Conference explores theological differences between Western and majority world church  

Theological differences between Western Churches and those from the majority world – such as the teaching of the prosperity gospel – will be explored in a conference looking at how Christians of all backgrounds can work together more effectively

Called the Highs and Lows of Growing a Multi-ethnic Church, the conference is organised by Centre for Missionaries from the Majority World (CMMW) in partnership with Global Connections and takes place at the offices of the Evangelical Alliance on 21 March.

CMMW Director Israel Olofinjana, minister of Woolwich Central Baptist Church, explained that the conference is a follow up to issues raised at last September’s gathering at Spurgeon’s College.

Then church leaders and mission practitioners from across the UK and various cultural backgrounds met to explore how missionaries and pastors from the majority world - Africa, Asia, Caribbean and South America - can work in equal partnership with indigenous British Christians in the UK.

Increasing numbers of Christians from the global south are moving to the UK as missionaries, and the September conference at Spurgeon’s was organised to provide a space for honest discussion.

‘While it addressed some of the issues that create barriers for effective partnership, it did not fully address some of them in detail,’ said Mr Olofinjana ‘issues such as the theological differences between Western Churches and Churches from the Majority World. One example of this is the Prosperity Gospel as preached by some Black Majority Churches. 

‘As a team, we decided that we needed a follow up conference to explore some of these theological differences.’

cmmw welcome video - Rev Israel Olofinjana from cmmw.org on Vimeo.

The conference is split into two main parts. The first is led by Mark Sturge, Head of Christian Aid’s London Region, who will look at these theological differences, and draw attention to “theologies as opposed to theology,” said Mr Olofinjana.

The second part will be led by David Wise, senior pastor of Greenford Baptist Church in London, who will be speaking about how to grow multi-ethnic churches. He has seen Greenford transformed from being a traditional, almost entirely white British church, to one where people from over 40 nationalities are regularly involved.

‘David comes with around 25 years’ experience of growing a multi-ethnic church, and is a someone who trains other pastors on the subject,’ said Mr Olofinjana. 'The conference will give room for group discussions around these important topics.' 

 

The Highs and Lows of Growing a Multi-ethnic Church conference takes place on Saturday 21 March at Evangelical Alliance office in Kings Cross, London. It is organised by Centre for Missionaries from the Majority World in partnership with Global Connections, Evangelical Alliance and Ethiopian Christian Fellowhip Church.