29 August 2018 | Belgrade, Serbia [A personal reflection by Widar Ursett]
Come to the European Pastors’ Council 2018, in Belgrade, Serbia, you know you are among friends. Friends you have never seen before, and quite likely will meet again only after we have passed through the pearly gates.
Friends? Like… in proper friends?
Really?
Honestly… I think not. Not a bit of it.
More like brothers and sisters tied up in your life in ways that are infinitely more profound than the bonds of blood alone could ever attain. This is my family, and my identity is confirmed and anchored in every bear hug that shouts, “Hold on to me a little longer! I have missed you so.” In every face-to-face moment of recognition so warm, that sparks fly off every shake of the hand.
I’m concerned you might think this is just a mushy gushing because of my over emotional reaction to the great sense of occasion afforded by a momentous gathering. I grant you, it may be mushy, and perhaps it is gushing, as well. But you know what? I’m ok with that. I can mush and gush side by side with all my other family members, and be blessed to boot.
The South East European Union welcomed us to Serbia by treating us to a fun and upbeat mix of folk music and dances, the participants dressed in their traditional national costumes. Participants appreciated the very Bible centred greeting from the Serbian deputy speaker of the parliament, Mr Vladimir Marinković, and the warmth of the SEEUC president, Pastor Đorđija Trajkovski.
Elder Ted Wilsons key note address was introduced with an innovative video, Permission to dream, which led to his key thought, a dream of a biblical and expectant church.
The message lived up to delegates expectations. Before the meeting, Zeljko stated that “It must be a spiritual meeting.”
Milan emphasised that “It needs to be a message relevant to our time.”
Oktavian and Marija shared that “We would like to hear something new… something that will help us reach people.”
Piotr was looking for Bible based inspiration.
As elder Wilson proceeded to share his thoughts, it would appear that he was less concerned about inspiring anyone, but all the more inclined to challenge. By noting the key points of the EPC catchphrases, “connect, inspire, change”, he challenged us to take on God’s own dream for Europe and for the Trans-European Division in particular.
“Keep your vision focused on God’s mission and God’s dream,” he emphasised, “working through you to reach the people of Europe.”
Wilson stated that he chose two texts, one that focused on the mission God has given us, and one to show how excited Paul gets over preaching the gospel. Paul’s emphasis on the gospel, he noted, is far stronger than the many things he had to say about roles for men, roles for women, and roles for families, or regulations within the church.
Wilson, reflecting on God’s dream, highlighted that Paul had a thorn in his flesh to keep him humble. “Do we need a thorn to prevent our heads from getting so big that we forget God’s own mission and dreams for Europe?” he asked.
He emphasised that God is leading this work to connect, inspire and then change. Citing Romans 10:13-14, he began honing in on what God’s dream actually is: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?”
“Millions of people in the cities of our territories have never heard the gospel, and the expectant news that Jesus is coming soon,” he said.
The last part of Paul’s admonition he cited as a reminder of how we as pastors are called to fulfil God’s dream: “And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?”
We are sent to preach the good news and invite people to expect his coming. And through the latter rain and power of the Holy Spirit, we can expect to achieve change in Europe.
That is God’s dream. What is yours?
Watch the opening night
tedNEWS Staff: Victor Hulbert, editor; Sajitha Forde-Ralph, associate editor
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