31 August 2018 | Belgrade, Serbia [John Surridge]
In the packed schedule of the EPC very little time is wasted. Even before the countdown clock on the screen has begun its descent to the official programme start, there is a buzz of activity on the stage. Musicians make final preparations, the media team rehearse their camera angles, and short informative video clips are shown.
As the hall slowly filled on Thursday evening, one of Dejan Stojković’s entertaining vlogs picked out some of the highlights from the conference so far – entertaining as usual, but with a difference. This time Dejan’s typically irrepressible style was tempered with a note of sadness. While the church workers and their families at the EPC were being inspired and revitalised for further service, Dejan told of a fellow pastor in Ghana who wasn’t so fortunate. In a tragic housefire he had lost everything, including his wife and children. Participants responded by signing a massive ‘postcard’ which will wend it’s way to Ghana. Others are signing online.
Watch Dejan Stojković’s vlog
The opening song service was subdued. Just the piano and two cellos. Amazing Grace, yes, but also, Blessed Be the Name of the Lord, which included in its lyrics, “You give and take away”. Sometimes a life of service can be a life of hardship or even terrible sacrifice.
Pastor Des Boldeau confirmed this with a personal testimony of his 20-year battle with debilitating psoriasis. The hushed audience listened sympathetically to his frank and moving account of physical and mental suffering, but applauded his conclusion, “When you can’t trace God’s hand, trust His heart.”
Given that the theme for the day was “Inspire”, this could have been the point at which some began to see a deeper meaning to the word. Inspiration comes in many forms. It’s not always something that immediately uplifts; sometimes it is an experience that you connect with at a deeper level, something which resonates with your own experience and touches your heart.
Victor Marley, President of the Norwegian Union introduced his colleague Tom Angelsen by explaining that his territory, the North Norway Conference, lies 12 hours drive north of the arctic circle. Tom told another inspiring story, of how in the small town of Alta, famous for its views of the Northern Lights, three elderly ladies had shown their love to an African student and made him welcome. This initial contact led to further contacts, support from Albanian missionaries, and a community programme which eventually channelled some 150 people through the doors of the church.
The main speaker for the evening was Anne-May Müller, who has been leading, teaching, organising and pastoring in Denmark for over 20 years. Anne-May’s inspiration came from the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand, as recorded by Matthew, but she inspired her fellow pastors by focusing on the simple, everyday aspects of ministry. Like, for example, the craving that every pastor has for a hiding place, a place to escape the constant demands of their calling. Also, the constant need to provide food – in her case to four always-hungry teenage boys. Baking two large wholemeal loaves of bread every day just about covered the sandwiches for lunch, but there was always capacity for more.
A clear parallel with ministry. Anne-May’s congregation in Copenhagen needs food, spiritual food of course, but it still has to be nourishing and satisfying, and served up every Sabbath without fail. The demands this places on a minister are huge and, at times, can be debilitating. A quiet place, a place “to sort out the mess in your head,” is essential. So many times, though, this is denied. By a phone call, a crisis, a member in need, or one of a thousand other distractions which intrude into a pastor’s personal time. As with the crowds who followed Jesus to his quiet place, sometimes we can’t avoid attending to the needs of others.
It is often at these times of greatest pressure that a further crisis strikes. For Jesus and His disciples it was the realisation that the people were hungry and needed food. Jesus’ instruction, “you give them something to eat,” only added to their distress.
Ministry is tough and Anne-May connected with every minister present as she listed the thoughts that go through our minds at times like this. How we are tired, empty, lacking in self-confidence. “But Jesus, we have nothing to give.”
In a personal aside, giving a glimpse of the challenges faced by a significant sector of our ministerial workforce, Anne-May added, “But Jesus, I’m a woman, they don’t even want what I have to give.”
Inspiration, though, came through the disciples’ obedience. By giving what they had, a miracle took place, and everyone was fed. And in case they forgot the lesson, they were each given a basket of bread to take away and give to others in need.
At the EPC, it can be inspirational to be surrounded by hundreds of highly gifted and talented people, but it can also make us feel inferior. Anne-May inspired by speaking to ministers of all abilities. “My dear fellow pastors, I give you my bread and fish today. When we give our little, Jesus takes it and performs a miracle. Take your loaves and fish and go. Inspire the world. You give them something to eat.”
tedNEWS Staff: Victor Hulbert, editor; Sajitha Forde-Ralph, associate editor
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