Becoming a Global Disciple

Here’s a new and helpful-looking resource from the Lausanne Movement – ‘Becoming a Global Disciple’.

From the blurb:

‘Global discipleship begins with God's heart for the nations and takes shape through the life of the local church.

‘This five-part video series is designed to help believers take small but meaningful steps into God's global mission. Through biblical teaching, global insight, and intentional spiritual practices, this resource invites followers of Jesus to catch God's heart for the nations, learn from the global church, grow in prayer and friendship, and live out God's mission where God has placed them.

‘Our series features insights from global leaders and practitioners who are deeply committed to fostering a wider understanding of Christian faith and mission.’

A trailer for the series can bring watched here, and the resources (videos, discussion guide, and devotional plans) can be accessed from here.

Lausanne Global Analysis on Loneliness and the Great Commission

The latest issue of the Lausanne Global Analysis looks at the topic of holiness:

‘Loneliness is emerging as one of the defining global challenges of our time, affecting 1 in 6 people worldwide and disrupting the relationships people were created to enjoy. This Lausanne Global Analysis briefing explores how loneliness is reshaping mission and how the church can respond through presence, belonging, and gospel-centred community.’

Individual articles are available from here, from where a pdf of the issue can be downloaded.

Lausanne on Polycentric Christianity

As part of Lausanne’s Theological Foundation Paper series, the latest Occasional Paper, ‘Polycentric Christianity: Theological Multiplicity and Unity’, authored by Tite Tiénou, explores ‘how the global body of Christ can navigate theological diversity while remaining anchored in the mission of God. Drawing from voices across traditions and regions, this paper invites us to consider how different theological expressions contribute to a richer, more faithful witness. How can we hold both multiplicity and unity in balance as we engage in global mission?’

Evangelical Review of Theology 48, 3 (August 2024)

The latest Evangelical Review of Theology is now online and available in its entirety as a pdf here.

Bruce Barron

Introduction to the Lausanne Articles and to This Issue

Hannes Wiher

50 Years of the Lausanne Movement

The Lausanne Movement is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year by holding its fourth global congress, in Incheon, Korea, on 22–28 September. In July 1974, 2,400 delegates from 150 countries met in Lausanne, Switzerland. Subsequently, the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization (LCWE) was formed, from which the Lausanne Movement emerged. In this article, I trace the historical background of the Lausanne Movement, including the circumstances of its birth and its development. I then set out its main theological positions, which are considered today as the basis of the evangelical identity. Finally, I evaluate the movement’s impact.

David W. Bennett

A Movement in Motion: A View from the Inside

What, exactly, is the Lausanne Movement? As it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and prepares for the Fourth Lausanne Congress, to be held this September in Incheon, South Korea, how has the Lausanne Movement changed since the Third Lausanne Congress, which convened in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2010? What are some of the trends emerging within the movement, and the priorities shaping its direction?

Richard J. Mouw

Some Thoughts about a Divine Command Approach to Ethics

Christians treat the Ten Commandments as God’s law because he gave them to us. But is that a sufficient justification for ethics? Is God an arbitrary lawmaker to whom we must blindly submit because of his power and authority? Is it reasonable to trust God’s expertise? In this article, a long-respected evangelical ethicist offers mature reflections on these questions and more.

Thomas Paul Schirrmacher

Reflections on the Use and Misuse of Spiritual Gifts

Christians are often encouraged to figure out which spiritual gifts they do or do not have, so that they can function most effectively within the body of Christ. But we do not apply this concept consistently; for example, many churches make no effort to balance the gifts of various leaders or treat the head pastor as if he or she should possess all gifts. This article seeks to enhance our practical deployment of the diversity of abilities among believers.

Perry Shaw

Towards Indigenous Cosmopolitanism in Theological Education

Cross-cultural communication is difficult in any context due to conflicting worldviews, intellectual frameworks and cultural assumptions. It is even more difficult without sympathetic appreciation of the problem. Through acknowledgement, acceptance, appreciation and adaptation, it is possible to move to a posture of mutual enrichment in multicultural engagement.

Jill E. Nelson

Three Important Questions in Ministering to LGBTQ+ Persons

Evangelical Christians and congregations must deal with highly sensitive, practical questions on how to serve and minister to people with same-sex attraction while upholding the traditional biblical view of marriage and sexuality. This article presents a well-grounded approach to three such issues.

