Keeping the Principles of the Body
The Blending Conference in Bratislava
September 10 and 11, 2016
On September 10-11, 2016, an annual blending conference was held in Bratislava, Slovakia that was attended by more than 140 saints from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Austria, and Serbia. Before the conference a meeting took place with brothers from the aforementioned countries. Together, the brothers enjoyed ministry portions on the purpose of blending, the unique ground of the local churches, and the oneness of the unique, universal Body of Christ. They shared about the church life in their respective localities and were strengthened and encouraged in their realization that the local churches are not the ultimate goal of God’s economy, but instead are the procedure to reach the reality of the Body of Christ.
During the conference the speaking brothers shared three messages on “Keeping the Principles of the Body.” The conference outlines were chosen from the Thanksgiving Day Conference in 1998.
The first conference for the saints from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary was held in 2005 on the subject of “The Glorious Church,“ and the speaking in that conferernce was received as the Lord‘s timely answer to the needs of the saints in that region at that time. The feeling concerning the sharing in this year’s conference was the same. A prevailing sentiment among the saints was that, just as in Luke 9, where the Lord fed a multitude with five loaves and two fish, it seemed that the Lord blessed the three messages in this conference to abundantly feed the gathered crowds.
Rich testimonies and sharing after each message not only enhanced and strengthened the released burden but also confirmed that the Lord presently cherishes and nourishes His Body. The saints realized the need to see the vision of the Body and were encouraged to organically follow the principles of the Body unto its building up in love for the carrying out of God’s eternal economy and the fulfillment of His heart´s desire.
This conference was also a new experience for many of those in attendance who have only recently come into the church life in different localities. Lastly, one refreshing feature of the conference was the participation of the young people.
The Lord’s table meeting was a beautiful exhibition that there is only one Body in the whole universe, and we are part of it.
At the end of the conference, a helpful word was given about how we can practice the Body life with its principles by following the pattern of the church life from the book of Acts—remaining in the teaching and fellowship of the apostles and meeting day by day and from house to house.
The overall atmosphere and the impact of the conference is perhaps best described by the response of one student:
“Thank you for this refreshing conference. It was very pleasant, living, and joyful. I look forward to further blending. Praise you, Lord Jesus! Lead us and show us how to build the Body! Oh Lord, in oneness! May everything be for the glory of Christ!”
A video report can be seen by clicking on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OkaDGXGnUo&feature=youtu.be
Thank you for your prayer for us, and much grace to you all,
The serving ones in Bratislava
