Photo above: The Lausanne 4 congress theme, by Grace Snavely
From 22 to 28 September 2024, I had the opportunity to participate in the Lausanne IV Congress in Seoul, an event that made a lasting impression on me. It was not only a chance to learn and grow, but also a unique opportunity to come together with 5,000 Christians from as many as 200 countries. The congress had the theme 'Let the Church declare and display Christ together' and provided a platform for in-depth conversations, inspiring stories and powerful testimonies.
Report: The State of the Great Commission
Three years of research were conducted prior to the conference, which appeared in the report 'The State of the Great Commission'. It raised key questions and challenges for the future of the church and highlighted the need to respond to demographic changes and the digitalisation of our lives. It contained 10 crucial questions for the future, such as: What does it mean to be human? and How will demographic shifts drive change? It is a bulky report, but essential reading for my work and highly recommended, it can be found online.
The conference
The congress itself, was in a Trade Fair-like hall on the outskirts of Seoul, the capital of South Korea. After a year of preparations, it now began in earnest. The programme was structured around six themes from the biblical book of Acts, filtering lessons from the early church for the contemporary context. It was a journey through the history of the early church, aiming to remind us of our calling and mission in today's world. The themes included the work of the Holy Spirit, missionary community building, persecution, witnessing in the workplace, servant leadership and the enduring reign of Jesus Christ.
The impact of stories
What touched me most were the stories shared. From the quiet strength of North Korean Christians who encouraged us to pray for them, to the hopeful testimonies of reconciliation between different people groups in conflict zones. These stories made the global reality of the church tangible. It reminded me again of Ephesians 3:18-19, where Paul speaks of the breadth, length, height and depth of God's love. I realised how diverse and rich the expressions of God's love are, and how He works in different ways in different cultures.
Lessons learned
What lessons do I take away from my role as a missionary consultant in the CGK? What is the blessing I have received to share from as well? Here are some of the key lessons I take away.
1. Humility and prayer
The church in the West perhaps needs to humble itself more and confess guilt for the ways in which we have fallen short of following God, of being involved in His mission. How can we relearn to truly trust God in our changing society and with many shrinking churches around us? How can we continue to realise that we cannot function without His guidance? And how do we make that concrete? And doesn't this humbling also include expressing the weariness and embarrassment that I also regularly encounter in churches? Going back to our Lord and Creator with open hands.
2. Declare and display Christ
We were challenged during the conference to live out our faith boldly. How can we bring up Christ in our daily lives? We were reminded again how word and deed are linked in the Bible. We should not only announce the good news with words, but it should also be visible in our actions.
3. Unity in diversity
The global church is diverse, and that is a strength. But how can we work together and experience unity despite our differences? Starting the conversation about uncomfortable topics, such as the themes of Acts 15, is crucial for growth and cooperation.
4. Discipleship
Discipleship seems to be a weak spot in the Dutch church. How can we create more space for each individual to take responsibility in their faith journey? We should not only professionalise faith, but also make it accessible to every Christian. It is a challenge to reflect further on this from my role as missionary consultant and to help churches develop this further.
5. Being part of the world church
The church in Europe must learn to be open to equality with Christians worldwide. Too often we think we are sending from 'the West' to 'the rest' of the world. But in practice, other continents send out far more missionaries, than Europe! This means we can not only learn from them, but must also be willing to share our own heritage. In addition, growing migration worldwide challenges us to develop a new perspective on mission and community building.
Closing
The Lausanne IV Congress was an unforgettable experience that touched me deeply. The encounters with believers from all over the world broadened my view of God's work and love in the world. This 'once in a lifetime'-experience has not only inspired but also re-encouraged me to actively participate in the mission of the church. Together, let us take up the challenge of proclaiming Christ and showing His love in our networks and neighbourhoods, both locally and globally.
Petra de Jong-Heins, missionary consultant CGK
