European Body Life Conference 2007

I don't typically write reports on my trips. But so many of you have asked me about the European Body Life conference that I felt compelled to draft a very brief report.

The conference was held near Heilbronn, Germany - an absolutely gorgeous part of the country where breathtaking vineyards and ancient castles abound. 

We began on Thursday evening and went through till Sunday morning (June 7-10). Since this was the first European Body Life conference for Europe, the conference hosts wanted to keep the attendance small. So they limited it to 70 people. During the course of the conference, however,  people brought friends and family members, so between 80 and 90 ended up attending during the course of the weekend.  This surprised many of us since there was no advertising. Outside of a brief announcement on a few web sites, the news spread by word of mouth.

People from 12 different countries were present: Germany, Holland, Spain, France, Switzerland, Norway, Greece, Liechtenstein, Belgium, Ireland, the UK, and the United States.

The subject was The Desire of God's Heart. Charles Wilhelm from Germany opened the conference with an insightful look at Mount Zion in the Old Testament as a type and shadow of God's desire for His church. I followed by delivering a series of messages entitled "Reimagining the Eternal Purpose." Gary Welter from the United States ended the conference by telling his story of leaving the modern pastorate to live in an organic expression of the church. There were also small group exercises each afternoon where the conference attendees enjoyed spiritual fellowship with one another. 

The conference ended with everyone in the room holding on to one another and singing with one voice (but not a few tears) to our glorious Lord.

To summarize the conference in a sentence, the Revolution has spread to Europe. And it's picking up fuel there. Many were deeply impacted and their testimonies about our four days together were more than encouraging.

I was personally touched by watching the excitement of those who were hearing about God's ultimate purpose for the first time. In addition, I was blessed by seeing so many different believers from all over Europe come together with one mind to glorify, fellowship with, and learn of their Lord.  It was an experience that is hard to describe. Especially in light of the trail of blood that has been spilt on European soil - blood that was drawn on Christians who disagreed with one another over doctrines. 

There was no hint of such a spirit anywhere during our time together. People from a slew of religious backgrounds came together for four days, most of whom never laid eyes on one another. Our focus was Christ and God's breathtaking purpose in Him. There were no doctrinal disputes, no arguments over the Bible, and no theological debates. Fellowship was focused on Jesus Christ and His ultimate intention, as well as a genuine interest to learn of Him through one another.  

In closing, it was a delight to meet so many of my readers in person and to hear about their spiritual journeys.  Every time I travel, I learn so much from the people I meet.  This trip was no exception. I've concluded that those of us who are rethinking and experiencing the Christian life "outside the box" are making new discoveries in the Lord. And I'm honored to meet so many new people and benefit from their discoveries.

One of the things I said at the close of my last message was, "This conference will not end here. It will continue in the weeks and months to come." And then I proceeded to give specific spiritual exercises to everyone in order to help make that happen. Here's part of an email I received recently from someone who attended the conference:

"You were so right about the conference will continue I read the first half of your book ["God's Ultimate Passion"] on the train ride home and I was really tempted to write you an email right away, it had stirred me  up so much! It has accompanied me throughout this week . . . The way you talk about it is really breathtaking - the church being Christs counterpart, like Eve was Adams equal but different helper. You know, His purpose has grabbed me to the point where everything else does not make much sense any more right now."

As a result of the conference, plans are being laid for new church plants all throughout Europe. There is also great interest in a follow-up conference, one where there would be no limit on attendance.  So perhaps there will be a second European Body Life conference in 2008. And if you couldn't make the first one, perhaps I'll meet you then.

Your brother in the costly but glorious quest,

Frank

Postscript

On a Different Subject.  Recently, I had dinner with a key-leader in the emerging church. During the course of our conversation, we got into the subject of unfair criticism, false accusation, and the experience of the cross. As we talked about this, he quoted a famous political figure who once said, "In the end, it is not the words of your enemies that you remember, it is the silence of your friends." That quote gave language to something I've felt and observed for a long time. The pain that's caused by unfair criticism, false accusation, sideways jabs, belittling, ridicule, cut-downs, slander, and the like, is one thing. But what is more painful is when the people whom you regard as your friends allow it to happen, remain silent, or even laugh with the person making the jab. Please keep this in mind the next time any Christian says a negative word, either overtly or under the cloak of a belittling joke, about another believer. Remember that the silence of  a friend is far more hurtful than the criticism itself. And we have not so learned Jesus Christ.

Published June 2007