After releasing the Seoul Statement just before the beginning of the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization held in Incheon, Korea from September 22 to twenty-eight, the document’s editorial team adjusted two paragraphs that talk to the problem of the Church’s response to homosexuality. A spokesperson commented that more minor changes are possible.
In the primary of the 2 paragraphs, the new edition modified the wording that spoke of “many churches” and as an alternative now simply refers to “Christian communities”. It also removed references to “ignorance and prejudice”, “discrimination and injustice” and “harm”, while maintaining the necessity for repentance for shortcomings in some churches which have not treated brothers and sisters in Christ who’re same-sex attracted with love.
Paragraph 69 as released on September 22:
“We recognise that quite a few people, each inside and out of doors the church, experience same-sex attraction, and that for some, that is the one or dominant attraction. The biblical insistence that Christians must resist temptation and so maintain sexual holiness, in each desire and behavior, applies equally to heterosexually attracted individuals because it does to same-sex attracted individuals. We acknowledge, nevertheless, that Christians who’re same-sex attracted face challenges in lots of local churches because of ignorance and prejudice, and have consequently suffered discrimination and injustice inside Christian communities. We repent of our failures and lament the harm this has done to our brothers and sisters within the body of Christ.”
New version of paragraph 69:
“We recognise that quite a few people, each inside and out of doors the church, experience same-sex attraction, and that for some, that is the one or dominant attraction. The biblical insistence that Christians must resist temptation and so maintain sexual holiness, in each desire and behavior, applies equally to heterosexually attracted individuals because it does to same-sex attracted individuals. We acknowledge, nevertheless, that Christians who’re same-sex attracted face challenges even in Christian communities. We repent of our lack of affection towards our brothers and sisters within the body of Christ.”
Meanwhile, only a single word was modified in paragraph 70 where the new edition removed
“faithful” when referring to believers who experience same-sex attraction.
Paragraph 70 as released on September 22:
We urge Christian leaders and native churches to recognise inside our communities the presence of faithful believers who experience same-sex attraction, and to support them of their discipleship by pastoral care and by developing healthy communities of affection and friendship.
New version of paragraph 70:
We urge Christian leaders and native churches to recognise inside our communities the presence of believers who experience same-sex attraction, and to support them of their discipleship by pastoral care and by developing healthy communities of affection and friendship.
Christian Daily Korea reported that there have been reactions from the religious community in Korea regarding the paragraphs in query, saying “some local churches or Christian communities can have done mistaken to homosexuals, but this presents it as if many local churches and Christian communities did mistaken, despite the fact that most local churches and Christian communities didn’t.”
However, asked by Christian Daily International concerning the change during Tuesday’s press conference, Lausanne’s spokesperson said the edit was in actual fact meant to be made before the discharge of the Seoul statement, calling it “an oversight”. He also added that “the adjustment was not significant.”
‘Like any editorial process, there could also be changes’
The release of the Seoul Statement before somewhat than after the event raised questions from some participants who said they were somewhat taken by surprise. Concerns included the timing of the discharge mere hours before the event kicked off, which didn’t give participants sufficient time to check the 20-page document with 97 paragraphs.
It was also not immediately clear how the feedback that can emerge from the discussions and interactions of the 1000’s of participants of the Congress can be processed, in order that they feel ownership of the document, which because of its name will likely be regarded by the broader public as reflecting the collective view of the Congress.
Likely anticipating these concerns, Program Director David Bennett explained in the course of the first press conference held before the opening ceremony that unlike its predecessors that were published following the event, the statement is supposed to “inform and encourage” participants’ deliberations throughout the gathering somewhat than summarize what was discussed.
As earlier reported by Christian Daily International, Bennett emphasized that the aim of the Seoul Statement is just not to be a latest stand-alone response to the missional challenges that the worldwide Church is facing today.
Instead, it “stands as a part of the larger collection of key documents inside the Lausanne Movement, constructing on the legacy of the Lausanne Covenant, the Manila Manifesto, and the Cape Town Commitment. It is designed not to exchange, but to enhance these foundational documents, providing fresh insights into contemporary theological and missional challenges.”
Lausanne’s spokesperson added in his comments regarding the adjustments that there are broader conversations about issues which are of specific concern to the Korean Church, and that he would subsequently “anticipate that there could also be more [changes] however the finality of it is rarely going to be ‘dipped in amber’ and called ‘done’ perhaps.”
“It is just not the Congress’ statement, it is just not one among the foundational documents that we’re pinning every part on. And so, like in any editorial process, there could also be changes, but those changes usually are not substantive or significant, at the very least from an editorial perspective.”
‘Remember there are at all times people within the room who struggle with this issue’
The issue of human sexuality and the sexual revolution that marks today’s secular culture continues to pose a challenge to many pastors and Church leaders who seek to biblically and pastorally reply to those that struggle with their sexual attraction or identity.
During the Congress’ Monday evening plenary with the theme Recommitment – Calling the Global Church Towards Faithfulness in Word & Deed, Vaughan Roberts, rector at St. Ebbe’s Church in Oxford, addressed the problem of homosexuality, stating that it is just not in line with God’s design. But as someone who himself struggled with same-sex attraction, he also challenged Christian leaders to think about how they discuss such topics in public and within the church.
“When we talk about these issues in church, will you mostly do not forget that people you are talking about are within the room? Does the tone and manner by which you speak invite them to be honest and open, or does it force them into secret, lonely isolation?” he reminded the 1000’s of participants.
“So how should we reply to the sexual revolution?” he asked. “We should respond with Christ. Don’t just preach morality. Certainly, don’t just preach condemnation. Preach and live Christ for the glory of His name.”
