The Lausanne Cape Town Commitment on Partnership
In October 2010, over 4,000 Christian leaders from 198 countries gathered in Cape Town, South Africa, to discuss critical issues of the time as they related to the church and evangelization. This was the Third Lausanne Congress, convening nearly 35 years after the original Lausanne Congress in 1974, called by Billy Graham.
Written as a roadmap for the Lausanne Movement, The Cape Town Commitment presents a statement of shared Biblical convictions, and calls Christians all over the world to action.
Part Two of this document focused on six priorities. The critical importance of unity and partnership within and across the Body of Christ was identified as one of those six priorities for the church.
Partnering in the body of Christ for unity in mission.
- Paul teaches us that Christian unity is a creation of God, based on our reconciliation with God and with one another. We lament the divisiveness of our churches and organizations, because a divided Church has no message for a divided world. Our failure to live in reconciled unity is a major obstacle to authenticity and effectiveness in mission.
- We commit to partnership in global mission. No one ethnic group, nation or continent can claim the exclusive privilege of being the ones to complete the Great Commission.
- Two specific aspects of unity in mission are the partnership of women and men and the recognition of the missional nature of theological education.
- The Cape Town Commitment. The 3rd Lausanne Congress. Cape Town, South Africa. 2010.