Worring Kashung

The Nagas’ Lohe Shawl and Galatians 3:28

The four Naga tribes of northeast India, regardless of their tribe, socio-economic status or gender, all wear the same type of shawl, known as the Lohe Shawl. This inclusive tradition could be a contemporary life illustration of Galatians 3:28 – except that the Nagas do not fully live out the shawl’s implications or properly apply Paul’s climactic declaration that ‘all are one in Christ Jesus.’ This article carefully pairs real-life and biblical exegesis to deepen the power of a classic Pauline lesson.

Evaluating Kwame Bediako’s Legacy

Book Reviews

Lausanne Global Analysis 13, 4 (July 2024)

The latest issue of Lausanne Global Analysis, from The Lausanne Movement, is available online from here, containing the below essays:

Everton Jackson

Affirming Our Common Calling: Interdependence for Polycentric Mission

Michael Prest

Collaboration not Control: Rethinking the International Agency Model in the Pursuit of Mutual Mission Sending Partnerships with the Majority World

Gideon Para-Mallam

Adaptive Leadership: Leading in Disruptive and Stormy Times

Merethe Dahl Turner

Abusive Leadership: Preventing Abuse and Misuse of Power in Christian Ministry

Lausanne Global Analysis 13, 3 (May 2024)

The latest issue of Lausanne Global Analysis, from The Lausanne Movement, is available online from here.

The essays (summaries of which are taken from the Issue Overview by Loun Ling Lee) circle around the term ‘missional’.

Lawrence Ko

From the Desert to the City: Missional living in the 21st century

According to Lawrence Ko, ‘being missional’ for the church today means to be incarnational like Christ. ‘The most crucial part of the church in the 21st Century is the participation of Christians in the life of the community, beyond the four walls of the church… to engage in civil society and promote social cohesion as peacemakers while revealing the hope of the kingdom in Christ.’ One practical example is the encouraging and equipping of Christian youths in multi-ethnic and multi-religious Singapore ‘to live in community and mediate ethnic and faith differences and conflicts’ in the society.

Benno van den Toren

Being Missional within Religious Communities: A Plea and Proposal for Interfaith Apologetics

We should ‘share the gospel with those who are deeply invested in their religious communities as imams, priests, monks, sannyasins, or committed lay believers.’ And the best approach is ‘interreligious apologetic witness,’ writes Benno van den Toren… [who] argues that the key characteristics of interfaith apologetics should be holistic, contextual, and embodied. ‘It should be embodied in the lifestyle of the witness that reflects God’s love and deep interest in every human being, but also demonstrates the courage Jesus and his apostles showed unmasking idolatry and hypocrisy.’ In other words, we should ‘engage in such interfaith apologetics with both humility and confidence.’

Lisa Loden

Peace and Reconciliation as Mission in a World in Conflict: A Perspective on the Israel-Hamas War from an Israeli Jewish Follower of Jesus

But what is ‘being missional’ in a conflict situation, such as the Israel-Hamas war, the latest in this intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict? This is probably the most complex and challenging situation for being missional… Lisa Loden reflects on the conflicting narratives and theologies of the opposing parties in Israel and Palestine which give rise to their respective goals. They ‘cannot disengage from their goals as they are perceived as existential. As a result they cannot enter into a meaningful dialogue with one another,’ and ‘many peacebuilding initiatives are compromised.’ Yet Lisa holds firm to her conviction that ‘all God’s children have been given a ministry of reconciliation.’ ‘If we do not live according to Jesus’ words and actions, to comfort those who mourn, to be peacemakers, to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God, we will have failed God’s mission to be living witnesses to the way of the cross and the gospel of peace,’ she concludes.

Rula Khoury Mansour

Peace and Reconciliation as Mission in a World in Conflict: A Christian Perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

As a Palestinian-Israeli Christian lawyer and peace scholar-practitioner, Rula Khoury Mansour believes that ‘amid deep-rooted violent contexts, reconciliation is not just a nice idea – it is an absolute necessity. It is the key to breaking the cycles of conflict and creating a future where Israelis and Palestinians can coexist peacefully.’ … [She] writes, ‘Reconciliation is a process through which a society moves from a divided past to a shared future, including the search for truth, forgiveness, justice, and healing.’ She takes us through each of these essential stages and applies that to the relationships between Palestinians and Israelis. ‘Through sincere dialogue, acknowledging shared suffering and conflicting histories, and embracing forgiveness, a new narrative can emerge. By applying justice in its diverse forms and embarking on a journey of collective healing, we lay the foundation for a harmonious tomorrow, transcending the wounds of the past.’

