7-9 December 2003

Budapest is the capital of Hungary. Originally two cities, Buda and Pest–on opposite sides of the Danube–are now conjoined to form one city, population c. 3 million. Before the wars of the 20th century, Hungary was three times its present size; today, in fact, far more Hungarians reside outside Hungary (or Magyar, in their language) than inside.

Arriving in Budapest Sunday evening, I was met by Adrian (teacher) and Ilyriana (an Albanian brother). The European Church Meeting, with just one more day to go, was being attended by leaders from nearly 30 nations. Open sharing and on-target biblical messages fixed thoughts on God and encourage the 100 plus persons present. [A digest of the various conference discussion groups–the only part of the conference I was able to attend–are summarized below.]

Once in the hotel lobby, I quickly found such old friends as Christopher Lindfelt and Gordon Ferguson, in addition to many brothers and sisters I had been with during the previous week in their respective cities. This was the seventh city of the teaching tour. I hit the hay early (10 pm).

Monday morning I arose early for breakfast, prayer and study, and exercise. Over coffee, Christopher and Lovisa Lindfeldt (Stockholm) and I discussed the upcoming Baltic conference (February 2004), to be held in Sweden. Then I listened to the discussion group summaries, on such areas as congregational healing, the women's role, and the way forward. The fellowship was fantastic, and I believe lifted the spirits of leaders from all over western, central, and eastern Europe.

In the evening I addressed the Budapest congregation ("Past, Present, Future"), before three Q&A sessions. The next morning Gordon Ferguson and I caught up over breakfast, then Peti Szaba (lead evangelist) took me on a driving tour of the city and to a Hungarian lunch. (Yes, I recommend it!) Finally, Adrian Molnar (teacher) and I headed to the airport, discussing the crucial role the teaching ministry will play in the future of the eastern European churches (which they call "The Edge"). It was a treat to visit Hungary, and I appreciate the invitation of the Budapest leadership group.

Discussion groups digest:

• The future must include serious Bible study and training, especially with a view to expository preaching.

• The church is the people, not the leaders. Eliminate de facto clergy/laity division.

• Our vision must be to restore biblical Christianity–in doctrine, personal living, and corporate life as the church.

• Some churches feel comfortable having women in consensus (leadership) groups, others not. All seemed to feel OK about a woman serving on staff, though generally with reduced pay surrounding the more intensive years when children may demand the lion's share of her time.

• Emotional and spiritual healing are gradually coming to our churches. We are overcoming feeling of "learned helplessness" through small decisions and deeds which can make a big difference in our confidence sense of progress.

• Stable churches flow from healthy leadership dynamics.

• We as leaders must be better listeners, allowing people to talk. (And we must be sure we are dealing with our own issues so that we do not overreact if/when others vent.) As in the operating room, much needed surgery may still involve loss of blood, making for "messy" times.

SPECIAL THANKS to Mirko Russo and Christian Herbst (Berlin), Peti Szaba (Budapest) and Thierry Fender (Geneva) for organizing this conference.

Douglas Jacoby