A Decentralised Study and Dialogue Process

MISSION IN HUMILITY AND HOPE

In important ways the celebration of Edinburgh 2010 and the process leading towards it will be different from the Edinburgh 1910 Conference and study process. 

• 1.   Rather than being centred in Edinburgh, a polycentric approach will be taken, both for the study process and for 2010 events which will take place  in many locations around the world including Edinburgh. 
• 2.   Whereas 1910 was confined to mainline Protestantism, the participants in 2010 will be drawn from the whole range of Christian traditions and confessions. 
• 3.  Instead of being largely limited to the North Atlantic, there will be an intentional bias to the South, recognising that Christianity’s centre of gravity has moved markedly southwards during the past century. The process will aim to be truly worldwide in its scope. 

This chapter summarises some plans for reaching the intended outcomes. First, it outlines the major themes to be considered by the common study process. It will then describe how such a process could be envisaged. Finally, additional themes considered as ”transversals” will be presented. The approach should not be limited to an academic one only, but should – where applicable – seek to include non-formal ways of creating action-based learning. Pilot projects can be organized / encouraged in select countries, which will engage Christians in ecumenical mission in such action-reflection processes, focused on one of the nine study themes.