By Charles Albrecht
and John Halford
LA ROCHE SUR FORON, France--Ministers from 10 European countries met at the foot of the French Alps for a three-day European conference, Oct. 24 to 26.
The group met to answer administrative questions and develop an organizational structure and European vision for 1996. Attending for the first time were Carlos Tavares and Leo Kaagjarv, representatives from Portugal and Estonia.
The conference also included ministers from the United Kingdom who drove from England to central France via the newly completed English Channel tunnel.
Paul Brown, pastor of the London South church, said: "I will never think of Europe in the same way again. It was so easy to travel within the EC and to get together as ministers." Thoughts like these helped develop one of the themes of the conference, specifically, the ease and need for ministers to interact within a united European community.
Ministers agreed that the changing face of Europe makes it possible for various European areas to consider themselves a single region. Further, by focusing on common interests, it became easier to see what cultural distinctions need to be preserved.
On the opening day Randal Dick, assistant director of Church Administration International, led a discussion on European vision. Participants agreed that four aspects must be included as part of a European vision. These aspects are:
* The kingdom of God is on the offensive; the European work should be on the offensive.
* We are called to harvest.
* Everything must be geared to change lives.
* Everything revolves around a relationship with God and one other.
Mr. Tavares and Belgian pastor Jack Brunet gave reports from the Feasts in Angola and Zaire. It was a welcome reminder of the need for European churches to extend a friendly hand in partnership to the churches in Africa.
In addition, evangelist Carn Catherwood discussed the need for European unity, and John Halford addressed general European administrative issues. Other topics discussed were accountability, small group meetings and ways to capitalize on the strengths of the ministry.
Participants left sobered and inspired by the opportunity to work as a team in reaching Europeans with the gospel. Improvements in transportation and communication are helping European and British ministers work together yet maintain important linguistic and cultural characteristics.
Charles Albrecht is international operations manager for Church Administration, and John Halford serves as regional coordinator for the United Kingdom and administrative coordinator for Europe.
[ Worldwide Church of God | Worldwide News | November 14, 1995 ]
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1995