2024 Politics and Society Network
- Image
The European Politics and Society Network is designed to teach key Christian political, legal, and social leaders how to be salt and light through effectively communicating Christ’s character in their respective contexts. Applicants should be those who are working in the areas of politics, law, campaigning, or community action. Both seasoned lawyers, activists, and campaigners and aspirants will benefit from the input of leading thinkers and practitioners. Prior preparation will be set for all applicants.
What Network Participants Are Saying
- "This year was my first time at the Forum and I can’t express enough what a blessing it has been so far and what a heaven it has been for my spiritual maturity and for networking. I am delighted to connect with Christians from all over the world, to learn from them, to make new friends, to pray, and to dream big dreams. I have made so many connections with people in the Politics and Society Network and have already made plans to train volunteers and organize camps."
- Khatuna Liluashvili, Youth for Christ Board Member, Georgia - "Being at the European Leadership Forum is so encouraging, helpful, and uplifting. Thanks to the Politics and Society Network I have gained knowledge and spoken with experienced people to have a better understanding of what my ministry is about. I am learning how to have courage, how to understand social issues, how to talk with others about very complex problems like war or abortion, and how to raise a voice in our countries and spread the name of the Lord."
- Marta Sobiech-Buzala, Social Scientist, Poland
Applicants should be those who are working in areas of politics, campaigning, or community action. Both seasoned campaigners and aspirant politicians will benefit from the input of leading thinkers and practitioners.
Network Leadership
Network Speakers
Dave Benson is a leading thinker and researcher on the role of faith in 21st-Century western culture. Formerly a high school teacher, then lecturer at Malyon Theological College in Brisbane, Australia, he now heads up the LICC’s work for Culture & Discipleship. In part, this role includes… Read more
Darrell L. Bock is Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, as well as Executive Director of Cultural Engagement for the Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership there. An author of over forty books, his special fields of study involve… Read more
Stefan Gustavsson is a member of the European Leadership Forum Steering Committee. He is the director for Apologia – Centre for Christian Apologetics and makes his home in Stockholm. He was the founding general secretary for 16 years of the Swedish Evangelical Alliance. Stefan travels widely… Read more
Ross Hendry serves as CEO of CARE since his appointment in November 2021. Prior to joining CARE, he was the CEO of Spurgeons', one of the UK’s largest children’s charities. He has also served as Deputy CEO at the office for the Children’s Commissioner in England and as Head of Public Policy… Read more
Charlie Hoare is a co-leader of the European Politics and Society Network. He received his bachelor's degree in History at the University of Durham. After a year of working for a British Member of Parliament, he studied law before taking a master’s degree at the London School of Economics… Read more
Driton Krasniqi is a well-known pastor in Kosovo. He was the president of the Kosova Protestant Evangelical Church (KPEC) from 2011-2018. From 2018 onwards, he has been part of Scripture Union, leading the Kosovo office. Previously, he served as country manager for the international charity… Read more
Nola Leach is a co-leader of the European Politics and Society Network and served as the Chief Executive of CARE (Christian Action Research & Education), one of Europe’s leading Christian charities, which provides resources and helps bring Christian insight and experience to matters of… Read more
Roxana Stanciu is a co-leader of the European Politics and Society Network and serves as Director of Operations and Development at Christ Church Mayfair Trust London. Prior to this, she was the Chief Operating Officer of CARE (Christian Action, Research and Education) in London. CARE’s vision is… Read more
Christopher Townsend chairs the editorial group of Cambridge Papers, a quarterly publication with the strapline ‘Towards a Biblical Mind’, which aims to help Christians engage with a complex and changing world (www.cambridgepapers.org). He wrote ‘… Read more
Jiří Unger is the General Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance in the Czech Republic and former president of the European Evangelical Alliance. Jiří leads the M4 Church Planting training… Read more
Network Programme
Sunday, 26 May
This introductory session will set out the biblical case for political and social engagement. We will explore some of the key elements of what it looks like to engage well and gain practical tools from group exercises.
Following Jesus has arguably never been more confusing than in this cultural moment. With the faith of many falling by the wayside and the challenges mounting for those pursuing a distinctively Christian vision in the public square, what might we learn from our Saviour’s journey with two disenchanted disciples en route to Emmaus? This session will build on a biblical case for political and social engagement, forming a process of reflective action (learning to listen, imagine, create, and communicate). It will help us each contextualise what we’re discussing and construct our own public theology appropriate to being wise peacemakers who faithfully represent Christ and fruitfully seek first His kingdom in our particular time and place as whole-life disciples.
Monday, 27 May
This session will offer an overview of the ‘strange new world of gender’, its key ideas and its impact on society. We will look at the roots of ‘gender identity’ theory, the idea that sex is ‘assigned at birth’, the rise in the number of people identifying as trans or non-binary, the contested nature of medical care for gender-questioning patients, and political struggles over ‘trans rights’. We will consider several key biblical themes which form the ‘Bible’s better story’ with respect to our physical bodies, sex, gender, and identity.
In this session, more time will be given over to group discussion, as we consider the aims, opportunities, obstacles, and practicalities when seeking to contribute a Christian perspective on these issues in the ‘public square’.
Tuesday, 28 May
In this session, we examine six key passages on cultural engagement in a context where a theology of engagement is lacking and where some have defined the Cultural War in ways that are not as biblical as it should be. These texts emphasize the spiritual dimensions of the battle, not forgetting how God came to us, the importance of tone, the indispensability of the Gospel as hope, the challenge-invitation nature of the Gospel, and a call to be faithful, leaving heart change to God.
Each member of the panel will briefly share their own story and how their evangelical faith has made an impact in their context. Drawing out what they see as the key lesson they have learnt and what positive gospel impact looks like, participants will be challenged about what practical tips and principles will look like in their lives. There will be an extended time of question and answer.
Wednesday, 29 May
For more than a millennium Christianity, at least in its cultural form, was the foundation of the Western world and provided the context for the local church as well as for the individual Christian. All that has now changed. As followers of Christ, we find ourselves being a minority within an increasingly hostile environment and with culture wars being fought on all sides. How should that new situation, a pluralistic culture with a secular majority, affect our perspectives and our priorities as Christians who still want to be involved in society?
There is no area in the realm of politics and society into which our Christian faith does not speak. Across this Network, participants have grappled with considerable issues of our day and sought to understand how we, as Christians, can best stand for the Lord and help His Church shine as a light for hope and truth. This session will bring together the key points that have emerged across the four days with some curated time that will help embed key learnings at an individual and group level. It will be the start of planning what each person can do as they go back to their network and what support and resources will help them realise their aims.