European Directors' Conference

Alternating with the biennial European Council meeting at the SU campsite in Rimlishof, France, is the Directors’ Conference at the SU campsite in Vennes, Lausanne. From 22 to 25 May the European Board and National Leaders from all over Europe came together in Vennes with Wendy Strachan, SU International Children’s Ministry Coordinator, for a time of fellowship, feedback, training and talking.

Since the last Directors’ Conference 2 years ago, new directors have been appointed in Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Spain with a vacancy for a new director still open in Lithuania. A new generation of leaders is truly emerging in the Europe Region. This is a wonderful opportunity to build on the foundations of what has gone before by injecting new vision and energy into the work.

What can we do together that we cannot do alone?

In order to do this effectively with the limited resources of manpower, material and money available, there needs to be a much more concerted effort to pool ideas, share experience and know-how, and to venture more into joint projects. This kind of “partnering” was the main message in Wendy Strachan’s talks: 

“If you want to go fast – go alone; If you want to go far – go together.”

Not only this ancient proverb advocates the benefits of partnership, Ephesians 4:4-7, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 and John 17:20-23 provided the Bible foundation for sharing resources.

A number of movements are already working together to produce Bible reading notes in the same language, others have joint camps or training seminars for camp leaders. However, the possibilities are numerous and successful partnerships have also been achieved beyond the boundaries of Scripture Union. 

“Luke the Book”, an interactive, educational DVD, is the product of a partnership between the Bible Society of Ireland and Scripture Union. SU Germany is involved with a Biblical computer game with the German Bible Society. Already thinking ahead for wider use, steps are being taken so that this project can be easily adapted for other languages. SU Slovakia uses Max7 as a follow up to KidsGames and in Kids Clubs. SU Portugal have adapted South Africa’s Ubabalo football/lifeskills programme and will hold a camp this summer using this concept in reflection of the European Football Championship.

Wendy showed us, with the help of a continuum graphic, that the level of commitment within a partnership can vary enormously. High intensity partnerships take time to develop, require a deep level of commitment and can be very painful if they don’t work out! To ensure success, the challenges as well as advantages have to be considered and pitfalls avoided.  Care should be taken in choosing partnership projects which are mutually beneficial – resulting in the enormous benefits of doing together what we cannot do alone!

John Simmons presented his paper “Guidelines for SU movements engaging in partnerships with individuals or other organisations” and reminded us that one area in which Scripture Union is very dependent on partnership is through our donors, without whom much of our vision would be just a pipe-dream! How important it is to integrate them into the work they so faithfully and generously support by giving regular, relevant feedback. His paper dove-tailed perfectly with Wendy’s address.  

The final word is never quite final with Scripture Union! This was the last Directors’ Conference for Pedro Puigvert, Director of SU Spain, who retires in September. However, he assured us that although he is retiring, he will continue as a volunteer!

And where would Scripture Union be without the partnership of our volunteers?!