Rome (NEV / Riforma), August 18, 2018 – The Methodist and Waldensian churches are heading to their Synod in an Italy that shows resentment, hatred and uncertainty. Pastor Eugenio Bernardini, in the interview, underlines the importance of what the churches have to say in this confused context and illustrates the themes foreseen in the Synod agenda. Among them we recall the results of the survey on the churches changes in the last ten years, the analysis and assessment of numbers and mission; the pastoral role; the relation between diaconate and preaching; the relation with the Baptist church; the role of the NGOs in the migrants rescue system.
Finally, the wish of a real satisfactory answer for next ecclesiastical year expressed by Bernardini, would be the balance between preaching and service which could reinforce both: ‘In a Western context, a church that only preaches, but doesn’t take actions, has a lack of credibility; but an active church with an uncertain preaching, has an identity problem. If we find a satisfactory balance, we’ll generally improve in preaching and in service”.
