The Exchange

An overlooked feature in the early response to the Seoul Statement is that it is, well, a statement. It is not a covenant, a manifesto, or a commitment, but a statement.

Here are several characteristics of African Pentecostal church planting that are helpful for the rest of us to consider.

Strategy and vision can lead to disorder even as we strive for order. In this article, I want to explore a few observations and loving critiques of the fourth Lausanne Congress (L4).

As an anthropologist trained to analyze qualitative data from interviews and participant observation, I often refer to myself as a professor, author, and listener. I was thrilled, therefore, to learn that I was selected to volunteer at Lausanne 4 on the Listening Team.

The Children-at-Risk Issue Group was formed to equip the church and para-church organizations to bring the whole gospel to children-at-risk, advocate on their behalf, and invite them into meaningful participation on mission.

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.