The Lausanne Movement on the State of the Great Commission

The Lausanne Movement recently released a report on ‘the state of the great commission’.

According to the website:

‘In anticipation of the Fourth Lausanne Congress in September 2024, the State of the Great Commission Report brings together over 150 key strategic thinkers as contributing authors, matched with the best global data to understand where the greatest gaps and opportunities are for the Great Commission’s fulfilment.

‘The report seeks to guide us through the current state and future trajectory of global missions up to 2050, delving deep into ten crucial questions that will shape the church and global missions between now and 2050.’

The portal for accessing the report is here.

There are three main sections to the report:

• Current status

• Context shifts

• Regional considerations

In the second of those sections – context shifts – the report considers ten key questions that will impact the church’s mission:

What is Polycentric Christianity?

Christianity is a dynamic and living faith which has experienced notable global shifts in the last 100 years, and including the growth of Christianity in the Global South, the rise of Pentecostalism, and the continued addition of denominations, leading to the question, ‘What is Polycentric Christianity?’

What is the Source of Hope?

The Christian gospel is a message of hope for all. However, it is not the only promoted avenue of ‘hope’ in our contemporary world. From competing world religions to secular ambitions and pleasures, the world is continually asking, ‘What is the source of hope?’

What is the Foundation of Trust?

The validity of the gospel message is independent of individuals or institutions; however, when those who share the good news are not trusted, the gospel is questioned. Globally, there is a perceived rise in distrust that is dynamically shaping cultures, as the world asks, ‘What is the foundation of trust?’ 

What Are the Emerging Demographics?

Looking forward to 2050, major economic and population demographic changes promise to shape global culture. As the church faithfully lives out the great commission in a contextualized way, it must ask, ‘What are the effects of the new emerging demographics?’ 

What is Community?

For a growing number of individuals in the world, where they call home, what home looks like, and who their neighbors are is dramatically changing. These fundamental shifts in place and populations bring forth the fundamental question, ‘What is community?’ 

What is Fair and Just?

As Scripture teaches, all humans are made in the image of God and are worthy. Yet, globally, not all humans are treated equally. With an increasing consciousness of discrimination, the world and the church continue to ask, ‘What is fair and just?’

What is Sustainable?

The preceding century has seen a rise of more products, more people, more energy, more debt, more work, and more expectations. This burden of more has led the world and the church to begin to ask, ‘What is sustainable?’

What Does it Mean to Be Human?

Rapid technological advancements and the redefinition of human sexual identity are challenging previously held beliefs regarding human distinctiveness. These shifts are driving this generation’s defining question, ‘What does it mean to be human?’

What is a Digital Life?

Between the third and fourth Lausanne global congress, digital technology has fundamentally changed the world. For most of the world, with notable exceptions, the internet, screens, social media, virtual work, shape large portions of life, leading to the question, ‘What is a digital life?’

What is Ministry in a Digital Age?

The majority of the world now lives in a digital age. Connections, influence, and ideas originate just as much, if not more, from digital media than personal relationships. As the church aims to be faithful to the Great Commission in this new digital context, ministry leaders are asking, ‘What is Ministry in a Digital Age?’

In a 28-minute video here, Matthew Niermann, director of the report, gives an overview of the State of the Great Commission report and draws out key insights.

Lausanne Global Analysis 13, 2 (March 2024)

The latest issue of Lausanne Global Analysis, from The Lausanne Movement, is available online from here, including pdfs of individual articles (this time devoted to member care) as below:

The summaries are taken from the Issue Overview by Loun Ling Lee.

Sarah Hay

Self-care: An Essential Tool for Member Care or a Passing Fad?

Sarah Hay begins by looking at ‘what member care and self-care are, some of the resistance to self-care, and how member care can seek to promote better self-care practices amongst missionaries.’ She highlights the seemingly misunderstood theology of self-care as opposed to self-sacrifice by reflecting on Jesus’s attitude towards rest in the gospel. This misunderstanding often leads to burnout in missionary service. In conclusion, she stresses how important it is ‘to recognize that meaningful self-care is not a selfish practice, but an essential part of a missionary’s tool kit and one which the member care practitioner should encourage.’

