Covenant put it, “a stumbling block to evangelism… a betrayal of the Gospel”. Indeed,’ he concluded, ‘my hope for Cape Town 2010 is that it would launch and foster nothing less than a 21st Century Reformation – among evangelicals, who need it as much as any other Christian bloc.’

For there are scandals and abuses in the evangelical world that are reminiscent of the worst features of the pre-reformation medieval church in Europe.

• There are some mega leaders, like ancient prelates, wielding vast wealth, power and control – unaccountable, unattractive and unChristlike.
• There are multitudes of ordinary Christians going to so-called evangelical churches, where they never hear the Bible preached or taught.
• Instead they are offered, in the ‘prosperity gospel’ a form of 21st century indulgences, except that you pay your money not for release from pains after death, but for material ‘blessings’ here and now.
• And there are evangelicals parading ungodly alliances with secular power – political, economic and military – identifying themselves (and the gospel they claim to preach) with agendas and ideologies that reflect human empire not the kingdom of God in Christ.

Will we have the courage to identify and renounce such scandals and to seek a reformation of heart, mind and practice?

The 16th Century Reformation was criticized because it lacked missionary awareness and energy until much later. They were so obsessed with tackling abuses in the church that they neglected world mission. How ironic and tragic will it be if 21st Century evangelicals are so obsessed with world mission that we neglect abuses in the church, blind to our own idolatries and syncretism?

• If reformation without mission was defective,
• then mission without reformation will be deluded, self-defeating and even dangerous.

The Lausanne Covenant, like the Bible itself, commits us to the integration of both.

“Plans are underway for the development of a 3-level programme for small teams of delegates from the Pacific region. The hope is that these small delegations will become the owners of a Langham preaching programme set up in their own country in the future.”

The first event will be held in Sydney in March 2008, followed by a second in Auckland, and a third in Sydney.

This is a great opportunity for the church in Australia and New Zealand to support the development of a preaching movement in Pacific countries such as Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.

Sign up for the LPI Australia newsletter on the LPI-Australia Web site more details as they are finalised.

By Chris Wright
International Director, LPI

A sleepy rural railway station in the heart of leafy Surrey nestles alongside the grounds of a
retirement home for Anglican clergy 30 miles south of London. From getting off the train from London, it took less than five minutes to stroll down the lane that leads to the beautiful cloistered brick buildings and well-tended gardens of the community where John Stott now lives. Resplendent rose bushes competed with ancient English oaks and beech trees for my eyes’ attention, while the whole open quadrangle breathed peace and calm, with the central chapel completing the familiar impression of a Cambridge college.

John Stott’s desk

I found Uncle John as I had so often found him before, seated at his desk. This time however he was not looking out over Bridford Mews, but through exquisite leaded windows over the lawn and gardens around which all the accommodation is arranged. His two-room apartment gives onto a pleasant cloistered pathway with benches for relaxation in warmer weather, and is only a few yards walk from the refectory where we later joined the other residents for a very wholesome lunch. He was, as usual, surrounded by papers, assisted by his magnifying reading machine. Frances Whitehead spends a day each week with him working on continuing correspondence.

The grounds at John Stott’s retirement home

It is still less than a month since John moved in, yet already I heard him greeting many of the residents and staff by name. His gift of friendship and memory for names have clearly not been left behind in London. He was telling me of one of the several retired bishops among the residents with whom he has struck up a friendship, and how they had spent an hour and a half that morning walking around the grounds together.

He was as keen as ever to hear of all my comings and goings; I have always felt what I imagine Timothy must have felt too when he went to report to the Apostle Paul. We were able to rejoice together in the many ways that God is continuing to bless and strengthen the Langham ministries in so many countries. I was able to bring him greetings from many friends around the world, and it was heart-warming to see the encouragement this gives him.

The cloister

John is increasingly frail and particularly unsteady on his feet (he walks with a ‘rollator’). Yet he is determined to bring a word from the Lord to the Keswick Convention in July, at what will almost certainly be his last public address. He will need to be sustained by the prayers of God’s people for that occasion on July 17th – both in the preparation of his message, which is occupying most of his thoughts at present, and in the physical demands of delivering it.

I walked back to the little railway station in the after-lunch sunshine, leaving Uncle John to his customary siesta, with thanks to God that he is settling in, making friends, and being well-cared for in a loving Christian community, with high quality medical care close on hand. We can all join with him in recognizing the good hand of God in this provision.

Read more about how Chris Wright and Langham Partnership International are “Keeping the Legacy Alive.”

“Completely fresh with new insights presented in a lucid and compelling way. This is an important work of scholarship that will likely give future generations a firm foundation for thinking theologically about the church’s mission in the world. Likely to affect the way that biblical theology and exegesis are done in evangelical seminaries.”

See Christianity Today’s complete list of 2007 book award winners

Read a CT review of The Mission of God

Read an interview with Chris Wright regarding The Mission of God

He will also be moving from his flat in Bridford Mews, London, where he has lived for more than 30 years, to a retirement community for Anglican clergy in the south of England which will be able to provide more fully for his present and future needs. John has made this decision with the strong belief that it is God’s provision for him at this stage.

