Added to pastors, elders, authorized preachers and missionary families, there is a new title in the church: “Ambassadors”
April Fools?
No, it wasn't April fools this weekend for about thirty participants. A weekend organized by the Religious Freedom Department of the Swiss French-speaking Federation and the Ticino Seventh-day Adventist Churches.
Acting on the idea of John Graz - a former Director of the World Church's Religious Liberty Department - Giampiero Vassallo and Donato Stasi, members of churches sensitive to public relations and religious affairs gathered for their first formation on April 1-2 at the Montets, in the Broye district, canton of Fribourg. The program entitled "Ambassador for the Church", was an invitation to reflect on the location of the local church in the city and its relation to the authorities and the media.
It is true that Public Relations and Religious Freedom bring back good memories of when a young person is confronted with the military authorities. If his convictions tell him not to carry weapons or to be let go on Friday afternoon rather than on Saturday morning.
Or, when students refuse to take their exams on the Sabbath day. In short, when there is a problem.
At this point, the local administrator (very often the pastor) is contacted to help solve the problem.
Let us not forget that being free to go to church, being able to express our beliefs without fear of the police, and to be able to open places of worship or schools is a blessing.
Let us not forget that it is thanks to the work of our ambassador pioneers that we have this freedom.
When a problem arises, instead of pushing towards confrontation, let us be peacemakers. With a gentle, non-aggressive, constructive and integral approach, we maintain relationships with those who have the power to decide.
This will result in dialogue, visibility, protection of church members and freedom to preach the message.
Unfortunately, denial, corruption and lies try to take the place of truth. Our society needs ambassadors of God just like Daniel was in his time.