Calls for a ‘Second Reformation,’ an End to the Prosperity Gospel and the Inclusion of Women in Ministry Filled the Cape Town 2010 Congress Discussions
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA, 23 October 2010 – ‘Today our focus shifts from the whole world to the whole Church,’ commented Doug Birdsall, executive chair of The Lausanne Movement. And so Saturday’s Congress sessions turned the focus inward, beginning with a call for authenticity within the Church. Participants wrestled with the painful reality that Christians are often barely distinguishable from the broken world to which they are called to minister.
Calisto Odede, Senior Pastor of Nairobi Pentecostal Church, started the day by exploring Ephesians 4:17-6:9. He reasoned that while people may admire Jesus and respect his teaching, they have no desire to identify with a church or to follow church leaders who bear little resemblance to him.
Pastor Odede said that the onus was on Christians to act differently from the world. He warned of the dangers of becoming a ‘professional conference attendee,’ rather than a doer of the Word – because when there is all talk and no action, Christians become simply ‘noisy vuvuzelas' from the sidelines.
He also told listeners that ‘transparency is not an option’ as a Christian – it is an imperative. ‘Cover-ups lead to flare-ups . . . [but] exposure leads to healing.’ Thus he closed his speech asking participants to share what burdens were on their hearts during the table discussion time.
At the next plenary session, Chris Wright, International Director of Langham Partnership International and retiring Chair of the Lausanne Theology Working Group, delivered the day’s boldest statement: ‘Evangelicals worldwide have a lot to be ashamed of . . . we need a second reformation.’ Though hard-hitting, Dr Wright’s words touched a note among the crowd as applause immediately broke out and heads nodded in approval.
He further compared the plight of today’s Church to the pre-Reformation Church of the 16th century. ‘What hurts God the most,’ continued Dr Wright, '[is] the failure, disobedience, and rebellion of those he has redeemed.’ In other words, the 'idolatry of the Church.' He pointed out the three idols that are ‘especially seductive, even for evangelical Christians: the idol of power and pride; the idol of popularity and success; [and] the idol of wealth and greed.’
What should the Christian response be to these idols? ‘Reformation is once again the desperate need,’ urged Dr Wright. ‘It needs to start among those who claim the name ‘evangelical,’ but who are characterized by these and other failures and abuses.’ Before Christians go out into the world, they must clean up their own backyard. He called for ‘Humility, integrity, and simplicity’ and ‘a radical return to the Lord – as the prophets called for in all the generations of Old Testament Israel, as Jesus called his hearers to do. “Repent, and believe the gospel.” It was a word that came, not to pagan unbelievers, but to those who already claimed to be God’s covenant people. So it comes to us.’
Speakers on Saturday also addressed the 'prosperity gospel' as a threat to the Church’s integrity and damaging to the poor. Dr Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, of Trinity Theological Seminary in Ghana, defined prosperity gospel as ‘teaching the Word of God and gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord in a self-serving manner that places its emphasis on consumerism to suggest that the possession of material things are necessary to show Christianity and God’s approval.’
Femi Adeleye, Associate General Secretary for Partnership and Collaboration with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES), did not hold back in calling the prosperity gospel, 'nothing less than seduction into a false delusion. It is an unrealistic solution to challenges of daily life . . . it reduces God to the “genie in the bottle.”'
But wherever there is poverty, Mr Adeleye said the prosperity gospel seeps in and thrives. It ‘often wears the mask of advocacy for the poor, [but] it is hardly good news,’ he continued. 'It is the shepherds fleecing the flock . . . the poor who sow the seed are not the ones that get richer. It is leaders and pastors who wear better suits, drive better cars and acquire bigger homes.’
But how should the Church respond to this rapidly growing phenomenon? Mr Adeleye offered this advice: ‘We need to take the plight of the poor seriously enough to reject this gospel and work at better ways of meeting their needs than offering false shortcuts.’
Another issue regarding integrity and the Church concerns the role of men and women in ministry. Elke Werner, author and international speaker, spoke to this point, ‘Women are not second-class citizens in God’s kingdom.’ She continued, ‘Let us treasure and value our gender differences and at the same time see Christ in each other. Let us work together, love and respect one another and serve together, so that the world might see that God has sent his Son.’
Elke Werner went on to identify critical areas of need where women and men working together could tackle problems of integrity. ‘In an age of sex trafficking, of new definitions of gender, of legalising homosexual behaviour, of legalising pornography and making it accessible to everyone through the Internet, of breaking up of families and marriages, we as a Church can make a difference.’
She also reaffirmed Lausanne’s Manila Manifesto regarding the inclusion of women: ‘The gifts of the Spirit are distributed to all God’s people, women and men, and … their partnership in evangelization must be welcomed for the common good.’
Talking specifically about Ghana, Dr Asamoah-Gyadu said in an afternoon press conference that the ‘inclusion of women . . . in the structure of Christianity goes back, at least in Africa, to the 20th century.’ He then affirmed Werner’s statement that both men and women were made in the image of God, and added that, ‘on the popular level, women have been religion's chief clients [in Africa].’
Finally, after a tough but necessary day of reflection, Saturday’s Congress sessions concluded with a time of prayer and repentance among the table groups.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Miles Giljam (+27) 79 574 2926
Val Pauquet (+27) 082 784 7693
Editor’s note: for Congress talks and materials, go to lausanne.org/conversation, or for more information, go to lausanne.org/news-releases