Billy Drum

Burnout Among Missionaries: Systemic Issues Leading to Burnout

‘Burnout among mission workers and sending organizations is on the rise,’ writes Billy Drum… These systemic issues in organizations could be identified in the six main causes of burnout as explained by the author with reference to Maslach and Leiter’s The Truth about Burnout. He challenges organization leadership ‘to take a closer look at the practices and policies in place for care of mission workers in cross-cultural settings,’ and ‘affect change proactively, working toward prevention and creating a healthier and more resilient missionary workforce.’ Mission-sending organizations would do better in member care by considering the preventive measures recommended by the author.

Anisa Moosa

Burnout in Zambian Women in Ministry and Humanitarian Work: How Culture Influences the Burnout Experience and Implications for Member Care

How does culture influence the experience of burnout? Anisa Mooza… highlights four aspects where Zambian culture influences burnout particularly in women: hierarchical challenges, extended family and community support, the spiritual dimension in burnout, and keeping up appearances. ‘Christian ministries and humanitarian organizations could benefit from taking into consideration cultural influences on burnout in their staff and employees to create culturally appropriate burnout interventions,’ she concludes.

Faith Stephens

Shame in the Lives of Missionaries: Women Serving in Central Asia

For missionaries in another culture, the experience of shame is more prominent than burnout. Faith Stephens… shows the negative aspects of shame that could harm missionaries, ‘hindering connection with God and others, which ultimately impacts ministry.’ Her personal experience of shame as a missionary enables her to offer ‘tools to equip missionaries to effectively deal with shame.’ She suggests some helpful ways to engage with shame – ‘to recognize shame,’ ‘to reach out to God and others when they experience shame,’ and ‘to recognize and cope with shame messages within each culture that they participate in.’

Lausanne Global Analysis 13, 1 (January 2024)

The latest issue of Lausanne Global Analysis, from The Lausanne Movement, is available online from here, including pdfs of individual articles as below:

The summaries are taken from the Issue Overview by Michael Soderling.

Florence Muindi

The Church and Whole-Person Care: Why the Church Should Have an Impact

Florence Muindi inspires us… with her own story of how her view of the calling of the church to ministries of health, healing, and wholeness evolved through difficult situations. While she was occupying herself with many ministry activities, her heart was broken by the sight of young shivering homeless children going through trash trying to eke out an existence on the street just blocks from her mission house. After much mental struggle, instead of starting an orphanage with a feeding program to minister to those suffering, she resolved to help the local church understand and embrace her calling to care for the whole person. 

Karen Bomilcar

Mental Health and the Christian Community: Towards Interdisciplinary and Integral Health

Karen Bomilcar brings a holistic perspective to the role of the church in addressing mental health issues… Karen appropriately points out the ever-present challenge of a dualistic mindset that continues to plague the church. Humans are embodied souls and need to have their health problems addressed as such. For too long mental health issues have been ignored by the church with a common view that you cannot suffer from mental health issues if you believe in Jesus. To be depressed has been considered by many to represent  a lack of faith. Karen helps us see how the church can be a true partner in addressing mental health issues in our fellowships using an interdisciplinary approach.

Nyalpi Nungarai

The Changing Face of Healthcare Missions: Opportunities and Challenges in the 21st Century

The world in which ‘traditional medical missions’ is being conducted has been changing rapidly. And we must acknowledge that old paradigms of what constitutes medical missions may no longer apply in most regions of the world… A shift is occurring – the incidence of suffering from the well-known infectious diseases is declining while the rate of diseases of affluence is increasing dramatically. The author offers helpful suggestions as to how we can be most effective in our healthcare efforts to our neighbors and concludes by affirming the key role we all can play in solving the complex health problems facing the world today. 

Jason Lee

Untold Stories: The Intersection of Physical and Spiritual Health among Frontier Peoples

Recognizing the positive effect of the introduction of a Biblical worldview on human wellbeing, [Jason Lee] calls the church in our efforts to reach FPGs Frontier People Groups] to look for niches in these contexts, where we can shift to incarnational forms of outreach that emulate Jesus’ model of whole person care. Jason suggests: ‘Existing proximate groups or churches of disciples should become hubs of development and health, not necessarily by hiring health professionals or adding dispensaries, but by modelling Jesus’ paradigm of intertwining spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, and social health into disciples’ daily lives, at a level that local disciples can reproduce and sustain.’