B u d a p e s t – Globalisation and immigration bring new challenges to the church. This was noted at a six-day missions consultation held recently by the Conference of European Churches (CEC) in Budapest, Hungary. Eighty delegates from 21 European countries, including six Baptists, convened under the theme of “Come Holy Spirit, heal and reconcile in Europe … illuminate the whole humankind with the light of Christ”. New life styles and ways of belief are gathering strength. This results in an increasing number of European countries questioning their own identity. It was concluded in Budapest that Christian faith and Christian mission in general are facing major challenges. Bitter memories from the past stemming from the bloody persecution and discrimination of minorities are in need of special attention.

The Baptist missions researcher Revd Darrell Jackson, (Didcot, Great Britain) noted that global communications systems cause émigré congregations to remain in a state of constant flux: “Relationships or events thousands of miles away have more influence than social or organizational structure at the local level in shaping the dynamics of religious groups.” The renewal of faith in Europe demands more than a simple renewal of its churches. Christian movements existing alongside or parallel to the institutional church have long been doing their part in shaping faith.

The Dutch Baptist pastor and seminary rector Dr. Rene Erwich (Amersfoort) underlined the need for reconciliation in mission. Ethnic and national conflicts are surfacing throughout Europe. Yet “violence can be stopped only by active refusal to participate in it. Enmity, separation and exclusion are unacceptable within the mission of the church.” Erwin appealed in this context for a “new humanity”. He noted as an example his own congregation in Amersfoort, which is developing a holistic approach to mission in its care for immigrants from Asia, Iraq and Iran.

The British pastor, regional minister and missions representative for the Central Baptist Association, Revd Helen Wordsworth, described the health work of her church. Christian nurses attempt to address both the health and spiritual needs of those in their care. By struggling for physical and spiritual health, they serve no less than all of society.

In a conversation with EBPS, Daniel Trusiewicz (Wroclaw, Poland), Director of the EBF’s Indigenous Missionary Project (IMP) for the planting of new congregations, commented positively on the consultation: “Such conferences are always useful if they bring people from varying confessions together to share their experiences.” Baptists could tell others much about mission, for their work in certain regions of Europe is both exemplary and successful. He was pleased that the matter of healing spiritual wounds was openly addressed at the conference. Baptists are pained that they, particularly in Eastern Europe, are still falsely labeled a sect and are accused of luring believers away from other churches.

The ecumenical, Geneva-based Conference of European Churches has 126 member churches and 43 partner organisations.