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Can you give me a rough outline of the programme? What are some of the issues that will be discussed in Cape Town as part of the onsite Congress?
Each day will likely begin with gospel readings, Bible exposition and theological reflection. Small group meetings that follow will serve as an opportunity for further reflection and prayer. Daily seminars and workshops will follow the six issues/topics. Evening sessions will be used as a time of challenge and commitment together. Also being planned are ways for onsite and virtual participants to be actively involved providing real-time interactivity and feedback to the programme.
The general framework of the Congress will be the Lausanne statement of “the whole church taking the whole gospel to the whole world” as follows:
The Whole Gospel:
- The case for the truth and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a pluralistic world. We will look at the interaction of Christianity with other religions and the Challenge of Pluralism. As a response to the biblical reflection and consideration of the challenge, we will then recommit ourselves in Declaring the Uniqueness of Jesus Christ.
- Developing a theology of reconciliation. After biblical reflection on Reconciliation, we will then look at the issue of human identity which is behind conflicts around the world and our ambiguity in biomedical and moral ethics. As the church, we will then repent and ask for God's help in Reconciling Us to Each Other.
The Whole World:
- Good news for a broken world. We will contemplate the Challenge of Suffering, seeking to better understand the issues of global economic injustice, disease, environment and poverty. If we are to engage the culture for Christ, we need to be Empowered by the Holy Spirit.
- The unfinished task. The Challenge of the Unfinished Task will explore the new challenges and opportunities to evangelization, including unreached people groups, urbanization, migration, Diaspora groups and the role of women. We will be encouraged as we look at New Forms of Partnerships within and across minority and majority worlds as we cooperate in world evangelization.
The Whole Church:
- A call to a 21st century reformation of the church. The Challenge of Relativism is one we need to deal with if the Church is to experience a rebirth and renewal. We hope for an impassioned appeal for Christ-like character individually and corporately. We will also look at prosperity teaching, entitlement theology and issues of moral purity with a challenge to Living as a Distinctive People.
- Unity of the church. Under the Challenge of Unity, we will look at who is doing what and what is not being done. We will appeal for unity and increased cooperation between evangelicals worldwide. The closing service is a Call to Action which is a renewed commitment to dedicated discipleship and the Lordship of Christ as we prepare to spread the gospel worldwide with integrity and courage.
Please be praying with the CT2010 Programme Committee and leadership team as they continue to shape the programme and for the selection of speakers to address each of these issues either in the main sessions or in companion workshops and seminars.
How did Lausanne decide on the list of issues for the Congress?
In the three years leading up to CT2010, the CT2010 Programme Committee, Lausanne Executive Committee, Lausanne International Deputy Directors and Lausanne Working Groups have been engaging leadership teams throughout the world to determine the relevant issues pertaining to the church, worldwide evangelization and holistic ministry.
Input from Christian leaders on topics to be discussed at CT2010 is being done in an intentional manner through a series of Lausanne gatherings in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Argentina, United Kingdom, Hungary, Poland, United States, Thailand, Egypt, Ukraine, Germany and elsewhere. These meetings are helping Lausanne gain the wisdom and insight of national, regional and global Christian leaders on the topics to be discussed at CT2010 as well as potential speakers and participants.
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