Announcements

TC-08 Bangkok, Thailand

April 2008

Plans are in hand for a consultation to be held in October in Bangkok in association with the TC's annual meeting, Oct 22-25. The topic, finalised in talks between the TC and local theologians, will be "Holistic Gospel in a developing community." The TC will contribute two plenary papers on the biblical/theological foundations and historical developments. They will be presented by Dr Brian Edgar (Australia/Asbury Theological Seminary) and Dr Justin Thacker (Head of Theology, EA UK). These presentations will be followed by in-depth discussion on several areas of application of this theme in relation to the practical work of churches in Thailand covering topics such as ministries relating to children, prostitution, HIV/AIDs and the issues of politics and corruption.

In addition there will be another English language discussion group which will focus on international aspects of the topic. It will include contributions from theologians present at the consultation as well as input from participants in an on-line discussion group recently set up by the TC with the intention of gathering insights, experiences and resources from people around the world who are not able to attend in person. Findings from both the Thai language discussions and the international group (including the e-group) will be compiled into a document to be available from the TC display at the WEA General Assembly which follows TC-08 in Pattaya, Oct 25-30.

The annual TC gathering, Oct 22-25, is open to TC commissioners, Global Members and invited guests and observers and other interested friends by arrangement. The Global membership scheme enables anyone interested in the work of international evangelical theological activity to participate fully in the annual gathering of the TC and the rest of its activities. Membership and annual subscription details are available on request and those interested in TC-08 are invited to contact the TC office for more information.

Contextualisation Study Unit

The WEA Theological Commission study unit on Contextualisation will hold a writing session in Oxford UK in August 2008 to develop papers on its current project. The Convenor, Dr Matt Cook, is leading the group which is at present preparing its work and sharing information electronically. More than a dozen scholars from around the world will assemble to discuss their concepts face to face and to advance the editing of their manuscripts. Representatives of the WEA Missions Commission will also be present and later in the year there will be more collaboration between as the two groups work on the same topic. The focus of the TC will be on contextualising exegesis and it is hoped that the papers of both groups can be co-published in book form. Further financial support is urgently required for this project and those able to help are requested to contact the TC as soon as possible.