Romanian Road #3
When last I wrote, I was anticipating the pastors’ conference/retreat to be held in Sinaia, a lovely resort setting in the Carpathian Mountains (i.e. approximately a 3-hour drive from Giurgiu). That anticipation has now become a reality — a reality nearing conclusion. The majority of my teaching time has now occurred, even as a light, sun-streaked snow falls. The conference began Monday and I began teaching in earnest yesterday: a teaching time-span of approximately 9 hours on Tuesday, and another 3 hours this morning.
As was true in Giurgiu (and as has been true in Malawi and Bangladesh), once again these moments in Sinaia underscore my experience: when given the opportunity, pastors and church leaders heartily engage in and relish moments, when they can study the Scriptures together, and interact with one another even as they interact with the text. Their energy levels increase as does their openness to one another, and I am given the privilege of sharing in both, even as I listen and learn from them. The mutual benefit is great.
Diligently the 42 pastors and leaders have given themselves to understanding and absorbing Paul’s challenge to his “son of the faith,” his colleague and protégé, Timothy. In 2Timothy, in essence Paul encouraged Timothy to suffer for the sake of the Gospel, a path Timothy would rather not trek. If the authoritative leader of the church, Paul, had been incarcerated as a common criminal, then what could Timothy expect if not much the same? Apparently he sought safety and security (which I fully appreciate), but if such became his god, as Paul knew well, then Timothy would not know the life and hope he so desired, both now and forevermore — the life and hope he had already experienced in Christ Jesus. Thus Paul reminded Timothy of the “via dolorosa,” the way Jesus trod, observing that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2Timothy 3:12).
Based upon experience, this latter thought is not one I can readily affirm, but such is not true for some of those here in Sinaia: as one, 46 year-old pastor observed: “Although I grew up experiencing ridicule, because I was a ‘believer,’ it was my parents’ generation who truly suffered at the hands of the Communist Party. And it would seem that such ridicule and persecution is coming upon the West.”
I wonder, even as I delight in my present privilege.
Stan