The past 20 years have been like no other in history. Everything about the way we think and about the way we live has changed. The under-25s entered education when the concept of Truth had already become historical, even quaint. And the last quarter century has, as a result, proved fertile ground for amoral pragmatism, which, not surprisingly, gained easy acceptance in many areas of life. The Church needs leaders who can discern the times; leaders like the men of Issachar (1 Chronicles 12:32).
This abandonment of Truth has come at an unusual point in history. Twenty years ago we could barely have imagined the digital age as we now know it. Added to the changes it has brought, we have also seen advancement in biotechnology and new nanoscale possibilities. Together, these three open the door to anything fallen Man can desire; for all is now within our reach. The warning 'You shall be as gods' (Genesis 3:5) suddenly starts to make more sense. The sin of Babel seems mild in comparison.
New questions are emerging which are different from the older, familiar ones. And the older ones are also taking on new forms. Think, for example, of the issues surrounding the massive rise in people movements over the past 50 years, and of the trends in urbanisation, and of the penetration of other faiths. Christians need to talk, and global issues need global conversations.
an invitation to evangelicals everywhere to engage together with some of the most critical issues of our time bearing on world evangelization 
Let's talk
While there have been gatherings for discussion of major issues since the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15), a very different kind of meeting is now being planned. The Lausanne Movement is extending an invitation to evangelicals everywhere to engage together with some of the most critical issues of our time bearing on world evangelization. Please will you join us?
We need to link arms and work together - to listen and to learn and to take counsel from one another. For the first time in history this is a real possibility, with internet access available in universities and internet cafes almost everywhere, even if not in homes. Radio networks reach where internet is not as accessible, extending the conversation into living rooms throughout the world. We are mindful that in some countries our brothers and sisters have limited access to these means because of political regimes. We are not forgetful of them.
The Lord gave gifts to his Church to share, and through Lausanne the Africans can share their joy and perseverance, the Indians their wisdom on living in a pluralistic context, the Persecuted Church their precious trust of what it means to share in Christ's suffering, the converts from other faiths their insights into ways of reaching those whose faith they once shared; the West its scholarship (which we should remember was once found in North Africa) and so on around the world. The missions community has multi-faceted treasure to share.
Who will get the conversation going?
The Lausanne Movement is working with Christianity Today International to provide 12 key articles by leading theologians on issues facing the global church. Each article will be published in over 120 journals worldwide, in the same month, to spark the conversation globally. These articles each have commissioned respondents from different parts of the world and you are invited to add your insights. Join the conversation at www.lausanne.org/global-conversation/featured.html
How will it work?
Through blogs, radio programmes, discussion forums and other interactive tools like Twitter and Facebook, The Global Conversation will enable each person's voice to be heard. As iron sharpens iron, and as there is wisdom in the counsel of many, we trust the Lord will use this discussion to spur us on - not only to further dialogue but to strategy and action. We also hope that the conversation around key themes in world evangelization will enrich the life and mission of many churches and peoples as you encourage supporters and others to take part.
What are we talking about?
When conversations go viral, they take on a life of their own. While the articles and radio broadcasts are on particular themes, they will undoubtedly spark other areas. The conversation was opened by Chris Wright, Old Testament scholar and President of Langham Partnership International. It looked at the stirring theme in The Lausanne Covenant of 'the whole church' taking 'the whole gospel to the whole world'. To do this effectively, he argues, we must read 'the whole Bible', which evangelicals have often not done. The focus of the conversation is the final command of the Lord Jesus Christ which has never been rescinded: to bring his glorious gospel to all peoples and to every area of work and of society.
We have gone on to engage with the prosperity gospel and with issues surrounding Muslim background believers. We move in coming months to look at the environment, the biotech century, urbanization, and the new questions raised by massive people movements across the world.
Please think and pray about joining the conversation. Let it truly be 'iron sharpening iron'. We need to hear your voice, the voices of your colleagues in mission, the voices of your church. This global discussion will, we trust, be a means of God blessing his Church on earth.
