PTS Represented At Lausanne III
November 08, 2010 -Theology professor Ron Sider and Evangelism and Holistic Ministry professor Al Tizon were among those representing Palmer Seminary in Cape Town, South Africa at Lausanne III—the third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization. Also attending was former Seminary professor J. Samuel Escobar, who now resides in Spain and is a member of the Lausanne III Advisory Council. The first Lausanne Congress was held in Switzerland in 1974, the second in Manila, The Philippines in 1989.
Professors Al Tizon and Ron Sider in Cape Town
Dr. Tizon noted that “the cultural diversity of the Body of Christ was well represented on virtually all levels, from the plenary speakers to the musicians and artists to the workshop leaders to the various members of our designated small groups.” He noted also that “sisters in Christ” were very visible at Lausanne III as plenary speakers, facilitators and presenters. According to Tizon, in one plenary speech, a ministry couple made a compelling case that the partnership between women and men is the fundamental ground on which all other ministry partnerships are based. Said Tizon, “It gave me hope that the church can get past this issue and get on with the task of global holistic ministry.
Assessing the significance of the Movement, Tizon said, “Lausanne demonstrates the unity and the diversity of the body of Christ. To be visibly reminded of that every 15 or 20 years is a very good thing.” He adds, “However, I believe the real, on-the-ground, creative work of the gospel among the last, the least, and the lost happens outside the gate, outside the establishment—not in spite of the Movement, but simply beyond it.
