{"id":1606,"date":"2018-08-29T13:13:04","date_gmt":"2018-08-29T13:13:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/sitenews\/2018\/08\/29\/european-pastors-council-opens-with-permission-to-dream\/"},"modified":"2018-08-29T13:13:04","modified_gmt":"2018-08-29T13:13:04","slug":"european-pastors-council-opens-with-permission-to-dream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/european-pastors-council-opens-with-permission-to-dream\/","title":{"rendered":"European Pastors’ Council opens with \u2018Permission to dream’"},"content":{"rendered":"

29 August 2018 | Belgrade, Serbia [A personal reflection by Widar Ursett]<\/p>\n

Come to the European Pastors\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

Friends? Like\u2026 in proper friends?<\/p>\n

Really?<\/p>\n

Honestly\u2026 I think not. Not a bit of it.\"EPC18<\/a><\/p>\n

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, \u201cHold on to me a little longer! I have missed you so.\u201d In every face-to-face moment of recognition so warm, that sparks fly off every shake of the hand.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m 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\u2019m ok with that. I can mush and gush side by side with all my other family members, and be blessed to boot.<\/p>\n

\"EPC18<\/a>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 Marinkovi\u0107, and the warmth of the SEEUC president, Pastor \u0110or\u0111ija Trajkovski.<\/p>\n

Elder Ted Wilsons key note address was introduced with an innovative video, Permission to dream<\/em>, which led to his key thought, a dream of a biblical and expectant church.<\/p>\n