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Rooting the State of the Great Commission Report in Timeless Truth

Introducing the Theological Foundation Papers

Julius Kim & Philip Chung 03 Feb 2025

In 2020, the Lausanne Movement embarked on a global listening initiative, engaging Christian leaders from around the world in over 1,800 hours of dialogue. These conversations revealed a deep need to anticipate and prepare for the trends and challenges that will shape the world—and the church’s participation in God’s mission—by 2050—from this effort emerged the State of the Great Commission Report, which identified 10 pivotal questions and 40 aligned trends likely to influence the course of global mission in the decades to come.

To provide a theological foundation to this forward-looking report in the unchanging truths of Scripture, the Lausanne Movement and its strategic partners invited theologians and missiologists from around the globe to contribute to the State of the Great Commission Report – Theological Foundation Papers. This collection of essays offers a robust biblical and theological foundation for the insights presented in the State of the Great Commission report, providing critical reflections that connect timeless truths with the pressing realities of our time.

This seminal project has been carefully curated to ensure depth, clarity, and theological integrity. Under the editorial leadership of Julius Kim and Philip Chung, who serve as the general editors, this work brings together a diverse range of voices and perspectives, offering a comprehensive and thought-provoking contribution to the field.

The primary goal of the Theological Foundation Papers is to ensure that the global church’s mission remains firmly rooted in Scripture. As the name suggests, these papers provide a biblical foundation for addressing the critical questions and trends identified in the State of the Great Commission Report. By bridging theology and practical ministry, the papers connect eternal biblical truths with the realities of contemporary mission, equipping churches, organizations, and individual believers to navigate challenges such as engaging unreached people groups, leveraging digital technologies for evangelism, and discipling the next generation with both faithfulness and relevance.

The primary goal of the Theological Foundation Papers is to ensure that the global church’s mission remains firmly rooted in Scripture.

The Theological Foundation Papers are organized around the 10 key questions identified in the State of the Great Commission Report, addressing the critical challenges and opportunities the global church will face by 2050. The collection includes 17 essays authored by renowned global theologians, pastors, and missiologists, each focusing on a specific theme or question. Key topics include:

  • Polycentric Christianity: Understanding the unity and diversity of the global church in a polycentric world.
  • Hope and Trust: Exploring the biblical foundation of hope and truth in a world marked by secularism, propaganda, and challenges to objective reality.
  • Emerging Demographics: Addressing global aging, youth populations, and cultural shifts in the context of discipleship and mission.
  • Community and Justice: Defining biblical community and justice, and their implications for ethnic diversity, religious freedom, and serving marginalized groups.
  • Sustainability and Mental Health: Providing theological perspectives on discipleship, creation care, and compassionate ministry in the face of global challenges like mental health.
  • Humanity and Digital Life: Examining the implications of artificial intelligence, gender and sexuality, and digital technologies for the Great Commission.

Each paper poses a focused theological question, connecting timeless biblical principles to pressing contemporary issues. For example:

  • How should Christians understand presence in a digital age where technology erases physical boundaries?
  • What is the biblical basis for serving those on the margins, and how does this fulfill the Great Commission?
  • How does the Bible define humanity, and why does this matter in the face of AI and transhumanism?

The Theological Foundation Papers will be published as Lausanne Occasional Papers, with a new paper released every other week. The first in the series, written by Tite Tiénou, is now available along with an introduction video. Each paper and its corresponding introduction video will be accessible on the Theological Foundation Papers collection page and the video series page, where contributors provide an overview of their paper and its key themes.

