Darrell Bock: Hopes for Cape Town 2010

Lausanne-Capetown 2010. October 15-26, 2010

It does not happen very often. This is the third time. The others were in 1974 (Lausanne) and 1989 (Manila). On October 15-26 over 4000 Christian leaders from around the world will gather to reflect on the call of God for the church. 

There will be discussions about truth, reconciliation, the gospel, and the needs of the church worldwide. Each region of the world will get to speak. Beyond this over 600 sites in over 90 countries will be hooked up to watch and participate, so that the event truly will cover the globe.

I am looking forward to hearing what God is doing around the world. I hope to be inspired and renewed in my sense of call. I also hope to sense a greater connection with other believers around the world as we consider what God has called us all to do in and for the world.

My role is Communications Coordinator for the command center of over 600 global link sites. I am overseeing 15 people who will work three shifts around the clock to bring summaries of the events to the Globalink sites to make the conference even more global. Our job is to produce video summaries of sessions within 5 hours of their ending and post them on the Net so other locales can get a sense of what is going on. We will have video material, and reflection questions, as well as summaries of the content. 

The schedule is a full one. Exposition of Ephesians will lead off each day. Key topics are a part of the second set of daily meetings of the full gathering. Topics are truth, reconciliation, world faiths, priorities, integrity, and partnership. In addition, specific topics will be the focus of certain afternoon sessions. In the evening sessions, reports on what is taking place in various continents and among various kinds of people groups will take place. 

The participation involves people from around the world, symbolically indicated by locating the conference in Capetown. Speakers also come from around the world. I have no favorites, here, just expectations of being encouraged to walk more faithfully with God and reflect on His calling for us. The event is about God and the church in the world, not the speakers.

What can one hope for? Among many things, a sense of God’s work around the world, an education about needs for the church, a renewed focus on what we are called to do and be, and a real sense of what the global church is. These are all significant in their own right, but together they should make for an event worth watching and reflecting on. 

If you want to know more, go to http://www.lausanne.org/cape-town-2010. 

It does not happen very often. It will be worth it. 

Darrell Bock

 Dr. Darrell Bock is Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He also is Professor for Spiritual Development and Culture there. He is an Editor at Large for Christianity Today and is a Past President of the Evangelical Theological Society (2000-2001). He is the author of over twenty books and is a New York Times Best Selling author.