• The technology by which we can have an impact
• The young people who are committed to spiritual development even if
not regular church attenders
• Our New Church school system which can be leveraged for outreach
• The firm establishment of the use of outreach
• The value we place on marriage and conjugial love
• The opportunity we have to reach out with the truths the Lord has given
in a secular world in which churches are not putting forth their falsities
as they once did
• The stream of people around the world wishing to associate with the
General Church
Following this introduction, pre-assigned small groups discussed, among
other things, challenges and opportunities faced by the individual ministers in
their work and by the Board members in theirs.
In the second session of the afternoon, the ways in which ministers benefit
from central services were discussed. Finally, needs and opportunities that
might be considered in a strategic plan were prioritized and groups reported
back to the whole. The notes taken in each small group were turned in for
further analysis and categorization. The plan is for the small groups to find
ways to continue interacting during the coming year.
SATURDAY, JUNE 28
The Rev. Göran R. Appelgren: “From Love to Love.” He
said the idea behind the paper is that we begin from love
and end up with love, and in between is a lot of motion,
emotion and messiness, at times, until we get back to where
we are supposed to be. The main point, he said, is that if we
recognize love as the prime force in our lives, the Church
and the Word, we could relax and do our work better and
with more ease, knowing the Lord is in charge, and we are
His servants. Love is the beginning and the end, and we are
The Rev. Göran R.
servants in the middle.
Appelgren pointed out that
if we recognize love as the
Mr. Appelgren observed that everyone wants what
prime force in our lives, we
“love” stands for. People are their love, and we should start
could relax and do our work
with recognizing that “this is me” experience they have,
better and with more ease.
walk with it, and lead it to a place closer to the Lord.
The Lord does His leading “little by little,” wanting His love to be received.
The progress from love to love is shown in many places in the Word, such as
Jacob’s departure from Esau, who represents love, and his return to him.
In our church and in the world we need to recognize the imperfections as
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