Impression GA autumn 2011
The Union wishes to work with the Alliance of Baptists and Camagemeenten (ABC) to investigate a possible merger. That is the most important decision was taken Saturday, November 19th at the General Assembly (GA) in Arnhem South. Wednesday when the General Assembly of the ABC to the same conclusion, a committee will be formed with representatives from both churches. This committee will investigate whether the coming years a theological and organizational merger proves impossible.
Prior to the AV, the Commission Inter-Church Cooperation (CIS) of the Union for an exploratory study of similarities and differences between the two churches. The commission concluded then that there were sufficient opportunities and starting points for further discussion to be about a merger.After a number of Members of municipalities in the AV had expressed their concerns about particular organizational differences, problem areas in the past and the autonomy of individual congregations, the proposal was to continue the journey, with 96 against 13 votes. Then spoke Jannes Hofman, president of the Union, and Orlando Bottenbley, president of ABC and as a guest present at the GA, a prayer.
The proposal by the same committee for cooperation with the United Pentecostal Churches and Gospel (VPE) to intensify was unanimously adopted. Is already close collaboration in the training of both predecessor denominations. In addition, we see opportunities for cooperation in such encounters pastor, church planting, equipment, diaconal and missionary.
Vinoth Ramachandra
AV opened with a contribution from Vinoth Ramachandra, a prominent Asian thinker involved in the International IFES student movement and the right people in Sri Lanka.Based on the history of Emmaus (Luke 24) he spoke among missional church in Western Europe and "mission on the road. "As Jesus and the Emmaus road, and mingled in their conversation, so we would be more in the conversation mix that society is in progress. Often we get people in our churches and tell them about the gospel, in order that they are like us. Jesus is contrary to the people and turn them thinking by asking questions. " In addition, said Ramachandra to invest in personal relationships, to - like the Emmaus Jesus invited - people in your own house to let. "In hospitality, we can follow Jesus and thus testify of Him and talk with people coming."
Primary
Youth Eijkelboom Anita presented the results of a survey of youth workers within thirty Municipalities Union. The need for support from the EU lies mainly in the areas of training, equipment and exchange.The Primary task is seen as a contact for referral, advice or training for all questions concerning youth. A proposal that the youth worker in addition to promoting and supporting youth in the churches, go to the pioneering efforts in new forms of youth, was adopted.
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International seminar
Douwe Visser, Union Board Member with the portfolio theological education, reported on the state of play of the International Baptist Theological Seminary (IBTS) in Prague.This institute is forced to move and is considering taking Amsterdam as the new location. This would give the Dutch Baptist Seminary a very positive development. The only other remaining options are the involvement of another building in Prague or moving to Germany.
Other topics during the GA were presented included a number of recently held information and exchange evenings on the subject of 'friends of the municipality, the development of plans for a reorganization of the Union, and the state of play of the current and next multi-year plan. The budget for 2012 was adopted unanimously.
André Bijleveld
The GA was closed by a short workshop with the known (Baptists) musician André Bijleveld. He studied with the present one in terms of rhythm new version of the famous song "Great is thy faithfulness O Lord," and left the room in three voices the revival hymn "Great is He, Most High Lord" sing.
See here more pictures of the AV (photographer: Sjoerdt de Ruijter).
Meeting documents