WEA

The WEA Mission Commission conducted its 11th Global Consultation, from November 6 to 11, with 203 mission practitioners from 42 countries at Schönblick Conference Center near Stuttgart, Germany. The theme, God's Disturbing Mission, emphasized the developing complexity and diversity in the practice of global mission today. At the same time it recognized that mission belongs to God (Missio Dei). The thought that God himself might be behind disturbances in the mission agenda proved to be an invitation to seek God, read His word, strengthen relationships across diversity, and bow in worship

The reality of constantly renewing leadership was enacted as younger leaders led the Consultation from the platform. Their perspective drew attention to what is next. Speakers from India, Lithuania, Russia, Brazil, USA, Sri Lanka, Rwanda, Kenya, S. Korea, South Africa and the UK took part, reflecting the broad range of global perspectives.

Table groups met all week to discuss, pray and commit to paths of obedience as God spoke a fresh to move forward in mission. Afternoon "post-it" sessions identified and focused on shared concerns and explored ways of cooperation in mission practice. The event ended around the Lord's Table, an enactment of the global missional community gathered by Jesus from every nation, generation by generation, and sent out as the fruit of His sacrifice.

Certain themes emerged: the challenge of developing adequate mission practice in and from contexts of complexity, uncertainty and change; and the reality of multiple approaches to mission and its practice.

A palpable sense of mutuality and interdependence reminded all that any redefinition of ourselves and our mission must take place in a context of discipleship--of following Christ together.

The consultation was designed to shape the future of the MC itself. The MC is guided in its work by a Global Leadership Council (GLC), formed from its constituency. Peter Tarantal of South Africa was elected as the new Chair. The GLC will meet in May 2012 and consider implications from the consultation for what comes next. Whatever the outcome, the consultation stands as a reminder that mission depends on God's initiative and that he will use new and old senders to shape the future of Christian mission. Bertil Ekström, Executive Director of the MC, looks to the future in this way: "We are on a journey together."

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The WEA Mission Commission responds to the needs of national and regional mission movements around the globe. For the past 25 years, the MC has dedicated its energies to strengthening these continental and national entities, and promoting movements in nations that currently are not a significant part taking the Gospel from every nation to every nation. The MC is the only global platform that serves this important function.

The WEA is the most comprehensive and representative Evangelical body in the world today. Established in 1846, the WEA is a movement of growing influence in the early 21st century by equipping, connecting and speaking on behalf of its global constituency. WEA serves 129 national evangelical alliances, hundreds of associate member alliances, totaling over 600 million evangelical Christians, uniting all to transform the nations.

Dr Brian C Stiller has been appointed the World Evangelical Alliance's global ambassador. This is a newly created role and Dr Stiller will assist WEA Secretary General Geoff Tunnicliffe working with other world bodies, both Christian and secular, ranging from the Vatican to the World Council of Churches, and international forums such as the United Nations.

Dr Stiller will also work with the 128 national alliances of WEA in leadership development and growing a public presence in their respective nations.

Welcoming the appointment, NZ Christian Network National Director Glyn Carpenter noted that Philip Jenkins, author of the book The Next Christendom, has said the evangelical church is the fastest growing Christian community in the world.

Dr Stiller, a Canadian, served as president of Canada's Youth for Christ, was president of both the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and Tyndale University College & Seminary in Toronto. He led the Younger Leaders Committee of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization as chair of the Singapore 1987 congress.

He is the author of over 10 books, and founded a national magazine, Faith Today, in Canada. Dr Stiller also presented Crosscurrents for eight years, a weekly television current-affairs programme.

Evangelical Alliance responds to Home Office ban on US Pastor Jones

The Evangelical Alliance, an organisation that represents more than a million evangelical Christians in the UK, has commented on Home Office ban on US Pastor Terry Jones from entering Britain.

Only last month, Steve Clifford, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance, made personal contact with the Florida-based pastor asking him to refrain from visiting Britain on the grounds that his entry could incite hatred and tensions among different religious and ethnic groups.

Mr Clifford said: "I had hoped Terry Jones would see sense and decide for himself not to come as his visit risked inflaming tension and inciting violence so I understand why the Home Secretary has taken this step."

Mr Clifford points out that Pastor Jones' understanding of the Christian faith is at odds with all but a very small minority of believers, adding: "Christians are called to be passionate peacemakers, challenging any attitude that would lead to violence and respecting even those with whom we would disagree."

The Home Office barred the preacher from entering the UK on grounds of his ‘extremism' after he was invited by a far-right group to take part in a series of demonstrations against the expansion of Islam and the construction of mosques in the UK.

The Evangelical Alliance has launched the results of groundbreaking research into the beliefs, attitudes and behaviours of evangelical Christians in the UK.