Dr Pablo Martinez explains the causes of spiritual abuse from a biblical perspective and recommends steps to take action.

Young evangelical leaders from around the world brought together by the Lausanne Movement, shared eight days in Jakarta (Indonesia). Thinkers like Os Guiness, Ravi Zacharias or Anne Zaki were part of a meeting in which participants from 150 countries talked face to face and initiated projects.

So as we look to the future, what should govern our aspirations? Perhaps Jesus’ models of salt and light in Matthew 5:13-16 could give us a framework.

Around 1,000 young Christian leaders from 150 countries are participating in the 2016 Lausanne Younger Leaders Gathering, to reflect on global mission.

We need to be people who guard hearts in the church environment.  Good music and good preaching is not enough.

I will never be more influential than when I succeed in helping people be reconciled with each other, with their situation, and ultimately with God.

“I see a generation that is humble to build on the wisdom of previous generations, but also bold enough to contextualize it and come up with new initiatives for global mission”, says Sarah Breuel, Chair of the Lausanne Movement Younger Leaders Gathering 2016. 

“Interdependence is a Christian principle, it’s good to learn from what is happening across Europe”, says video artist John Lumgair.

The week-long course was made up of twenty-one sessions which were delivered by Leonardo De Chirico, Gregg Allison, Greg Pritchard and Mike Reeves. “This week has been something of a dream come true.”

There is “a real appetite for the Bible and for training to communicate it more effectively”, believes Peter Mead.

The servant has to travel a road that is far from straightforward; and through his journey in Genesis 24 we can learn a lot. The one characteristic that stands out above all others is his single-mindedness in serving his master.

Churches that have gone through difficult times often unconsciously give space to news “messianic leaders” with a non-Biblical leadership, says Diane Langberg, Clynical Psychologist.

“We need to develop in young leaders the ability to recognize and nurture a calling of God into the ministry, even amidst career options that are much more lucrative”, says Dr. Steve Patty after conducting a wide-ranging study.

More than 700 participants at the European Leadership Forum conference in Poland. Networks, seminaries and plenary sessions gave biblical perspectives on current issues. John Piper: “Prayer is central, the world does not need more Christians with powerless ministries”.

Should the protest of Reformed Christians against laws allowing shopping on Sunday be heeded? Do transgendered people have a right to use the bathroom of the gender they identify with?

We love new technologies and we use them passionately. But we also know God’s mission is done through and for real people. The ELF conference in Wisla (Poland) reinforces our aim to analyse the big challenges of today through the Christian worldview.

The gospel and Europe. More than 700 participants from across Europe share their experiences and get quality training during the 2016 European Leadership Forum.

Dr Pablo Martinez is one of the authors of the ‘Pastoral Guide for the prevention of spiritual abuse’. In an interview, he explains the causes from a biblical perspective, and recommends steps to take action.

The “Guide for the prevention of spiritual abuse”, released by the AEE, “wants to analyse the situation and give tools to the church, so that they can prevent the abuse.”

Jesus was able to command others to follow him, yet his approach to leading these followers was to build close relationships where he taught in small groups, challenged, mentored, and answered their questions. 

“There is no dichotomy between doctrinal content and relationship”, pastor Mark Stirling says.

The politician came to faith in a Brethren church and later was member of the Waldensian church. He had strong convictions but was distinguished by his commitment to dialogue and peace.

International Leadership Forum participants from across the world met in Seoul with local pastors. Table discussions about Bible engagement, Evangelism and Discipleship, Women and the Church.

The media’s interpretation of the significance of the discovery a few months before it was made reflects the need most humans feel to find ultimate spiritual reality.

We have to choose between impress the people or serve the people. Let’s lead out of our weakness and not out of our strength.