The General Secretary of Baptist World Alliance (BWA), Denton Lotz delivered a keynote address this week for those gathered in the "Future of Baptist Higher Education" conference. Lotz delivered an address entitled, "Christian Higher Education and the International Community: How Should We Proceed After 9/11?"
More than 200 students, educators and church leaders came to the event which took place at Baylor University. The event was a time in which all could refocus on the current outlook of Baptist Higher Education.
Lotz emphasised that educators had to create a new outlook, and these had to be concentrated upon accommodation, indigenisation and contextualisation.
In particular, within the US the world prior to 9/11 and after has changed dramatically – and in this new environment Lotz spoke of his belief that Baptist Higher Education had to make a strategic movement to go out beyond the US borders.
As more and more students come to take up Christian higher education, the knowledge of various cultures, and realisation of their differences and similarities becomes essential. Lotz believes that Baptist educators must take up this responsibility, and should redirect their current courses to accommodate this new path.
The BWA general secretary called for the next stage to commence – the indigenisation of educational programs begun in nations across the world. Lotz explained that education is the way to evangelism, and they way in which people can mature in their faith.
The final stage for this new vision to become a reality for Baptist higher education is the contextualisation of faith with modern society. Culture and faith must be merged together by education so that students can learn how to correctly apply Christian values into their lives.
Denton Lotz has a wealth of experience in evangelism and youth work – prior to taking up his position as BWA general secretary he was director of evangelism and education, and director of youth.
In addition prior to taking up his positions in BWA he was a missionary in Eastern and Central Europe and was a professor for 11 years at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Ruschlikon, Switzerland, and taught missions and homiletics. In 1961 Lotz was awarded a bachelor of sacred theology degree from Harvard Divinity School, and later received a doctorate from the University of Hamburg in 1970.
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