{"id":20203,"date":"2024-09-04T10:37:30","date_gmt":"2024-09-04T10:37:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/?p=20203"},"modified":"2024-09-06T11:35:46","modified_gmt":"2024-09-06T11:35:46","slug":"conflict-secrecy-imperfection-calling-worship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/conflict-secrecy-imperfection-calling-worship\/","title":{"rendered":"Conflict, Secrecy, Imperfection, Calling, Worship"},"content":{"rendered":"

31 August 2024|Blegrade, Serbia [Catherine Anthony Boldeau with tedNEWS<\/em>]<\/p>\n

When the Adventist physician and dentist D.A.R Aufranc penned the early 20th-century hymn, \u2018Far from all care we hail the Sabbath morning,\u2019 conflict, secrecy, and imperfection were not in his thoughts.<\/p>\n

Bible Study – Conflict<\/strong><\/p>\n

But the topic of conflict was explored during the Sabbath, 31 August, Bible study, facilitated by Adrian Peck and Julian Thompson, lecturers at Newbold College of Higher Education (NCHE), and the \u2018Secret Disciples and Other Imperfect Believers\u2019 narrative sermon by Dr Kendra Havoliak Valentine, Professor of New Testament Studies at La Sierra University. For the 1,200 church workers from the 22 countries within the Trans-European Division\u2019s (TED) territory and 800 members from the Serbia and Croatia region who worshipped together in the Belgrade Sava Centre, the topic occasionally created \u2018uncomfortable spaces with the Holy Spirit\u2019.<\/p>\n

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Julian Thompson and Adrian Peck lead the Sabbath School discussion about understanding the nature of conflict, particularly in the Christian context.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Using the Sabbath School study theme, \u2018Jerusalem Controversies\u2019, the study panel invited audience participation and began by asking questions centred around conflict styles before delving into the Gospel of Mark. Specifically, they explored the six controversies Jesus had with the religious leaders after he arrived in Jerusalem to prepare for his crucifixion..<\/p>\n

Speaking of the enormity of the conflicts as detailed in Mark 11 and 12, Eike Mueller, Professor of New Testament Studies (NCHE), stated, \u2018There is conflict when Jesus destroys nature (the fig tree), and there is more conflict when he cleanses the temple,\u2019 to which Thompson responded, \u2018So how can we know and choose which battles to fight?\u2019Deliberating, Anne-May Muller, Family Ministries Director (Danish Union), replied that there are different types of conflict: some that Jesus engages in and some that he ignores. The application suggests \u2018taking up the ones that God tells you to\u2019.<\/p>\n

In the concluding prayer, Peck recognised that “We live in a world where conflict is inevitable. Help us to give pastoral care wherever these conflicts exist.”<\/p>\n

Sermon – Imperfect Believers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nicodemus was the Bible character chosen as central to Valentine’s sermon, \u2018Secret Disciples and Other Imperfect Believers\u2019, <\/em>a topic subject she expounded on with passion and in-depth knowledge. John 3:13, records the story of Nicodemus visiting Jesus secretly at night. Haloviak Valentine described that visit as \u2018Jesus trying to move him from physical birth to the idea of Life of the Ages, eternal life \u2013 a truly authentic existence\u2019.<\/p>\n

She continued by sharing that Nicodemus is mentioned two further times in scripture when there is a debate among the Jewish leaders (John 7:45-52) and at the burial of Jesus (John 19:38-42).<\/p>\n

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“The Church is made up of imperfect people – and that’s why we can be a part of it.” Kendra Haloviak Valentine quoting her late father, Bert Haloviak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Government Official – Your Calling<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nemanja Starovi\u0107, Minister for Labour, Employment, Veteran, and Social Affairs, was introduced by fellow Serbian Pastor Dragan Gruji\u010di\u0107 as a \u2018man of prayer\u2019 with a \u2018deep understanding of spirituality\u2019.
\nStarovi\u0107 welcomed the delegation to Belgrade and recalled how his Adventist uncle had positively influenced his life. He also thanked the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) for the tremendous \u2018humanitarian intervention\u2019 during the Bosnian War (1992-1995) and for the hope they provided during the siege.<\/p>\n

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Nemanja Starovi\u0107, Minister for Labour, Employment, Veteran, and Social Affairs, engaging in conversation with Dragan Gruji\u010di\u0107. Pictured far left, Igor Mitrovi\u0107 – ADRA Serbia director.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Speaking directly to the pastoral workers, he said, \u2018Your calling\u2026 is very important\u2026 as we see conflicts and family crisis\u2019. He ended with what could only be described as a pastoral charge, “Be even more faithful to study and teach the word of God, like Ezra,” and he ended by quoting Timothy,\u00a0 “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage\u2014with great patience and careful instruction” (1 Timothy 4:3).<\/p>\n

Worship – Engagement<\/strong><\/p>\n

Three elements of worship elevated the engagement of the participants, the special EPC offering, personal testimony, and praise.<\/p>\n

Offering<\/em><\/p>\n

Greenland, the world\u2019s largest island, is part of the North American continent. Strangely enough, it is one of the TED unentered territories within the Danish Union. According to Anthony Wagner Smith, Director for Adventist Mission (TED), the special offering was designated to \u2018support the work of a couple who will be moving to the region in a few months’.<\/p>\n

Testimony<\/em><\/p>\n

Contagious joy radiated on the face of pastor Markelian Frasheri as he narrated his mother\u2019s journey to baptism, which he had the privilege to conduct. \u2018I had a dream 12 years<\/a> ago about Jesus coming. People around me were screaming, except one person\u2019. In the dream, Frasheri touched Jesus, whom he recognised although he couldn\u2019t see his face, and asked the Lord, \u2018where is my Mum?\u2019 Following that dream, he prayed for his mother more earnestly. Shortly after, she rang and told him that she was having Bible studies.<\/p>\n

Frasheri took the opportunity to personally give her Bible studies prior to baptism while continuing to pray about this father for whom he had a similar dream. He hopes someday to baptise him too.<\/p>\n

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A youthful-looking Belgrade Central church choir. But note the energy and enthusiasm of the youngest choir member at the far right of the photo!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Praise<\/em><\/p>\n

Music during Sabbath worship at EPC could be described as a foretaste of Heaven. With 2,000 melodious voices from many nationalities, all offering praise to Almighty God through congregational singing, it was a moving experience.<\/p>\n

One song that brought tears to many eyes was \u2018It Is Well with My Soul\u2019, penned by Horatio Spafford. This hymn provided an opportunity for the audience to be part of the \u2018embodiment of a metaphor of storms,\u2019 said Kart Lazic, worship leader. The arrangement by English Adventist composer and arranger Peter Manners-Smith began with cadenced violins mimicking the sounds of billowing waves, introducing the full orchestra in stanza two, \u2018Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come\u2019. The solemnity of \u2018My sin, oh the bliss of that glorious thought\u2026\u2019 was sung with minimal accompaniment, morphing into unison \u2018When my faith shall be sight\u2019 with the traditional flavour of the call-and-response on the last chorus..<\/p>\n

Andjela Nestorovic and the Belgrade Church Choir delivered special musical renditions. Reflecting on the Sabbath service, one pastor, who wished to remain anonymous, said, \u2018I was thrilled to participate in the interactive Bible study. I very much enjoyed the singing, and the sermon has given me much food for thought.\u2019<\/p>\n

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[Photos: Tor Tjeransen and James Botha, Adventist Media Exchange CC BY 4.0]
\nFeatured image: Kendra Havoliak Valentine preaching the Sabbath morning sermon at the European Pastor’s Council.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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