THE HAGUE, Holland (BNc) — On June 1 about 120 Dutch-speaking Christians from nine congregations in Holland and Flanders (Belgium) met at The Hague for their yearly spring fellowship meeting.
This year the congregation in Maastricht was responsible for the program, which was on the theme ‘One in the Spirit’.
In the introductory address Ruud Verheijen stated: “We want to encourage each Christian not to avoid difficult subjects and differences of opinion. … Do not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by Christians who speak only from their own feelings or desires. Our only and correct benchmark is God’s Word.”
He quoted the passage: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-5).
Scott Raab taught a class on conflict resolution on the basis of God’s word. Although conflict is inevitable when certain people persist in teaching or doing what is wrong, Scott encouraged those present to be sure that conflicts are not caused or aggravated by unchristian attitudes and behavior, or by poor communication.
In discussion groups a list was presented of topics that cause problems in some congregations: the role of women, head-covering, music, the Lord’s supper, organized activities of the church, divorce and remarriage. Although a list of passages was given for each topic, it was not the intention to study the topics in the discussion groups, but to discuss how one should go about studying and solving such questions. Some opinions were expressed, however, that showed the urgent need for further study.
A warm meal was served at noon that had been prepared by the ladies of the Maastricht congregation.
Reaction?