Dr. John Stott’s retirement means that he no longer intends to engage in public speaking ministry. He continues to hold the titles that express his honored role in several contexts, including: Founder and Honorary President of the Langham Partnership International; Rector Emeritus at All Souls Church, Langham Place; and Extra Chaplain to the Queen. Dr. Stott intends to continue to correspond and receive visitors, but for some time he has declined to accept public or recorded interviews.

John will greatly value your prayer for him in the challenges and opportunities involved in this transition. He is also happy to reassure his friends that the Langham Partnership International (or John Stott Ministries, in USA), is well prepared to continue its work, even after his retirement.

Dr. Chris Wright took over the leadership of the organisation from John in 2001, and there is now a strong team of international programme managers and other staff and volunteers all over the world making sure that the work develops strongly into the future.

About the Langham Partnership
Langham Partnership International exists to help churches in the Majority World grow in maturity and be equipped for mission. We provide books and training for Christian leaders and pastors to help them diligently study, faithfully preach and relevantly apply the Word of God. Langham Partnership provides these resources through three programmes: Langham Literature; Langham Preaching; Langham Scholars.

John Stott Ministries and Langham Partners International present:“God’s Mission, God’s Word: Reading the Whole Bible for Mission” Rev. Dr. Christopher J. H. Wright International Director for JSM-LanghamFriday, April 20, 2007 Trinity Evangelical Divinity School H.G. Rodine Global Ministry Building 2065 Half Day Road Deerfield, Illinois 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Attendees will learn: —How a missional reading of the whole Bible, including the Old Testament, is the framework for understanding God’s plan for his people and his world —How the growth of the church in the Majority World has changed the face of Christianity —How John Stott Ministries has helped to raise the standards of biblical preachingA book signing will follow the event.

Come share an evening with a key international church leader, featured recently in Christianity Today magazine!

Langham Partnership International (LPI) is happy to work in partnership with ICETE (International Council for Evangelical Theological Education), and is one of its international “patrons.” This report from ICETE describes its preparation for the upcoming Third Lausanne Congress. Following the report is LPI International Director Chris Wright’s comments on the historic significance of JSM-Langham’s participation in these events.

ICETE has just participated in a significant exploratory consultation of the Lausanne Theology Working Group, held February 12-17, 2007, in Limuru, Kenya. The event was chaired by Chris Wright and co-sponsored by the Theological Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). This was the first in a series of such gatherings planned by this Lausanne group to articulate key theological challenges relevant to the task of world evangelization, in preparation for the Third Lausanne Congress to be held in 2010. ICETE’s delegates to the event were Douglas Carew of ACTEA (Kenya) and Sergei Sannikov of the Euro-Asian Accrediting Association of Evangelical Schools (E-AAA), Ukraine.

Radical Incarnational Ecclesiology

The theme of this consultation was “Following Jesus in Our Broken World,” and focused on the demands of radical discipleship and the ethical dimensions inherent in Christian conversion. Presentations considered issues of discipleship in contexts of power and violence, suffering and disaster, ethnicity, and the globalized marketplace, together with questions relating to the uniqueness of Christ, and Jesus as the truth in the postmodern world. What was found most needed was a robust theology of incarnational ecclesiology. As truth is experienced and communicated through proposition, presence, and praxis, our ecclesiology must be more effectively developed so that we might be both bearers and communicators of the truth to our suffering world. Succeeding consultations of this working group will focus on: the Whole Church (2008), the Whole Gospel (2009), and the Whole World (2010). The implications for evangelical theological education are multiple. Part of ICETE’s role is to provide both an ear and a voice for its worldwide constituency within such venues of global evangelicalism. LCWE hopes in due course to make the findings of this series available to ICETE constituency institutions.

<strong>Chris Wright Comments on His Role with LTWG</strong>
“One of the reasons that I was happy to accept the invitation from Doug Birdsall (Executive Chair of Lausanne) to take on the role of Chair of the LTWG, is that it had historically been founded and led for many years by John Stott in the years following the first epochal Lausanne Congress in 1974. John Stott himself strongly encouraged me to add this task to my main role in the leadership of the Langham Partnership. Another reason, of course, is that there is a lot of overlap between the work of Langham and the vision of Lausanne (not surprising, really, in view of John Stott’s formative role in both). It seemed to me that it ought to be possible for many of our Langham Scholars to be involved also in the Lausanne family and in its national and regional forums. Naturally, then, I was very pleased that four Langham Scholars were able to participate in the most recent meeting of the Lausanne Theology Working Group, in Limuru, Kenya, in February. These were: Athena Gorospe (Philippines), Cristian Romocea (Romania), Danut Manastireanu (Romania), and Ng Kam Weng (Malaysia). All brought stimulating case studies and perspectives to our discussion. I hope that even more Langham Scholars will be involved in future meetings of the Lausanne Theology Working Group.”

PHOTO:
Dr Athena Gorospe, JSM-Langham Scholar, who teaches OT at ATS, Manila, Philippines, participating in the Lausanne Theology Working Group meeting in Kenya, February 2007.