The Exchange

As a young intercultural studies scholar from India who lives in the USA and serves in theological higher education, attending Lausanne Four (4) in Seoul-Incheon was an exciting experience.

After reading the Seoul Statement, I am concerned that the Lausanne Movement existing for World Evangelization may be the least clear document on world evangelization in the entirety of its existence. 

The fourth Lausanne Congress exposed that we are a family with many disagreements still. These disagreements troubled some, but they comforted me.

The Seoul Statement, building on earlier foundational documents like the Lausanne Covenant, Manila Manifesto, and Cape Town Commitment, became an example of the assumed priority of evangelism rather than a stated one.

The Lausanne movement, since its inception in 1974, has been about world evangelization. However, evangelization understood as one mode of mission, was not to be separated from social action.

By coordinating our efforts and making room for focused collaboration, the global church can truly live out its calling as one unified body in mission to the world.

During his closing remarks at the fourth Lausanne Congress, Michael Oh urged us not to be like the "flies" who can only see and remain in the filth, but rather like "bees" who see beauty rather than what is broken. 

Evangelism is the proclamation of this powerful message in all its fullness and with all its implications. Apart from gospel proclamation there is no gospel transformation.