The Calling (Speech with discussion guide for groups)

Alan Donaldson
8 hours ago
7 min read

Jordan – September 2025

Rev. Alan Donaldson: European Baptist Federation General Secretary

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

-Ephesians 6:12-

A year ago in Budapest, as I listened to the council of EBF, I heard them say that maintaining unity in their communities was one of the hardest challenges they faced. I heard the council say that the divisiveness of populist nationalism was impacting ministries and darkening communities. As I have reflected over the past year, I have been reminded that EBF came together at a time when Europe was divided, when prejudice reigned, at a time when evil had visited almost every community and left its scars of darkness. This has given us a testimony of hope in times of darkness.

It is easy to focus on the evil present in our societies. British market towns are overwhelmed by national flags—not as a sign of patriotism, but as a symbol of exclusion, last seen to this degree during the violent troubles in Northern Ireland. In the Middle East, tens of thousands lose their lives, and across the region, millions are displaced. Starvation and malnutrition are being experienced in Gaza. Children are getting ill and dying from diseases that were thought to be eradicated. Insults are being shouted in our streets at people of colour. Court systems are being manipulated for political purposes. Cyber wars, mafia control, and criminal gangs are aspects of daily life in the region. Fake news is proclaimed as truth, and truth is proclaimed as fake news. There are continued religious freedom violations and a resurgence of war crimes. Added to this is the shame of churches failing vulnerable people at the hands of unaccountable leaders, including the abuse of women and children.

The double tragedy is that much of this evil behaviour is presented as Christian, or motivated by so-called Christian values, or condoned by Christians, when in reality it is darkness masquerading as light. We must remind each other that Christian values can never be achieved by unchristian means—that is the key teaching of the wilderness temptations of Jesus. Christian values can only be achieved through humility, servanthood, and sacrifice, as Philippians 2 teaches us. What we see in the region is not simply man’s inhumanity to man, as dark as that can get. Surely it is what the Apostle Paul describes as the action of forces of evil in the heavenly realms. And therefore, the atoning work of Christ is the only answer. Being shaped by that atonement, not just for the forgiveness of our sin but for the way we live, with a “renewed mind,” is our only credible response (Romans 12:2).

It is in cruciformity that we seek to serve as ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18–20). The only thing that can dispel darkness is light. That is why the faithful worship of a local church, no matter its inadequacies, is potentially powerful. That is why the proclamation of good news must always be on our lips, because it is “good news for the captive.” That is why our hands and feet should be given over to the service of the shamed, the poor, the doubters, the friendless, the weary. Because “there is redemption for every affliction at the foot of Calvary.” The brokenness and darkness of our world can be renewed, but only in Christ, for in him and through him he will “bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ” (Ephesians 1:10).

It was in Christ that the divide between Jew and Gentile was overcome. It is Christ who unites the church, and it is in Christ that the world will one day be united. And until that day, we have the message of reconciliation; we have the position of ambassador; we are agents of peace.

So what are we doing to reconcile our region? How are we weaving people together in our communities? How are we offering something different from siding with the right or with the left? How are we offering something different from standing with Israel and against Gaza, or standing with Gaza and against Israel? Do we have to be drawn into a narrow, bipolar narrative that is reminiscent of the principalities and powers of this dark world, whose plight is division and estrangement, whose methodology is soundbites that provoke a reaction of destruction in a crowd, like the cry, “Give us Barabbas”? Can we not speak with questions instead of impossible certainty? Can we not enquire before we respond to the latest revelation on social media? Can we not offer a different way of speaking? When the religious leaders encountered the wisdom of Christ, they went silent: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” (John 8:7), “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” (Matthew 22:20).

The one whose message was to choose the narrow path requires much of us. He called us to learn to love the Lord our God, to love our neighbour, to love our enemy, and maybe critical for this generation, to love ourselves, because God loves you and God also loves them.

It drives me to ask: how does EBF contribute to the calling on your unions to be bringers of social cohesion in the region? What is the role of EBF to support your convention, to begin to serve in such a way that your society is brought together? How does EBF support your association to be fearless in your actions of humility?

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.”

-Ephesians 2:14–16-

How are we echoing Christ in helping put to death hostility between people in our communities and countries, and between nations? I think EBF has something to offer to this ministry of social cohesion, of putting to death hostility. I think some of you are further forward in thinking about this and practising as a church than I am. However, our own unity as EBF, despite such diversity, is a testimony to the power of this reconciling gospel. Our seventy-five-year history of being woven together for peace is at the heart of our future together. I want to call us to a ministry of transformation: to be ambassadors of reconciliation, to be proclaimers of the whole gospel that impacts individual salvation, community transformation, and ultimately the renewal of all things.

Let us remain as one as we seek to ask: how will we contribute to social cohesion in this region? We are called to overcome the work of the evil one who seeks to divide and destroy. Let us, in Christ, bring light, life, and hope together as one.

Discussion Guide

Theme: Ambassadors of Reconciliation in a Divided World

Text Foundations: Ephesians 6:12; Ephesians 2:14–16; 2 Corinthians 5:18–20; Philippians 2:5–11; Romans 12:2

Opening Reflection

📖 Scripture: Ephesians 6:12

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers… the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

⚡️Prompt:

What kinds of “dark powers” or spiritual forces do we see at work in our societies today?
How can we distinguish between ordinary human conflict and deeper spiritual realities?

🙏Prayer:

Begin with a short prayer acknowledging God’s presence and inviting the Spirit to guide the conversation toward truth, humility, and unity.

Naming the Darkness

“The double tragedy is that much of this evil behaviour is presented as Christian… when in reality it is darkness masquerading as light.”

⚡️Discussion Questions:

Where do we see examples today of “darkness masquerading as light”?
How can churches guard against aligning the gospel with political, nationalistic, or ideological agendas?
What spiritual disciplines help us discern truth from deception?

💡Optional Activity:

In pairs, name one current issue in your community or country that feels divisive. Discuss how the church could respond in a Christlike, reconciling way.

Living the Cruciform Life

📖Scripture: Philippians 2:5–11

“He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.”

⚡️Discussion Questions:

Donaldson says “Christian values can never be achieved by unchristian means.” What does this look like in practice?
How does humility, servanthood, and sacrifice shape our ministry and leadership?
Where do we personally or corporately need to repent of trying to “win” rather than serve?

Agents of Reconciliation

📖Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18–20

“God… gave us the ministry of reconciliation… We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.”

⚡️Discussion Questions:

What does it mean for our church to be “ambassadors of reconciliation”?
How can we offer something different from taking sides in polarized conflicts (e.g., political, ethnic, or national disputes)?
What practices help us build bridges rather than walls?

Unity as a Witness

“Our own unity as EBF, despite such diversity, is a testimony to the power of this reconciling gospel.”

⚡️Discussion Questions:

In what ways is unity across diversity part of our gospel witness?
How can our local or national fellowship model unity amid difference?
What steps could we take to weave people together in our communities?

From Reflection to Action

📖Scripture: Ephesians 2:14–16

“For he himself is our peace… his purpose was to create in himself one new humanity… thus making peace.”

🎬Action Steps:

Invite the group to brainstorm concrete next steps such as:

Hosting dialogue gatherings between divided groups (churches, ethnic communities, political perspectives). https://www.citizensuk.org/leadership-training/organising-together-across-difference/
Creating liturgies or prayer times focused on reconciliation.
Supporting initiatives for justice, refugee care, or social cohesion.
Reviewing how your church’s language and communication reflect (or hinder) unity.

🤔 Closing Reflection: