LP News October 2012

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newsL A N G H A M PARTNERSHIP

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L A N G H A M P A R T N E R S H I P

The Langham Partnership (UK and Ireland)

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Chair of TrusteesDavid Cansdale

Executive DirectorIan BuchananPO Box 997.Guildford, GU1 9DSTel: 01483 825295Email: [email protected]

International DirectorChris Wright19 Whitfi eld Place, London, W1T 5JXTel: 020 7209 0915Email: [email protected]

■ Langham Preaching International Programme Director: Jonathan Lamb 16 Eden Drive, Headington, Oxford, OX3 0AB.

■ Langham Literature International Programme Director: Pieter Kwant PO Box 296 Carlisle CA3 9WZ Email: [email protected]

■ Langham Scholars National Scholar Director: Ian Shaw PO Box 19140, Strathaven, ML10 9AA. Email: [email protected]

If you would like multiple copies of this magazine for friends, church members, etc., please ask Liz Wright, address below.

Please send donations to:Mrs Liz Wright19 Whitfi eld Place, London, W1T 5JXTel/Fax: 020 7209 0915Email: [email protected] Charity No. 1092233Company limited by guarantee. No. 4235957

3 It's a small world

4 Changing a Church

6 Langham Preaching calendar

8 Karma versus Grace in Cambodia

10 Welcome from Frances Whitehead

11 A Centre for Peace in the Centre of Violence

Have you considered including Langham Partnership in your will?Like many mission organisations we can benefi t greatly when friends make a fi nal gift that continues to bless the ministries they have generously supported in life. Once you have made proper and primary provision for family and friends this can be a very effective way to go on making a difference to the church on earth when you have joined the church in glory! If you would like to consider this option in your will please let us know and we wiill send you a helpful legacy leafl et. Contact Ian Buchanan, whose details are on the side panel.

Langham Partnership’s VisionOur vision is to see churches equipped for mission and growing to maturity in Christ through the ministry of pastors and leaders who believe, teach and live by the Word of God.

In this issue

Cover image: Medellin, Columbia


hat's what we often say when we are struck by unexpected connections between people or places that otherwise seem

far apart. And it’s also how we could describe our new logo for Langham Partnership. It’s a small world – a miniature globe. But it’s been drawn with fl owing lines that run in all directions, connecting everywhere to everywhere. And that says something about Langham too. We are a global fellowship connecting people from every part of the world in the task of raising the standards of biblical preaching and teaching so that Christians and churches can grow in Christlikenes and be better equipped for their mission in the world. And mission today, as Michael Nazir-Ali said (one of the fi rst Langham Scholars), is ‘from everywhere to everywhere.’

It’s a globe where the orientation is clearly to the south – the great continents of Africa, Latin America, Eurasia, Asia – and that also speaks of where our heart is. It’s where the majority of the world’s Christians live and where the life, vigour, mission, theology and leadership of God’s worldwide family will increasingly come from. That’s where most of our partners are – now comprising more than 60 national movements around the world.

And alongside the contemporary globe - the word Langham in a strong classical font, the kind of font you fi nd on the cover of the Holy Bible. We are rooted in the great historic traditions of our faith and remain committed to the centrality of the Bible in our vision and mission.

A fl uid, interconnected, ‘small world’. An unchanged commitment to God’s word. That’s what I think our new logo says. We like it. We hope you will too.

Chris WrightInternational Director

It’s a small worldT

L A N G H A M P A R T N E R S H I P N E W S 3

That s what I think our

Ch i W i ht

PS Look out for our new logo on the website – www.langham.org - and all our publications from 1st December.

L A N G H A M P R E A C H I N G

4 A U T U M N 2 0 1 2

pread across the valley fl oor as well as high on the

mountain-sides of the northern Andes, Medellin is Colombia’s second city, with a population approaching 3 million. Whilst it was once infamous for drug traffi cking and urban violence, today it is an impressive example of economic development and social renewal.

Medellin is also the home of several active Langham teams, including teachers at the seminary who are working on the Latin American Bible Commentary, and several Langham Preaching escuelitas (preachers clubs).

Carlos and Luz Cardona have been active members of an escuelita that has met every week for four years. It is

made up of 6 pastors from different Medellin churches, and they meet each

Monday afternoon to work together on Bible passages, which they

will then preach in each of the churches the following Sunday.

