{"id":12502,"date":"2022-11-23T22:14:35","date_gmt":"2022-11-23T22:14:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/?p=12502"},"modified":"2022-11-26T08:19:43","modified_gmt":"2022-11-26T08:19:43","slug":"god-calls-us-to-be-balcony-people-says-duda-at-ted-year-end-meetings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/god-calls-us-to-be-balcony-people-says-duda-at-ted-year-end-meetings\/","title":{"rendered":"God Calls Us To Be \u2018Balcony People\u2019 Says Duda at TED Year-End Meetings"},"content":{"rendered":"

19 November 2022 | Budva, Montenegro, [David Neal and Vanesa Pizzuto]<\/p>\n

In his first Year-End Meeting sermon as president of the Trans-European Division (TED) Executive Committee, Dr Daniel Duda painted a picture of how we as church leaders #Engaged in Mission extend God\u2019s love. Noting that there are two different types of people, he said, \u201cThere are those who add air to your balloon and there are those who take air out of your balloon\u2026 some people breathe life into you, reminding you that our God is a good God.\u201d The result is clear, Duda added, when people breathe life into you, \u201cThe anxiety level goes down, while hope and trust goes up, and believing is somehow easier.\u201d<\/p>\n

Changing the metaphor, Duda then likened the two groups of people to \u2018Balcony people\u2019 and \u2018Basement people\u2019. Balcony people are those who cheer you on in your life and your race. They exhort, encourage and support, the kind of people who want you to know that God is with you. \u201cWhen you are around them\u201d, he explained, \u201cthey fill your emotional tank and bless your soul.\u201d In contrast \u2018basement people\u2019, Duda described as those who, \u201cWhen you are not looking, stick the hose into your tank, and siphon the fuel out. They drain your energy, and somehow everything becomes difficult. You lose hope, and they bring you down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Balcony people are needed<\/strong><\/p>\n

While \u2018Balcony people\u2019 is a sociological term, the idea is deeply rooted in the New Testament, with the call to \u201cEncourage one another\u201d explained Duda. In particular, his focus was on \u201cBarnabas – which means son of encouragement\u201d (Acts 4:36 ESV). \u201cAnd why is Barnabas a role model for TED leaders? Because of his Cyprus roots, a Hellenist, an Israelite born overseas, not a Gentile, but not a proper Israelite either. Instead of complaining about his situation, he becomes a balcony person, connects with the followers of Jesus community\u2026 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the feet of the apostle\u2019s feet\u201d (Acts 2:37ESV). \u201cAnd notice\u201d Duda highlighted, \u201che doesn\u2019t do it so that he gets the credit.\u201d<\/p>\n

We Encourage People by Giving<\/strong><\/p>\n

Drawing on his own life experience, Duda recalled an answered prayer in being able to attend the 1978 European Youth Congress in Lausanne, Switzerland. Travelling by train to the event, a distinguished lady in his compartment engaged him in conversation, interested in where he was going. As Duda shared the purpose of his journey, that he was from the [former communist] Czechoslovakia, the woman, inspired by the conversation said, \u201cThis is for you\u201d, and gave him twenty Swiss Francs. \u201cI still remember this after 44 years ago\u201d, said Duda.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We encourage others by believing that with God\u2019s help people can change<\/strong><\/p>\n

Duda then noted how in Acts 9:1 Barnabas (\u2018a no ordinary Joe\u2019 \u2013 his original name) meets Paul the new believer \u2013 but who is mistrusted by the \u201cdisciples and the church \u2013 everybody is afraid of him\u201d, believing his conversion to be a pretence. \u201cNo one would even come close to him\u201d explained Duda, \u201cbut the community of Jesus cannot function if people do not come close to each other.\u201d It is to Barnabas that the disciples turn to for help \u201cbecause\u201d emphasised Duda \u201cBalcony people have this incredible gift: they believe people can change with God\u2019s help. <\/em>They do not let who you were yesterday limit or determine who you might become tomorrow. It\u2019s a wonderful gift. You and I are here because somebody saw potential in you.\u201d <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

As Duda reminded listeners that the church embraced Saul, he posed a question. \u201cCan you imagine what would have happened to Saul if it had not been for Barnabas? How Saul would have been discouraged, dropped out, and become a backslider? Saul\u2019s acceptance into the community of the followers of Jesus was the result of the actions of the \u2018balcony person\u2019 who gave him this gift of a new beginning\u201d. Pointing to the wonderful summary at the end of Acts 9, Duda recognised the record here to be a big moment in the history of the church and of how the people were able to accept those who are different. \u201cThe church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened, encouraged by the Holy Spirit. It grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord\u201d (Acts 9:31).<\/p>\n

But the story does not end there, pointed out Duda, because as the church began to expand, it began to experience the miracle of Gentiles embracing Christianity. However, with these conversions also new challenges emerged. Not least, posed Duda, \u201cWhat do you do when the reality goes contrary to your theology<\/em>? Because the Gentiles didn\u2019t know the Torah, they didn\u2019t know how to live properly, yet they responded to the invitation of Jesus to become part of this new type of community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jerusalem is concerned \u2013 Barnabas sees opportunity<\/strong><\/p>\n

As Duda wrestled over the church coming to terms with a new reality, he brings Barnabas back into the picture, because he is key and notes he is appointed to serve as a field secretary. And as Barnabas saw the evidence, the tradition, and as Duda describes \u201cHe saw the grace of God at work\u2026 he was glad that God was doing something new and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord – God is doing great things in your midst with all of your hearts\u201d (Acts 11:23-24).<\/p>\n

Lessons and Application<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before sharing the lessons in leadership to learn from the experience of Barnabas, Duda shared the wonderful result – \u201cA great number of people brought to the Lord\u201d (Acts 9:31).<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Balcony people encourage others by being generous<\/li>\n
  2. Balcony people encourage others by believing that people can change<\/li>\n
  3. Balcony people can see new opportunities and involve people who can make the most of them<\/li>\n
  4. Balcony people rejoice in the success of others<\/li>\n
  5. Balcony people stand by others when they fail<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Duda concluded his sermon noting that the relationship with Paul and prominence of Barnabas goes through a change, almost a \u2018he must increase, and I must decrease moment\u2019. Duda noted, \u201cWhen we are generous – when we give people another chance and find people who can make good use of new opportunities.\u201d And the story shows how Paul becomes the great missionary to bring Christianity to Europe, \u201cPaul\u2019s ministry went on to become far more visible than Barnabas\u2019 own ministry. But Barnabas is not worried or jealous, he is happy for Paul \u2013 because Barnabas is a balcony person.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cAre we balcony people?\u201d asked Duda. \u201cWhat if there were 100 leaders like that in the Trans-European Division? How the work of the community of Jesus would look different! And if there were 88,000 like that in our part of Europe\u2026 the world would be a different place!\u201d<\/p>\n

    The Benediction<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers,
    \nhalf-truths, and superficial relationships
    \nso that you may live deep life
    \nfrom your Spirit-filled heart.<\/p>\n

    May God bless you with anger at putting people down,
    \noppression and exploitation of others,
    \nso that you may work for healing, peace,
    \nfreedom and opportunity for all.<\/p>\n

    May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain,
    \nloneliness, rejection,
    \nso that you may reach out to comfort them
    \nand to turn their pain to joy.<\/p>\n

    And may God bless you with enough foolishness
    \nto believe that you can make a difference in this world,
    \nso that you can do what others claim cannot be done!<\/p>\n

    In the name of Jesus<\/p>\n

    Amen<\/p>\n

    \n

    [Photos: James Botha]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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