European church leaders study road ahead

Leaders of churches and church networks from across Europe met together recently in Spain to look at Europe's future and how it can be impacted through the Christian message.

The Strategic Leadership Consultation 2009 saw invited leaders discussing the spiritual and social state of Europe, contemporary theology, strategic planning and keys to influencing Europe's mainstream civic life.

The think-tank summit, now in its 11th year, was hosted by Mal Fletcher, director of Next Wave International.

He said the SLC summit was focused not so much on inspiration, but on mapping specific, strategic possibilities for change at every level of European life.

"This event provides a unique opportunity for significant Christian leaders, especially leaders of church networks, to meet and discuss ideas for changing Europe," said Mr Fletcher. "There's a real feeling of anticipation in the room when you have highly experienced and thoughtful leaders from various language groups and nationalities, all committed to one goal - changing Europe!

"We're not about looking backwards. We believe that it is because of Christianity's influence in Europe's past that it has a great deal to offer Europe's future.

"If Europe is to reach its true potential, we must stop apologising for the strengths of our past and start building on them a platform for the future."

Guest contributors at SLC09 included contemporary theologian and renowned author W A (Winkie) Pratney, leader of the Australian Christian Lobby Jim Wallace, and head of the Fellowship of European Broadcasters and EU lobbyist Harvey Thomas.

"Influencing the future is not simply about extrapolating from present trends," said Mr Pratney. "It requires that we bring the power of revelation to bear on those trends."

Past contributors to the two-day summit have included evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, futurists Dr Patrick Dixon and Dr Tom Sine, former General Director of the Evangelical Alliance Dr Joel Edwards and activist Steve Chalke.

The next consultation, SLC 2010: EUROPEAN ODYSSEY, is scheduled for May 6-8, 2010.



On the web: www.nextwaveonline.com