Regional
Snapshot
Regional
Snapshot
From John and Pat Halford
Europe
BOREHAMWOOD, England--The Chinese word for a crisis is written with a combination of two symbols. One is for danger. The other is for opportunity.
To say that Europe is in crisis is perhaps putting it too strongly. But all over this continent people are recognizing that some form of a United States of Europe may soon be a reality.
Europe already has a parliament, a flag and an anthem. A common currency exists, and soon the traditional franks, deutsche marks, pesetas, lire--and maybe even British pounds--will become obsolete.
Nobody expects the move toward unity to stop at a common currency. Other symbols of individual nationhood will inevitably follow. How far individual nations will be willing to submerge their sovereignty in a European superstate remains to be seen, but the momentum toward consolidation and unification is increasing on many fronts.
Even countries who do not really want a closer union concede there is merit in the idea. In the first half of this century, the Western European nations ravaged each other in devastating wars. The second half has brought peace, but wars in the Balkans and the old Soviet Union have shown that war on European soil is still a possibility.
Nobody wants that. Most Europeans are enjoying unprecedented prosperity. The once heavily defended frontiers are now unguarded, and you can travel around most of Europe without having to show a passport. Former enemies are now linked by a high-speed rail network.
Whereas some see increased unity as a wonderfully progressive idea, others are warning that it will lead to catastrophe. And as you'd expect, some are insisting it is the fulfillment of doomsday prophecies. Be that as it may, some form of a United Europe is coming--ready or not!
This momentum toward unity is causing many small organizations and churches to think carefully about the future. The Worldwide Church of God is no exception.
Early in November, the national coordinators of the church in Europe met in Kenmare, Ireland, with John Halford, European regional director, and Randal Dick, superintendent of missions. The purpose was to begin serious discussion on how we should react as national churches, and as a denomination, to the changes in Europe. What are the dangers? And where are the opportunities?
Persecution is not an immediate threat. Most European governments are strongly rooted in democracy, and those that are not nevertheless guarantee freedom of religion. Among our multi-ethnic populations, Islam, Eastern religions and most expressions of Christianity more or less get along in most places (Northern Ireland remaining a notable exception).
However, recent years have seen a growing number of irresponsible activities, including mass suicides by fanatical cults. European governments are concerned about this trend, and are suspicious of organizations, particularly religious organizations, that seem to be controlled from other countries. Since unfortunately many of these cults are based in the United States, organizations with U.S. headquarters are under scrutiny.
Even countries known for their tolerance, such as Denmark and Sweden, are asking small European churches to demonstrate that they have responsible leadership residing in the country.
We have already made much progress in the last two years in establishing national boards and bona fide national leaders in most of the countries where we have congregations. This is time-consuming and expensive--since we not only have to negotiate the formidable bureaucracy of some governments, but also to get the formula right for ourselves.
All the European congregations, without exception, value their membership in a denomination that is worldwide, not only in name but also in fact. We share a deep commitment to keep it that way. So, when we discuss matters of national independence, we are careful to make it clear what we don't mean.
The challenge is for us to meet a state's requirements for national autonomy, while remaining firmly rooted as part of a worldwide church. These issues have to be balanced carefully.
In some countries in Europe our church is small, with just a few dozen members. In others, it is relatively large, but still tiny by most denominations' standards. Leaders in other churches often express surprise at how much effect our small church has. As one put it, "You punch way above your weight!"
That may be true, but the splits and schisms of the past few years have diminished and diluted our resources. We therefore ask ourselves whether there will be some value in forming some kind of Association of European congregations of the Worldwide Church of God.
We already have this on an informal basis, but the increasing momentum toward central institutions in Europe may mean there will be an advantage in doing this more formally.
Unlike the United States, any union of European nations is not natural. Language and culture are barriers, and what common history nations do share has been marred by bloodshed and aggression. There is still mutual suspicion. Even as we were meeting, France and the United Kingdom were engaged in a furious dispute over whether each other's beef was fit for human consumption.
Thankfully our church is not bogged down by national rivalries. Our common salvation and citizenship in heaven are a firm platform for discussion. And although the situation varies from country to country, we all recognize that we have a part to play in making the gospel message known.
In spite of its long Christian traditions, Western Europe today has become a spiritual wasteland. Europe has not "thought it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God" (Romans 1:28), and as Paul warned, our societies are paying the penalty. Church attendance is at an all-time low in nearly every nation.
However, even though the basic physical needs of life are met, people still have a spiritual appetite. In the easy-going, tolerant, post-modern environment, the truth of the gospel must compete with the occult, new age mumbo-jumbo--and a seemingly endless soccer season.
Without reference points, people rummage around in philosophical garbage bins, looking for comfort, reassurance and something--anything--to believe in. We have become a continent of spiritually homeless.
An Anglican bishop said, "In Europe today, evangelism is easy, but discipleship is almost impossible." People are not ready to make a commitment to something that demands life-style changes.
Our hope and prayer is that the Worldwide Church of God can be a voice in that spiritual wilderness. We want to work with fellow Christians in other churches who share our desire to reach our fellow Europeans with the truth of the gospel message. We also want to support and participate in the work of our own denomination around the world.
Our challenge is to strike the right balance between meeting the demands for national autonomy, effectively sharing our resources on a continentwide basis, while remaining firmly rooted in the Worldwide Church of God, which we recognize and love as our spiritual home.
We would appreciate your prayers, as we pray for you.
CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS--Some of the participants at the November
conference in Kenmare, Ireland, are from left: Torveig and Carl Aas, Santiago Lange, Pedro
Rufian, Jesse Korver, Jose Ribeiro, David and Nancy Silcox, Astrid and Paul Stoffel, and
Donat Picard [Photos by Randal Dick]
Europe in 2000 will be an exciting place to see. The Worldwide Church of God in Europe is planning to conduct eight-day festivals in France, Germany, Estonia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Holland and the United Kingdom. We are also negotiating a site in Bulgaria, where we hope to share the occasion with some Bulgarian evangelical churches.
Why not come over and join us? It is not as expensive as you might think. With careful planning, you could even visit two or more sites, in different countries.
Interested? We are preparing a brochure giving information for all the European sites. We can send it to you by fax, e-mail or regular post. You can contact us by phone 011 44 20 8953 1633, fax 011 44 20 8207 1216, e-mail UKRD@wcg.org or regular mail Worldwide Church of God, Festival Department, Elstree House, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 1LU, England.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1999