Vertallier on the Adventist Church in western Europe and northern Africa
Church growth in the church's Euro-Africa region is stagnating, church leaders say. The region, which surrounds the Mediterranean Sea, is home to some 176,000 Adventists in a population of nearly 600 million or about one church member for every 3,356 people.
Regional leaders at this month's Year-End Meeting, held in France, discussed why secularism and postmodernism are obstacles to growth. A study on Adventist youth in the region revealed similar challenges, but also that many of them are signing up for volunteer service, both at home and abroad.
The region reflects a modern mobile membership. For example, half of church membership in Spain is originally from Romania. Euro-Africa also has opportunities for major outreach to other faiths - the region is home to some 50 million Muslims, leaders say.
Bruno Vertallier, president of the church in Euro-Africa, answered a few questions following Year-End Meetings. Some excerpts:
Adventist News Network: What kind of a worship environment should the church create in your region?
Bruno Vertallier: It is the role of the church to provide a good spiritual support in a way they will be able to make positive experiences and find their place in the church.
ANN: What are some things about the study on youth that concerned you?
Vertallier: Young people are reading the Bible less and less but it seems that they read fewer books in general. Their interest is more oriented toward new media, like the Internet. Therefore it would be appropriate to have sites were the Bible is presented in a more lively way.
ANN: What are some of your goals for the church?
Vertallier: Mission is a primary goal for Euro-Africa. Having had the opportunity to access TV on a regular channel through ASTRA for our region is a great open window for our territories and for the 10/40 Window. Our goal is to multiply ways in which we will be able to reach out to the minorities as well as the natives. God is giving wonderful opportunities and we want to respond in a dynamic way.
ANN: What are some of the challenges the church in your region faces?
Vertallier: Secularism is [the biggest] but through the so-called small group approach we can say that we have been blessed and more and more local congregations are encouraged to follow this pattern. Europe is also a mosaic [of cultures] and the churches are [oriented] to welcoming other cultures. We are confronted by the same reality as in the community but we are confident that the Lord will give to all a heart to mingle together and discover how beautiful it is to work and share the everlasting gospel with brotherly love.
ANN: Why are Italy and Spain the fastest growing areas of the church in your region?
Vertallier: Spain and Italy have had encouragement in their growth. This is a great reward in our fields here in Euro-Africa because it shows that when evangelism is done intentionally it can bring success. Both countries have implemented the small group strategy and in some places the fruits were given by the Lord. For example, in Spain they have had over 500 baptisms within a seven-month period.
ANN: Enrolment is up at both Saleve Adventist University [in France] and Friedensau [Adventist University in Germany]. What contributes to this development?
Vertallier: Let us give credit to our Lord for this good result. Bilingual programs at Friedensau and a new dynamic team at Saleve may be a part of the answer. Next year we will see if the tendency accelerates and analyze the reasons with clearer data.
ANN: Some church leaders say the church in your region seems to not have been affected by the global economic downturn as much as some other areas. Why do you think this is so?
Vertallier: Europe has a long tradition of saving. This does not mean that we have no problems in our countries. Some have been affected more than others. Unemployment has not touched our church members in the same way it has touched society in general. The high level of education of our people might have protected many of them in keeping their jobs. Faithfulness in supporting the church is also a miracle of our God.
ANN: You mentioned earlier that there has been an increase in youth volunteering. What do you think has raised their interest?
Vertallier: We still need more volunteers but it is very encouraging to see that so many want to make an experience with the Lord in serving the church here or overseas. They will never look at the church the way they used to look at it before. The church will become more meaningful to them and the experience will be a great plus in their lives.