"Gemeenteopbouw in Baptist missionary perspective is directed to provide a counter-culture and calls for imitation and discipleship." Dr Edward Green claimed that Saturday, September 10 in the opening lecture of the 54th year of the Baptist Seminary. In Focus in Doorn was a start of the weekend students completed an open celebration, which also received five students a diploma.
Theme of the meeting was "credible community - starting from a Baptist gemeenteopbouw.Green, Professor of Practical Theology and Gemeenteopbouw, is also author of the book that was presented. He formulates, defining the three goals of Baptist gemeenteopbouw. "Missionary orientation means that you focus on the world around you, you try to follow society. At the same time you want as a counterculture commune offer an alternative to justice, mutual love, in short, to contribute to God's kingdom. If imitation is the third important. Baptists are a covenant community of choice: you connect you to a church volunteer. This requires that you are willing to account to each of your lifestyle, always talking to each other to keep looking, so the belief in practice is true. " These aspects is also reflected in other religious movements, but the combination is typical of Baptists in Green. Green also mentioned a number of processes and practices that fit gemeenteopbouw Baptist. "There is an emphasis on stories, rather than teaching:the story of God is connected with the story of the church and parishioners, "he called, among other things. And: "Participation: everyone counts and everyone should do it. In Baptist churches, we know the priesthood of all believers. There is no room for hierarchical control and manage, but a process of forming the bottom. " Green argued for "open models", rather than step-by-step models that should lead to success. "Gemeenteopbouw is always contextually determined: it is about this church, this vocation in this area and with these people and resources. In this particular context, a flexible model to be applied. "
International Baptist Seminary
The meeting ended with the graduation of five students. At the same time if the Baptist Seminary fourteen new students welcome. "Our flourishing seminary," noted Board Chairman Albert Remmelzwaal whatsoever.He pointed to the time and energy in recent years have invested in collaboration with the University, the University Christian Windesheim, the Azusa Theological Seminary and Evangelical Theological Seminary. "We are pleased that these networks are paying off, but we have more ideals and dreams. By focusing on the strengthening contacts with other Baptist churches and educational institutions abroad, we continue to grow: in financial support, the quality and attractiveness of education, international meetings and research. " Remmelzwaal warned that such ideals are often achieved in small steps. "But maybe also a big step possible. The International Baptist Seminary, the IBTS, considering from Prague to another European country to move. Amsterdam is an interesting option for various reasons, currently being investigated by the IBTS - along with two other European cities. "
See more photos in the web album .