The Cundy Christian Unity Lecture – ‘Unity with Intent’

Rev Joel Edwards – ‘Unity with Intent’

Wednesday, 27^th May 2015, 7pm

Leech Hall, St John’s College

All welcome

Evangelicalism has been typified by a doctrinal exclusivism which has made us nervous about alloyed relationships. However, in the last three decades, talk of ecumenism once regarded as a synonym for liberalism and apostasy has become the norm for many evangelicals. In the brave new world of collaboration, evangelicals have become more open to Christian unity. Has this trend been a concession to a culture of consensus and collaboration, or is it unity with missional intent? 

Rev. Joel Edwards is a writer, broadcaster and international speaker.  Until December 2014 he was International Director for Micah Challenge, a global Christian response to extreme poverty where he led the first global Christian response to corruption.  Prior to his role within Micah Challenge, Joel was General Director of the Evangelical Alliance UK, a post he held for over 10 years. He was also formerly a Commissioner on the Equality and Human Rights Commission for the UK. Currently Joel is an Advisory Member of Tony Blair’s Faith Foundation. He has also served as a member of the Advisory Board on Human Rights & Religious Freedom with the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office.  A regular broadcaster with the BBC and other UK and international media channels, Joel is often asked to bring a Christian perspective to current issues. 

Joel is an honorary Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral, London, and has an honorary doctorate from St Andrews University, Scotland. He is currently a doctoral student at St. John’s, Durham where he is also a Visiting Fellow of the College.  He is also Visiting Fellow at Spurgeon’s College.