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Summit Seeks To Change Spiritual Direction Of Europe
06 May 2008
EUROPEAN CHURCH LEADERS MEET TO CHANGE SPIRITUAL DIRECTION OF EUROPE
Christian leaders from 20 European nations will meet in early May to finalise strategies to change the spiritual direction of Europe.
Concerned about the current spiritual climate in Europe, Christian leaders at the Strategic Leadership Consultation summit in Malaga, Spain, are putting in place long-term strategies for spiritual reformation throughout Europe.
Chair and founder of the Strategic Leadership Consultation summit, Rev. Mal Fletcher, says European church leaders are formulating plans to become more influential in their communities, to creatively engage and reshape the culture in a positive spiritual direction.
“Our plan is to reposition the Church as a core influence in European culture over the next ten to 15 years,” says Rev. Fletcher, director of Next Wave International.
“The Church was not designed to exist at the edges of society - irrelevant and unnoticed.
“Some say Europe is ‘post-Christian’,” he said. “It’s actually beyond that. In many ways Europe is pre-Christian again, and ready for a dramatic spiritual revolution.
“The head of the British Army, Sir Richard Dannatt, recently stated that wherever a spiritual vacuum exists in a nation, something will invariably move in to fill that space.
“In some parts of Europe today that something is radical Islamist fundamentalism, in others it’s atheism and secularism, and in others it’s rampant consumerism.”
Mr Fletcher says the Strategic Leadership Consultation summit aims to address that challenge with creative, compassionate and courageous change strategies.
Church leaders attending the summit represent networks of churches essentially from the charismatic and pentecostal wings of the Church - the fastest growing section of the Church in many areas of the world.
Guest contributors will include:
- Dr. Patrick Dixon, Europe's leading futurist and author of the bestseller ‘FutureWise’. Patrick regularly speaks to Forbes 500 companies and is founder of ACET, a worldwide Christian charity helping those affected by HIV/AIDS.
- Dr. Joel Edwards, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance UK (representing 1 million Christians in 30,000 churches) is one of Europe's leading Christian strategists.
- Steve Chalke, MBE, founder of Oasis Trust Global and Faith Works, is at the forefront of efforts to launch major faith-based schools across the UK.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: If you'd like to report on this summit, or receive further information, please contact Mark Badham - (+358) (0) 442 701260 (Finland), mark@nextwaveonline.com
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