Lausanne envisages new moment for worldwide church

With its third congress on world evangelisation just months away, Lausanne is hoping that a new online conversation will get evangelicals around the world talking about some of the toughest questions facing the global church today.

The Lausanne Global Conversation will be launched in May in eight languages, according to Naomi Frizzell, director of digital media for Cape Town 2010: The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation.

The online conversation is being launched in a bid to stimulate conversation between evangelicals on a wide range of issues like religious pluralism, ethnic conflict, urbanisation and the human future.

“This is a genuine reflection of our belief that iron sharpens iron, and that there is wisdom in the counsel of many. We want to hear from Christian leaders from every continent,” said Frizzell.

Lausanne is hoping that the online conversation will shape discussions at the October congress and beyond.

It has partnered with major Christian radio networks to kindle debate in rural communities that have limited access to the internet.

TWR, FEBC, UCB and HCJB are creating and disseminating special programmes around the themes raised by the online conversation.

Responses to the issues raised in the broadcasts will be collated by the local radio stations and fed into the wider conversation.

“This combination of radio waves and the internet brings a new moment for the church. We invite you to play a part in it,” said Larry Russell, Associate Director of Cape Town 2010.

He continued: “The global church is facing pressing issues. As we engage with them together, under God’s direction, we will strengthen one another.

“Let us each bring our unique experience and insight, and share the gifts Christ has given us.”

On the web: www.lausanne.org/conversation