From May 26 to 28, 2019, The Inter-European Division (EUD) Executive Committee met in Freudenstadt, Germany, for the annual Midyear Meeting (MYM). The Executive Committee gathering for this midyear session was composed of approximately 40 members, mainly country Church Union presidents and Institution directors directly belonging to the EUD offices.
This session of the year is mainly focused on verifying the progress of projects that were voted in the autumn session and is directed by the various heads of department.
An important part is overseen by the treasurer who presents the final balance sheet of the previous year, in this case the year 2018.
This time, there has been a change of direction. For some peculiar aspects, the officers gathered the presidents of the Unions (approx. 11) the weekend before the Committee meeting, which started on Sunday afternoon with the message of the EUD president, Mario Brito.
"A very positive meeting, full of camaraderie," says Stefano Paris, president of the Italian Union. "There have been moments of intense work, but also moments of spiritual parting," says Paris, confirming that this has been very useful for understanding the challenges that each president is called upon to face in his formidable task as a leader.
In his introductory message, opening the MYM session, President Mario Brito focused on the necessity to witness about Jesus by a personal experience. He remarked on the importance of recognizing the manifestations of Jesus in daily personal life.
“We may share the same experience and speak with the same power of the apostles that have been ocular witnesses, if we care for this personal relationship with our Savior,” said Brito.
“We should like to spend time with God; it is not an obligation, but it pays to be in contact with God, because God gives peace and calm. This peace will help us to care for our bodies, above all regarding mental health,” affirmed the President.
And to give support to these assumptions, Brito shared with the Executive members the result of a study declaring that spirituality and a relationship with God prevent burnout along with many other correlated diseases. This study reports that there are scientific evidences of the relationship between daily contact with the source of life and positive mental health.
This declaration introduced the topic presented by the guests of this Executive Committee.
Mind your health.
This year’s subject, mental health, was proposed and coordinated by Valérie Dufour, EUD Health Ministries Director.
Dr. Peter Landless, Health Ministries director of the General Conference; Dr. Carlos Fayard, associate professor & chair of the Psychiatry and Religion Program in Loma Linda, director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Training and Community Mental Health; and Drs. Willie and Elaine Oliver, Family Ministries directors of the General Conference, were invited to moderate this topic on mental health.
"The main intention is to highlight the importance of mental health alongside physical health, to destigmatize mental illnesses in our Church and to uncover the principles of interventions that are evidence-based, consistent with the Bible and inspired writings," explained Dufour.
According to official statistics, considered by some as underestimations, 1 in 5 adults experiences a mental health condition every year. Furthermore, every 40 seconds, someone, somewhere in the world, loses their life through suicide. Causing mild to severe disturbances in thought and/or behavior, mental illnesses can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, income, social status, ethnicity, or spirituality.
Neither our members nor our pastors are immune to mental illnesses. Even though spirituality can be one protective factor among several, mental illnesses like depression, burnout, or schizophrenia are not signs of spiritual weakness. The causes of mental disorders are regarded as complex and include a variety of biological, psychological, and environmental factors that can contribute both to the development and/or progression of these conditions.
Dr. Fayard stated that “in our Adventist worldview, the condition of the mind is essential to health because health involves the entire experience of the person. There is no health without mental health”. In his book, Christian Principles for the Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy, spirituality appears as a core and inseparable component of our being and “Love of God, Love of neighbor, Love of self” as contributing to the organization of our psychological experience.
Should mental health be part of the Church’s ministries? Yes, because we believe in a "ministry of healing" by which everyone can be restored to wholeness. Our concept involves the whole person: spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, and social.
It is part of our Church’s commission to promote mental and emotional health: it is embedded in the Adventist theology and prophetic self-understanding. The need is real for great numbers of pastors and members, while the rising demand in the world provides unique opportunities for responsible ministry.
With the title Habits of the Mind: Steps for Enhancing Your Family’s Well-being, Drs. Willie and Elaine Oliver pointed to the impact that family relationships can have on mental health. “Family relationships that are stable and supportive can have a positive impact on someone coping with a mental health concern or mental illness” said Willie Oliver. “Negative family relationships can cause stress, adversely impact mental health and even cause physical symptoms. Abuse, chronic stress, family of origin issues, and adverse childhood experiences, all have a negative impact on mental health.”
The report of the treasurer
One of the main purposes of the Spring Meeting of the EUD Executive Committee is to receive the financial report for the year 2018.
As an introduction to his report, Norbert Zens, EUD treasurer, quoted Isaiah 40:25-31: “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One... He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. … but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
With these words, Zens expressed that, indeed, during the year 2018 we experienced an ever-watching and -caring God.
“In 2018, we have been blessed by an extraordinary increase in tithe in the EUD region, i.e. the total tithe in the EUD region grew by more than eight percent,” said Zens. Part of that may be linked also to the stewardship emphasis we had in the first quarter of 2018, in our weekly Bible studies.
Furthermore, the mission offerings increased in 2018 by six percent, which documents the strong commitment of members in the EUD region to support the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Unfortunately, the downturn of financial markets in the last months of 2018 have also affected the investment earnings of EUD. Still, we are truly thankful for seeing our God bless our members in a special way.
As in recent years, the Church has put more emphasis on how tithe has been used; Zens reported on the use of tithe by the EUD, while a total report on the use of tithe in all Unions and Conferences will be given at the year-end meeting in November.
Minor votes have been taken to continue the normal progress of the church departments.
