Porto, Portugal [C. Cozzi, CD EUDNews]. December 17, 2014.
Sunday, December 7th was the last of the training series on understanding and applying Christian management in Portugal. The Seventh-day Adventist Church places special emphasis on stewardship and invites members to consider the positive effects.
The series of training courses started in July, with a meeting for German delegates at the Adventist Seminary of Bogenhofen, Austria; then in September for Slavic delegates at the Adventist Seminary of Cernica, Romania; lastly, at the Adventist College Olivera do Douro in Portugal.
About 400 people attended the meetings including lay members and pastors - plus about one hundred young people in Romania.
Special emphasis on stewardship was given to help understand basic life management.
In fact, the basic concept of stewardship, which is erroneously considered in ecclesiastical circles more as a training for finances and economics, actually focuses on a holistic approach to life. This includes factors that affect leadership, discipleship, time management, resources and skills; relationship with others, with ourselves and with the Lord. It also includes a look at the future, especially for young people who are still planning their future.
The training in Porto was attended by delegates from Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland and Portugal, fifty in all.
The course was led by Erika Puni, director; Mario Nino and Larry Evans, Associate directors of the Stewardship Department of the Adventists General Conference. Representing the Inter-European Region was Paolo Benini, director, Corrado Cozzi, associate director and Elsa Cozzi, Children's Ministries director.
Elsa Cozzi inspired the listeners, and appreciated the invitation to work on a plan and proposal for management awareness in a practical way starting at an early age.
"The Lord suggested placing children in a management context" stressed Elsa Cozzi, "just think of the stories of Joseph, Samuel, David, Jeremiah, Josiah, and other biblical characters who were taught for the benefit of the society in which they lived.
"In fact, the basic concept of stewardship is to foster development for the community in which the steward lives. The skills acquired do not serve to create an ideal, but a more functional profile. We all have responsibilities in achieving this goal."
Pictures: 1. The Delegates. 2. Elsa Cozzi, Children's Ministries Director (C. Cozzi).