A Lausanne 4 (Seoul-Incheon Musings) Reflections
Right from the onset of the conference one witnesses the shift of Christianity to the Global South. Korean prayer leaders, African pastors, Spanish lay leaders and the like. They have become key movers and shakers in the leadership of the global church, representing the move of Christianity downwards or eastwards depending on your preference of topography.
Here are some key lessons and actions from Lausanne 4 that I took away.
The Harvest
Main evening sessions sought to open our eyes to see the harvest. Major topics include the persecuted church. With examples from India, Pakistan and in South America. As well as the need for peace, for social justice. In war-torn nations, in Europe where the number of refugees look to outnumber citizens in less than a decade. In places where slavery has taken on new names and new forms, but slavery, nonetheless.
Women was also a huge subject at this conference. The delegates were exhorted to ethical obedience, practical love, and a fierce defence of the whole gospel. Underlining many of these night plenaries the call of Micah 6:8 rang clear, “act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.”
The stark reality of the retardation of the gospel in our time, is a Christless eternity for the next generation of humanity.
Amidst a world explicitly hostile to Christianity, we see instead a harvest field, ripe unto the harvest. Where secularism throws our young into despair and medical depression. We see hope, and hope that will not spoil or fade as even more critical in these times.
The world is ever more than before in need of the gospel. And we do not go into battle alone, for the Lord promises in John 14:18 that I will not leave you as orphans, I am coming to you. The Lord sees the persecuted church, the perversity of warmongers, and the injustices to women. But He will not stand to leave us as orphans, He will empower us through His advocate the Holy Spirit. Only that we will tap into this life-giving source of unlimited power.
The Kingdom
As the panels took the stage, we were treated to the new generation of believers. Most under the age of 40, most women, most converted within a community or family of Christians. The High Church, paternalistic Christianity and individual salvation seem to fade into the background at this 2024 conference.
Where the young are valued not only for prestigious contributions in the academic research of the advancement of the gospel, but more so for being who they are – youthful. A true test of 1 Timothy 4:12 to not let anyone look down on us because we are young, but to set an example for the believers, in speech, in love, in life and in purity.
The young panellists appealed to the church to take concrete action for the kingdom. They were not shy to highlight to elephants in the room. The lack of depth of discipleship, the frightening levels of Biblical illiteracy, the broken state of families in the post-modern world.
What stood out about these sessions was the effort of the organisers to have diversity in representation. No apologies made about heavy-accented English or discomfort when someone took the stage in their outlandish national costumes. Culture and diversity were celebrated as they should have always been.
The next generation is not apathetic to the “MacDonaldization” of the world. In contrast, they want their culture, language and forms of worship to be preserved and recognised by the global church. They don’t want mega churches or even city churches replicated in their regions, but for the full glory of God to be displayed as He created it.
Polycentric missions is the foundation of the acceleration of the gospel in these times. Every type of people, from everywhere, bringing the gospel everywhere.
The harvest of plentiful, but the workers are few. Pray therefore, that the Lord of the harvest will send workers out into the harvest field.
Will you go for the gospel?
Written by Amy Ji
Comments