On Sept. 22, the 2024 Lausanne Congress released the Seoul Statement, a 97-point document that included the Church’s regrets and intentions regarding evangelism. The statement caused controversy because it was published close to the beginning of the conference and addressed the church’s response to homosexuality. Previously, conference documents could be edited, and delegates could provide feedback before publication. However, the leaders explained early in the conference that the statement was final. The finality of the statement bothered delegates, especially regarding the sexuality portion of the statement.
The statement was written by theologians Michael Oh, David Bennet and Ivor Poobalan, members of the Lausanne Theology Working Group.
The 2024 Lausanne Conference took place in Incheon, South Korea, aiming to support and grow the global church. This fourth Lausanne Congress, following the last in 2010, drew over 5,000 attendees from more than 200 countries.
“This Lausanne was the most diverse it’s ever been,” Chaplain Angulus Wilson said, who attended the conference as a delegate and representative for Wheaton College.
President Philip Ryken attended the conference as a delegate and speaker. He commented on the purpose of the Seoul Statement: “One of the themes of the fourth Lausanne Congress was identifying and then filling in gaps in the work of the church, and the Seoul Statement is an attempt to do that in some specific theological areas.”
Wilson echoed this sentiment, saying, “The statement comes out to basically affirm, encourage and attest that this is who we are, and this is what God has called us to do on Earth.”
This year focused on marketplace missions, which was not the emphasis during the last three conferences because of the need for global missions. Marketplace missions involve using one’s professional skill set to further the Gospel. The Seoul Statement addressed the Church’s failures and plans for mission in the marketplace.
“The Church has often failed to nurture new believers to obey Christ’s call to radical discipleship at home, at school, in the church, in our neighborhoods and in the marketplace,” the statement reads.
The Seoul Statement was published a few hours before the conference began, giving delegates little time to review the long document. This confused some delegates, who had expected to be able to provide their feedback and suggest edits, especially when the statement covers sexuality.
To address confusion, Director of Communications and Content Mike du Toit emailed delegates on Sept. 27.
“We recognize that, in introducing the Seoul Statement, we should have been clearer in explaining its purpose and the way in which participants are invited to engage with it,” wrote du Toit.
As the statement was intended to inspire conversation at the conference, the email also included a feedback form. The same day it was sent, Ryken discussed the statement and invited fellow delegates to give their feedback.
“We integrate what the Seoul Statement calls Christ-centered proclamation with Christ-like practice. It’s one of only many things I’ve begun to learn from the Seoul Statement. I hope you have an opportunity to engage it, and also, as we’ve been invited to do this morning, give our feedback to it,” Ryken said during a sermon he gave at the conference, titled “Servant Leadership: Leading Like Christ.”
The statement also discusses human sexuality and the global church’s response. Paragraphs 56-70 all describe a biblical view of sexuality, that marriage is only between a man and a woman, and address how the church should respond to Christians struggling with their sexuality. Minor edits to paragraphs 69 and 70 replaced certain words but still emphasized repentance of Christian communities’ wrongdoings against same-sex attracted Christians.
A spokesperson for Lausanne said the edits were meant to happen before the statement’s release.
Before, the statement read, “We acknowledge, however, that Christians who are same-sex attracted face challenges in many local churches due to ignorance and prejudice, and have consequently suffered discrimination and injustice within Christian communities. We repent of our failures and lament the harm this has done to our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ.” The words ignorance, prejudice, discrimination and injustice were removed.
The statement now reads: “We acknowledge, however, that Christians who are same-sex attracted face challenges even in Christian communities. We repent of our lack of love towards our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ.”
Seventeen Wheaton students attended the conference as volunteers. Sohee Kang, a senior studying computer science, volunteered for the International Student Ministry (ISM) team in Issue and Networks. Her main role was helping organize ISM sessions.
“The Lausanne Conference was controversial in Korean Christianity, and one of the reasons was Lausanne’s position about homosexuality. Including the part was helpful to see the clear position of the Lausanne conference and make it less controversial, which prevents division of churches because of it,” Kang said regarding the Seoul Statement.
“It’s possible there will be a revision, although no specific plans have been announced for that,” Ryken said in a later interview.
By Claire Taylor, Guest Contributor.
