CELC Conference - Page 2
© Pastor John Vogt of the LBK congregation in Gothenburg
While we were dressed in shirt shirts while picking up our guests (it was a warm 55 degrees), the Africans found Sweden's weather a bit cool. In fact, Sandy ran home and packed up all the sweaters and jackets she could find. We also arranged with school to turn up the heat in their dormitory rooms and provide them extra blankets.
One sad note: The presidents of two Nigerian church bodies were scheduled to come. Their government turned them back at the airport, however, and they were not allowed to leave the country. No one knows exactly why, but such things happen in Africa we are told.
The Conference itself
The conference heard and discussed five essays on the theme, "Jesus Christ - the same yesterday, today, and forever," one essay each by pastors from Germany, Sweden, Peru, Malawi and Japan. The sessions as well as the informal fellowship demonstrated the blessing of unity which the Holy Spirit has given our churches. There was no sign of disagreement on anything doctrinal the entire time. The only point of discussion that I can recall was over the question of whether a Nigerian church-body had formally applied for membership or not. I don't know what was done about that, but I know that the churches in Latvia, the Ukraine, and the Czech Republic were received, bringing the number of member churches to 19.
The reports each church gave of its work - both the joys and the difficulties - were especially memorable and encouraging. The Indonesian church told of its church building being burned to the ground by militant Moslems. The fire department, which was minutes away, did not arrive on the scene until eight hours later. And yet in the following weeks, 15-20 new members were baptized. The Finish church reported on receiving a new family by adult baptism and confirmation from Turkmenistan. Similar to our experience in Sweden, they have had more success reaching immigrants than people of their own country. The Albanians reported on church attendances of 100 or more.
The closing service in a 1600's church we rented was a real treat. I think I'll always remember the chalice we used. We are used to using a small common cup here. There was a mistake, however, and someone forgot to bring the Communion set. So we had to borrow a chalice from the state church's collection. It was huge; obviously they had larger attendances in the past than they do these days. The chalice looked to me more like a basin for baptisms. I understand that it did not need to be refilled during our entire distribution.
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