It has been a new experience for their churches to work

through Bible books systematically. But that’s not all …

Carlos and Luz have also ensured that the same Bible passages are taught at every level of the church – so that children and young people understand the force of the Bible message, and whole families can discuss what is being taught each Sunday. Carlos and Luz are an impressive husband and wife team. Carlos is teaching 2 Corinthians each Sunday, based on the shared study and application from the preachers club; and Luz is teaching the whole Bible story on Wednesday evenings,

Changing a ChurchBy Jonathan Lamb, Langham Preaching

S

■ Carlos & Luz Cardona, Medellin, Colombia



using the Spanish translation of ‘Preaching God’s Big Story’, a collection of Bible passages that provide the church with a Bible overview.

They have a clear agenda for change: ‘Our focus on teaching Bible books’ says Carlos, ‘overcomes the danger of preaching what I think the church needs, instead of what the Bible says.’ And what about the congregation? Some members work on the Bible passages the Sunday before they are preached; families discuss the practical teaching; and they are discovering the impact of the living Word. They not only express gratitude that they are learning the truth of the Bible – it is making a difference to their lives and families.


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October1-5 Central American Project

13-15 Indonesia

15-17 Guyana

18-20 Trinidad

22-25 DR Congo

29-Nov 2 Burundi

November3 Zimbabwe

5-8 Rwanda

5-9 Indonesia

5-9 Ghana

6-9 Indonesia

8-11 Ecuador

9-11 Rwanda

10 Uganda

14-17 Ecuador

14-18 Greece

19-23 Liberia

19-23 Cambodia

26-29 Indonesia

26-30 DR Congo

December1 Zimbabwe

1-3 Congo Brazzaville

3-6 Central African Republic

3-6 Papua New Guinea

3-7 Kenya

3-7 Macedonia

January

14-18 India (North East)

21-25 Myanmar

21-24 Spain

24-26 Benin

28-30 Benin

27-1 Feb Togo

28-1 Feb Sri Lanka

February

16 Uganda

19-21 Pacifi c Consultation, Australia

21-24 Ethiopia

March

13-16 Pakistan

25-26 Philippines

During March Bolivia

During March Nepa

April15-19 Colombia

17-20 Sierra Leone

22-25 Chile

Langham Preaching Country programmes 2012/13As of October 1, 2012

Langham Partnership (UK & Ireland) is launching a new web site (www.9aday.co.uk ) with a number of valuable FREE resources to encourage people in the journey. Videos, sermons, bible studies, the results of a nation-wide survey and documentaries of LP at work can all be obtained from the site. And we’re encouraging you to share a story of

someone you know who has behaved in a Christlike way in your own life as well.

Tell your friends and family and help Langham Partnership to keep the issue of becoming ever more like the Jesus we proclaim on the agenda for our churches here at home.

National UK & Ireland Campaign

It’s not often that Langham Partnership has the opportunity to raise the volume on the call to keep pursuing Christlikeness through God’s Word here at home – but from January to July 2013 we’re doing just that.

#9aday

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8 A U T U M N 2 0 1 2

The inescapable law of Karma

n Cambodia a famous saying sums up the inescapable law of karma: ‘Do

Good, Get Good’. The ‘iron law’ of karma teaches that people who do bad deeds will receive bad in return, and people who do good will receive good. This may be quick in coming, or may carry over to a future existence or even to future generations. You must be careful not to pile up too much bad merit – in a future life someone may torture you like you harmed that insect as a child!

But indigenous Christian publishing house ‘Fount of Wisdom’ is turning the traditional cocktail of Theravada Buddhism and animism on its head. Being Cambodian themselves they know best which ideas need challenging and how to do it most effectively. With support from Langham Literature they are preparing to publish a commentary on the

book of Romans under the title ‘RECEIVE GOOD, DO GOOD’. It explains how Romans 1-11 sets out the foundations of the Christian faith – a gospel of free grace and freedom from sin through Christ. This is the good we fi rst receive. Then in chapters 12-16 Paul gives clear, practical guidelines for how the gospel must then transform the way we live. The law of karma is one of works and fear; the gospel of God begins with His grace. We receive salvation freely from God, and then have the Spirit’s power to imitate Jesus.

