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Lessons We Need

from the Global Church

By: Ajith Fernando

Any astute observer of the church worldwide would realize that there is a crisis
relating to leadership within the church. Among the many reasons for this is the fact
that most churches in both the western and non-western world have been greatly
PHOTO: Christians gather
to pray in Cambodia. influenced by models of leadership that are closer to the culture in which they
operate than to the Scriptures. Addressing this issue biblically and practically is one
of the most urgent needs the church faces in my part of the world and, I believe,
elsewhere too.

The life of the church in the Majority World has been immeasurably enriched by
riches from the western world through literature and other media. We are grateful
for that contribution and must continue to be enriched in this way. But the church
worldwide needs to hear from the Christians in the Majority World also. There are
unique riches there which can bless the universal church. We need each other.
Our theology of the body of Christ demands a partnership in all fields of Christian
endeavor. Much partnership is taking place these days in the fields of mission
strategy and practice. But we also need partnership in Christian thinking covering
the different segments of theology, including the theology of leadership.

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