21 August 2012, Rogaška Slatina, Slovenia [Victor Hulbert, tedNEWS] Some drove for sixteen hours. Others flew on convoluted routes around Europe. All had one purpose – to arrive at Rogaška Slatina, Slovenia in time for the opening service of the European Pastors’ Conference (EPC).
With 30°C Slovenian sunshine outside, it was bliss to enter a large, air-conditioned marquee. An auditorium, a place of worship, and for 1,200 pastors, spouses and church workers from 22 countries, a place for fellowship for the next four days under the theme, ‘Making God Known’ in Europe.
Reflections in a ‘Monty Python’ like skit mixed humour, pathos and togetherness, and together with local folk traditions, inspiring music, a mime and short video segments, set a tone for the evening.
As normal at these events, greetings started to flow: from Pastor Daniel Duda, Trans-European Division (TED) Education Direction, who sees the purpose of EPC as an opportunity to join together once every five years as “a great time of encouragement, continuing education and fellowship.” Jerry and Janet Page from the Ministerial Association at Adventist World Church Headquarters challenged ministers that “He who called you and began a good work in you will complete it.”
Zmago Godina, President of the Adventist Church in Slovenia, remarked that “the whole membership of his conference would fit in half of this hall!” Such a meeting is a positive encouragement for his members. Encouraging too for Branko Kidri?, Mayor of this Spa Resort. He is especially delighted that ministers at this Conference have made a commitment to support a severely struggling family in his town by helping renovate their house.
The Director of the office for Religious affairs communities for Slovenia, Sylvester Garbishek was impressed by the numbers and the spirit of the event, “If we try and love each other in this manner the same Jesus is among us.” The Regional Bishop of the Catholic Church in Celje, Monsenior Dr Stanislav Lipovšek noted that “this is an important theme, how to make God known in Europe.” Quoting Augustine he emphasised, “Our heart is restless until it finds its rest in God.
The keynote address was given by Bertil Wiklander, President of the Adventist Church in the Trans-European Region. Looking back on the news coverage of the London 2012 Olympics, he recalled one persistent statement, “This is what these Olympic Games is all about”. However, he noted that the words were used very many times in many different contexts. Yet for pastors at this Conference, there is only one context. “I put it to you,” he said, “that it is ‘making God known’.”
Painting a picture from the Book of Revelation, Dr Wiklander noted the call of Revelation 21. “God wants to be known and to be with His people.” He then reflected on the three angel’s message, emphasising the call to worship Him who made heaven and earth, to proclaim the message, and to come away from false worship.
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“To make God known in Europe is our great challenge and calling,” Dr Wiklander emphasised, adding, “People here believe they can live without God, but this is a dysfunctional life.” He then worked this theme through by noting that we need to know God ourselves first. “To know, implies an intimate relationship. Knowing God is to encounter him.” Having an active, practical communion with God changes your life.
His theme then moved on to the fact that making God known will also involve sharing that experience with others. Where is the centre of sharing this experience? For the twenty-first century it is in exactly the same place as in the Gospels and the writings of Paul. Noting that all the four Gospels aim at and climax in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, he added that the apostle Paul (in 1 Corinthians 15) also emphasised that the resurrection is of first importance. “We have a special message for these last days but let’s be serious, let’s not fool ourselves, the 700 pages of the Great Controversy, the signs of the times we see all around us, our healthy lifestyle message, with all that, if we do not preach the truth of the resurrection then our preaching is in vain.”
The thought that the resurrection provides the Hope that this world needs, will be one that ministers will ponder on as they retire to their hotel rooms, dialogue with colleagues, and immerse themselves in the next four days of lectures, workshops and worship. [tedNEWS]
tedNEWS Staff: Miroslav Pujic, director; Deana Stojkovic, editor; Dragana Selakovic-Duval, Frederic Duval & Tor Tjeransen, photographers
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