Will the world listen differently now? Believers have always been called to preach in the face of unspeakable evil; to confront the worst wickedness, to proclaim good in the midst of bad news, and to offer a message of hope and restora tion to hopeless souls.
But what do we say in the face of such overwhelming loss? Do we really have something to offer New York City, Washington, D.C., or the rest of human ity which has watched terrorists hijack our dreams, murder our friends and rel atives, and jolt our world into a horrible reality beyond the worst we could have ever imagined.
We believed secure cocoons of steel, glass, and technology could insulate and protect us. Harsh reality has stripped our souls more bare than the hole in Manhattan's skyline. What is really eter nal and what is transitory?
Before we glibly assure ourselves that our message is of unchanging and eter nal value, we must stare long into the hearts of families who have been ripped apart and ponder the questions they confront.
Does the Christian message change after terrorists destroy twin towers? If it doesn't—and I believe even now that the gospel's good news remains con stant—can we assume that people will now listen differently? Or will God's word be drowned in the cacophony of voices which cry for retribution or threaten even greater catastrophe.
Can we speak God's word in such a way that we will break through human ity's traumatized preoccupation barrier? Isn't our greatest mission challenge the streets of the world's greatest cities more than the dense jungle or small backwaters of remote lands.
Historic Edinburgh, Scotland, will be the site of the next International Congress Preaching (ICOP), April 9-11, 2002. Appropriately, "Preaching in a Missionary Age" is the theme for this great interdenominational event spon sored by Preaching magazine.
While some have thought that the age of missionaries—and thus the need for preaching in a missionary setting— has past, reality is far different. Many nations which once were considered Christianized are now the very mission frontiers of post-modern society. Likewise, some countries previously the target of mission endeavors now send missionaries to reach those people who once sponsored gospel proclamation.
Presenters include Lloyd John Ogilvie, William Augustus Jones, Jr., John MacArther, Peter Grainger, Edwin Young, William Hinson, David Jackman, Robert Leslie Holmes, John Huffman, William Self, William Willimon, Greg Scharf, and David Searle.
Ministry magazine's annual satellite Professional Growth Seminar will be uplinked live from Edinburgh on April 10 in a unique joint-venture project between the two hosting magazines.
Adventist preacher, Rear Admiral Barry Black, Chief of U.S. Navy Chaplains, will join other speakers in the live broadcast which will also feature highlights of var ious congress events. Other preachers or seminar speakers familiar to Ministry readers include Peter Bath, Sharon Cress, and lan Sweeney.
Register your attendance for the International Congress on Preaching, P.O. Box 369, Jackson, TN, USA 38302- 0369, or online at www. preachingcongress.com. Phone: 800.288.9763 or 731.668.9948. Fax: 731.668.9633 Make registration checks payable in US$ 225.
To register your site for the live satel lite downlink (available in most parts of the world), contact Nikolaus Satelmajer, Ministry Professional Growth Seminars, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD USA 20904; Call 301.680.6507; Fax 301.680.6502 or email 102555.2473® compuserve.com.
Edinburgh is a perfect city to host this event with its rich tradition of great preaching from the fiery reformer, John Knox to James Stewart, the gifted pro fessor/preacher of the twentieth century.
By the way, ICOP attendees will want to read a new biography, John Knox, by Rosalind K. Marshall, 2000, Birlinn Ltd. Edinburgh (Available online from Amazon.com). The book presents a bal anced yet sympathetic treatment of the great preacher and debunks some of the myths often tossed about by his critics. Once you read the book, you'll be eager to visit St. Giles Cathedral and the John Knox House (whether or not he ever actually lived there)!
Edinburgh is also an enjoyable city for visitors. The "Royal Mile" is one of Europe's most popular tourist destina tions from Edinburgh Castle at one end to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, official residence of the royal family while in Scotland. Allow several hours to explore and enjoy the sites.
You will benefit and grow from this great congress. Plus, perhaps more than ever, in the light of recent tragedies, the world may be ready to lis ten differently as we preach Christ in a missionary age.
