Uniting Church Annual Meeting, Stockholm
At the end of September, The Uniting Church, (formerly Swedish Mission Covenant) held its annual meeting in Stockholm. It was a joy to see many friends and colleagues and hear the stories of how God is at work around Sweden and the world. It was special for me that this year the general sessions were held in Immanuel Church where I served as pastor for over 15 years.
Some highlights were learning about the growing youth work in the denomination. In Sweden, there is a revival in interest among the younger generation in the person of Jesus. The Uniting Church is experiencing this as youth are seeking out the church’s confirmation and youth programs in growing numbers with a spiritual hunger and curiosity about the Christian faith. Remarkably, even the Swedish newspapers are running articles with interviews from young people about why they are seeking out faith and the church. In one interview a young man shared that he had been looking for deeper meaning in his life, and hope for the future. He is the only Christian in his family, and describes his prayer life and connection with Christian community as foundational in his life and wellbeing.
At the same time that many youth are seeking out Christian community, there are significant numbers of youth in Sweden, often in larger cities who are deeply struggling with mental health and isolation. In these past years the number of youth being recruited to work for violent gangs has increased and the churches are seeking to join with social services to reach these youth with a message of hope and purpose for their lives.
Pray for the Uniting Church in Sweden, as they seek to welcome and disciple a new generation of Christ followers. And pray also for the many youth who are struggling to experience belonging and self worth, that the church would be present to care for these youth and invite them into a new way of life and true belonging in Christ.
In this general session the Uniting Church consecrated and prayed for new missionaries being sent to serve in Ecuador and Congo., and welcomed home those returning from service. What a joy to experience the global vision and engagement of our Swedish brothers and sisters.
On the closing evening of the meeting we gathered in Filadelfia Church, the largest Pentecostal church in Sweden, for the ordination service. Around one thousand delegates, family members, and friends gathered for an inspiring worship service and the sacred act of the church praying for and ordaining pastors and deacons into service of Christ’s church. One of the ordinants, Carl Lagerqvist, is a new pastor that I have been walking with and supporting for the past two years. He was deeply moved by the service and described how it felt to be prayed for and blessed by the whole assembly, “It felt like wind in my sails as I continue in my ministry to know that I am not alone, but have the church’s prayer and support.”
Pray for these newly ordained pastors and deacons and for the Holy Spirit’s help and guidance in their life and our brothers and sisters in Uniting Church Sweden.