Publication Schedule

The upcoming releases will follow this schedule:
TopicsContributorPublication Date
Polycentric Christianity: Theological Multiplicity and UnityTite TiénouJanuary 2025
Understanding Global Change and Cultural Shifts in the Religiously Pluralistic Context: A Crucial Aspect in the Contextualization of the GospelWilson PaluriFebruary 2025
God’s Saving Truth: The Foundation of TrustPeter A. LillbackFebruary 2025
What are the Emerging Demographics?Craig OttMarch 2025
Passing on the Faith to the Next GenerationLloyd KimMarch 2025
Ethnic Diversity in CommunityVictor NakahApril 2025
Biblical Justice & The Great CommissionSoong-Chan RahApril 2025
Discipleship and the Great CommissionIvor PoobalanMay 2025
Mental Health and the Church: Strategies for Faithful and Compassionate MinistryWen-Pin LeowMay 2025
Christian Mission and a Theology of the BodyTimothy TennentJune 2025
Technology and Missions: How Technology is Changing our Lives and Why it Matters for the Great CommissionStefan LindholmJune 2025
Ministry in a Digital Age: How Should Christians Understand ‘Being Together’ in Digital Space as It Relates to Church, Worship, and Discipleship?Darrell L. BockJune 2025
Hope is Not a DreamMichael S. HortonJuly 2025
Discerning Trustworthy Truth: How God’s Word and Spirit Form Christian JudgmentKevin J. VanhoozerJuly 2025
Biblical Community and the Great CommissionWanjiru M. GitauJuly 2025
Scripture, Sex, and Gender: Part 2: How should Christians understand disorders of sexual development, gender dysphoria, and transgender identities?Rebecca McLaughlinAugust 2025
Scripture, Sex, and Gender: Part 1: What are the biblical foundations of sex, marriage, and singleness?Rebecca McLaughlinAugust 2025
Digital Life: Reframing Christian Presence in a Technological WorldUday BalasundaramSeptember 2025

Each paper represents a significant contribution from leading theologians, missiologists, and scholars from around the world. Their insights reflect a diversity of cultural, regional, and theological perspectives, ensuring that this collection is both academically rigorous and practically relevant to global mission efforts.

As you engage with the Theological Foundation Papers, we invite you to read them alongside the State of the Great Commission Report. Our hope is that these reflections will not only deepen your understanding of God’s Word but also inspire you to act with clarity and conviction as you pursue the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Whether you are a church leader, mission practitioner, scholar, or believer seeking to make a difference in your context, we pray that these papers will equip and encourage you for the work ahead.

As the Lausanne Movement continues its mission to accelerate global mission by connecting influencers and ideas for the sake of the Great Commission, may these papers serve as a resource to help us all remain faithful to Scripture and united in our shared calling to proclaim Christ to every nation, tribe, and tongue.


This project would not have been possible without the generous support of Sarang Church in South Korea, especially through the leadership of the senior pastor, Rev. Dr. John Oh. Sarang Church’s unwavering commitment to the mission of Lausanne and their vision for advancing the Great Commission have been instrumental in bringing the Theological Foundation Papers to fruition.

As the Chairman of Lausanne Global Partners, Rev. Oh has provided not only financial support but also a strong endorsement of this initiative. His leadership and the partnership of Sarang Church exemplify the collaborative spirit at the heart of the Lausanne Movement, demonstrating how local congregations can play a vital role in strengthening global mission efforts.

Authors' Bios

Julius Kim

Special Advisor to the CEO for Strategic Initiatives

Following a three-year term at The Gospel Coalition as its President, Dr Julius J. Kim joined the Lausanne Movement as Special Advisor to the CEO for Strategic Initiatives. Previously, he served for twenty years as a Professor of Practical Theology and Dean of Students at Westminster Seminary California. Dr Kim is an ordained PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) minister, and has served as an associate pastor at New Life Presbyterian Church in Escondido, California. He and his wife Ji Hee have two grown daughters, Emma and Phoebe.

Philip Chung

Global Director for Partnerships

Philip joined the Lausanne Movement in 2018 and has been in various roles, currently serving as the global director for Partnerships. His work, both in the Lausanne Movement and as a local church pastor, has allowed him to travel extensively and witness what God is doing in different parts of the world.

He received his BA from UCLA and his MDiv from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Prior to joining the Lausanne Movement, Philip was involved with youth and missions for over a decade, including eight years as a youth pastor in Chicago and Northern Virginia, and founding a missionary-led language academy in Cambodia. In addition to his role in the Lausanne Movement, Philip is also an ordained minister, currently serving a local congregation in New York City.

Philip is married to Kristine, and they hope to eventually use their combined vocations to reach the unreached in an urban context.

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