It is a message that is being understood, and lives are indeed being transformed in Cambodia. The church has grown from only a few hundred in the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge slaughter, to around 250,000 today. The author of the commentary on Romans works in Ratanakiri province where many tribal groups are turning to Christ and away from spirit worship. Villager Klan Ly, 56, said she had completely abandoned her fears of black magic after fi nding Christ. ‘Now Jesus protects us and my old Buddha cannot use the black magic on us anymore’. In the village of Somkul, about 80 per

Karma versus Grace in Cambodia

I

By Colin Macpherson, Langham Literature

■ The inescapable law of Karma



cent of the community have given up on spirits and ghosts in favour of the Word of God. A small wooden church has emerged where the word of Jesus Christ, or ‘Yesu Yang’ to the Jarai, is now preached. Those who preach and study it are thankful for the books produced by Fount of Wisdom. Thon Chanthol, currently a student at Phnom Penh Bible School said:

‘The books which Fount of Wisdom publish are so useful, especially the ‘Bridge Bible Commentaries’ which help me when preparing sermons. Other books I have

used include ‘Know Who You Believe’, ‘God’s Big Picture’ and ‘Dig Deeper’ These books have really helped me to understand more about God and how to live as a Christian.’

Fount of Wisdom is a prime example of how an indigenous publishing house can effectively speak into a culture, through books that bring God’s word into the local context. Local believers can open up God’s truth in culturally

relevant and appropriate ways. Fount of Wisdom also regularly sends books to pastors in Ratanakiri as part of their ‘Pastors’ Packs’ initiative.

Langham Literature is assisting Fount of Wisdom through a programme of training, mentoring and fi nancial support for the production of selected titles in the local language. Funds are now being sought for the production of titles such as ‘How to Read the Bible’ by M Tay, and an exposition of Revelation 1–3 entitled ‘What Christ

Thinks of the Church’ by John Stott.

Please pray for Fount of Wisdom in their task of helping grow and strengthen the church in Cambodia. Pray that they would have vision and wisdom. Pray that their books would penetrate deep into the tribal corners of the country and that God’s Word would penetrate deep into the minds and hearts of the local peoples. Pray that they would be freed from the fear of bad karma, and be transformed instead by the free grace of God.

■ Ethnic Jarai villages carry a cow to be butchered to appease the spirits

■ The church in Somkul commune where ‘Yesu Yang’ is now preached:


10 A U T U M N 2 0 1 2

Frances was John Stott’s secretary for more than 50 years and so many of John’s friends loved and appreciated her as well. It is now over a year since John Stott died and in that time Frances has been clearing the offi ce

at 12 Weymouth Street from which she served him and kept track of his writings, correspondence

and organizations. That task is now complete, the offi ce and its phone line have been handed back to All Souls Church, and Frances has now fully retired from that role and has moved to her home in Bourne End.

However she does not want to lose track of old friends! On the contrary, she is keen to keep in touch. So, if you would like to do so, please feel free to contact her (by phone, letter, email). She would be delighted to hear from you!

Welcome from Frances Whitehead

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Address:5 Abbeymead, Elm Lane, Bourne End, Bucks. SL8 5PG

Phone:01628-520955email:[email protected]

L A N G H A M S C H O L A R S


hortly after these incidents, a BBC correspondent wrote, ‘The Nigerian

city of Jos has become synonymous for the bloody violence which occasionally breaks out between its Christian and Muslim communities.’ Many local Muslims do not agree with the attacks against Christians, although they cannot publicly express this sentiment for fear of retaliation. Though often it is the Boko Haram, a Muslim sect, which initiates the deadly attacks, Christians – especially youth – are enticed into retaliation, which escalates the death toll. The Archbishop of Jos, Benjamin Kwashi, refl ected, ‘You only need to study the reprisals in Jos and Kaduna and you’ll see that the young people are getting out of control … After all what have they got to lose? They are jobless, they are unemployable, they are hungry, they are angry and it may spiral into anything.’

A Centre for Peace in the Centre of Violence

What can one academic scholar do in the face of such bloody battles for political and religious control? Besides serving at the seminary, Sunday has taken up the role of community leader and mentor to the local youth, helping them push for justice and confront the

S

Thirteen days after our staff sat down for lunch in San Francisco with Dr Sunday Agang, a Langham Scholar from Nigeria who was visiting the USA for a few weeks, there was a violent attack in his homeland that killed 37 people. Just two weeks prior to his departure, there had been an attack on a Christian church in a village close to Kagoro. Kagoro is the city where Sunday now lives and serves as President of the Theological Seminary Kagoro, 92 kilometres west of Jos.

By Tiffany Randall Su, Langham Scholars

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12 A U T U M N 2 0 1 2

Luke

Wayne

government in a nonviolent manner. In this way, Sunday hopes to direct their energy and emotion toward a positive end. They have responded to his leadership and encouragement by telling him that they wish he had been there for a long time – he is someone they can fall back on.

