LCWE

LCWE Intro
The Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization (LCWE) commences today and runs for about a week in Cape Town, South Africa (10/16-10/25).  Thousands of delegates from all around the world meet and discuss theological issues related to evangelism.

We had hoped to attend (and we were even officially invited to assist in the meetings), but it would have meant a month away from French study. So, we plan to attend virtually, and listen to the meetings that LCWE post online.

Some Reasons for 'Attending' LCWE
1. Affects Future Evangelism Strategy
For example, Ralph Winter's address on 'people group blindness' in 1974 at the first council changed the way organizations went about their global work. Since then, organizations have changed the way they understand people groups; Cameroon has several people groups, for example, and is not one monolithic people.

Another example, the phrase '10/40 Window' was coined and used in the 1989 conference, affecting the way organizations oriented their strategies and allocation of personnel, resources, etc. Today, the phrase is considered foundational terminology.


2. Happens Rarely
The first LCWE of 2,700 delegates was held in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1974; the second was in Manila, Philippines in 1989; and the third starts today in Cape Town, South Africa, expecting over 4,000 delegates from all over the world.  This is big and important, really important, happening once a generation.


3. Theological Direction
LCWE has had work groups and theological discussions meeting for years now in a lead-up to this meeting in Cape Town. For example, one of my friends in North Dakota met with leaders in Malawi for evangelism discussion and outreach. And our Pastor John met with leaders in Cairo, Egypt to discuss the text of Ephesians and summon a common vision.