B u d a p e s t – The Dutch Baptist Union has overcome a long-standing crisis. That was the verdict Pastor Anne de Vries (Veendam), spokesperson for international relations in that Union`s leadership council, in a conversation with the European Baptist Press Service at European Baptist Federation (EBF) Council sessions in Budapest. On the congregational level, Baptist identity had sunken continually in recent years. A number of congregations even left the Union. Some congregations considered this step because they no longer wanted to pay the annual fee of 50 Euro per church member. Others questioned the Union services they were receiving in return for their payments. In addition, church members have supported varying positions on homosexuality and the ordination of women. The Union has now won back congregational trust with a three-point-programme. The congregations have been offered materials on the topics of solidarity, church planting and congregational development. The 13 largest congregations intend to form partnerships with smaller and weaker ones and help them develop a more appealing church life. Workers, money and counsel are to be made available. Since the beginning of this programme, the we-feeling among Baptists has increased markedly. Thirty congregations are participating in the programme for congregational development.

The Dutch Union has also sold its headquarters in Vinkenhof near Utrecht. On-going expenses for the building were too high. It was also difficult to reach the address with public transportation. The Union will be allowed to use the premises for one more year. According to de Vries, the search is on for a more centrally-located and accessible building.

Ninety-two congregations with 11.700 members belong to the Union of Baptist churches. Two new congregations will be joining at the annual conference in October. De Vries regretted past withdrawals, the result has been stagnate membership numbers within the Union. Without withdrawals, the Union would be growing annually by roughly 400 members. De Vries estimates that 9.000 Baptists are meeting in independent congregations. Loose, fraternal contacts on the level of the Evangelical Alliance are maintained.

De Vries reports that the Dutch Union is enthusiastic about celebrations scheduled for the 400th anniversary of the founding of the world’s first Baptist congregation. It was started in the backyard of an Amsterdam bakery by religious refugees from England in 1609. The European Baptist Federation is consequently planning for a large conference in Amsterdam from 24 to 26 July 2009.