This isn’t Sunday’s fi rst peace-making venture. Once there was a river that divided a Christian community in half during the rainy season. The river, located

in Moro’aland in Southern Kaduna State (where Kagoro is located), would swell and become dangerous to cross, but people had no choice but to make the attempt. Many people drowned, and members of that community appealed to government offi cials to build a bridge. The offi cials were Muslim, and they apparently didn’t care to help the Christians. Then, in 2001, Sunday co-founded Gawon Ministries, which

provides humanitarian and spiritual care for widows and orphans.

Gawon started a programme in this community by the river, and

the governor caught wind of the loving care provided to

Muslim widows and orphans by a Christian organization. He was deeply moved, and he decided to award a contract to build a bridge that would prevent the drowning. This was not just any bridge – it was a world-class structure that went above and beyond their expectations!

Sunday’s heartbeat is to work for peace between Christians and Muslims. He says about his seminary, ‘I ask myself, ‘Why is the seminary here? How can the

seminary serve the people – not just the church?’ The seminary can be a place where we only think about people within the church, and not society as a whole, and we are detached from what is happening in society. If you do that, then the relevance of the seminary is lost. We need to remember that we are there not just for the church, but also for

the whole society. So, for us to be a part of society and understand what is happening and prepare people for public life, we need to be engaged with what is happening.’

His dreams for the seminary include the establishment of a linguistics department so that the process of translating the Bible into the eighteen languages in Southern Kaduna state can be done locally. Also, not surprisingly, he wants to establish a centre for peace. He says, ‘In spite of all this killing, what other options do we have? How do we discuss it? How do we go forward from what has happened? How do we break the cycle of violence? Is it possible to do it? Yes, it is.’

Here is a chance to buy a commemorative double DVD containing John Stott’s fi nal public talk at the Keswick Convention plus his funeral at All Souls and subsequent St Paul’s memorial service.

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A LIFE THATSTILL SPEAKS


You can link through to the EssentialChristian web site:

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A LIFE THAT STILL SPEAKS: A VISION THAT INSPIRES

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By going to www.thegivingmachine.com you’ll see just how easy it is. Click on “join” and then choose “Langham Partnership UK & Ireland” for your

account. Then whenever you shop on-line via Giving Machine a portion of what you spend will be given to Langham Partnership.

You can give to Langham Partnership whilst shopping online at no extra cost to yourself!

Tell your friends and family and help Langham Partnership to keep the issue of becoming ever more like the Jesus we proclaim on the agenda for our churches here at home.

What can you do now? All the above resources will be added to a church pack (DVD plus leaders guide) for use in church and house groups. This pack will be made public in June 2013.

Look out for the new web site (www.9aday.co.uk) with a number of valuable FREE resources to encourage people in the journey. Videos, sermons, Bible studies and the results of a nation-wide survey.

If you would like to be given more information about this church pack, closer to the launch date (June 2013), please tick the appropriate box in the magazine response form.

u would like to bbe iigivevenn momomorererere

November 18 Jonathan Lamb speaking at the Sunday morning service at Myton Evangelical Church, Warwick

November 23 Ian Shaw speaking at Charlotte Chapel Men’s Fellowship, Edinburgh

December 7 Jonathan Lamb speaking at the Sleaford Keswick evening event

December 8 Ian Shaw speaking at Greenview Evangelical Church, Glasgow

December 9 Chris Wright speaking at All Souls Church, Langham Place, 9.30am and 11.30am

December 16 Ian Shaw speaking at Strathaven Evangelical Church, Strathaven, Scotland

January 6 Ian Shaw speaking at Strathaven Evangelical Church, Strathaven, Scotland


January 20 Jonathan Lamb speaking at the Sunday morning service at Hebron Evangelical Church, Carlisle


February 2 Belfast Prayer Meeting, 7.30pm Malone House, Barnett, Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast

February 3 Ian Shaw speaking at Penicuik Baptist Church, Edinburgh

February 10 Chris Wright speaking at Christ Church, Fulwood, Sheffi eld

February 10 Jonathan Lamb speaking at the Sunday morning service at City Church, Birmingham

February 13 Jonathan Lamb speaking at Oak Hill Theological College, London

March 3 Ian Buchanan speaking at Send Evangelical Church, Woking

For more information on these events and the work of Langham Partnership or to sign up for our monthly eNewsletter, please visit our website: www.langhampartnership.org

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LP News October 2012