by Peter Kuzmic
Only Protestantism in Eastern Europe is largely free of identifying nationality with a particular Christian confession. The shift from totalitarianism to tribalism, and from rights to roots, threatens not only democratic processes in most East European countries, but also any hopes for true religious liberty.
Illusions misinform the present reality of Eastern Europe minus Marx. Sadly, for example, too many take for granted that freedom and the present spiritual hunger will last. We do have unprecedented freedom, and there is a massive search for spiritual realities--a search for God. The spiritual vacuum created by Communism is enormous. However, currently freedom is threatened in numerous locations and the hunger for ultimate truths very likely will decline as the novelty of being able to explore all consumerism and materialism fades. For example, in East Germany, the churches had been full before the Berlin Wall was destroyed and now they are, in many cases, empty, and the Deutschmark is the idol of devotion. Western ministries, therefore, should understand the fleeting nature of East European spiritual hunger and the current willingness to accept any and every offer of spiritual help.
It is amazing how many pastors in Eastern Europe are now overworked, overloaded, and experiencing burnout. Pastors in Eastern Europe who are being invaded by Western ministers and religious tourists on a large scale do not know how to close their doors. Some are losing their spirituality because time is lacking for prayer and Bible study, which earlier had been their priority. And this has to be a concern. One genuine contribution Western ministries could make would be to help establish Christian counseling services for pastors as well as laity.
Even our language betrays us at times. I hear people say, "We are taking Jesus to Russia." Nobody is taking Jesus to Russia. Jesus has been there all the time. If a mission is taking Jesus to Russia, that is not the biblical Jesus--that is an idol! And that idol can very easily be kicked, dethroned, and replaced. In contrast, the Sovereign Lord in Eastern Europe, His Spirit moving where He wills, preceded the arrival of all missionaries. He has kept His Church. It has been purified and, in some ways, strengthened. My hope is that the West can not only assist but can benefit as the East European church tells its story of what it has learned through persecution and suffering.
East European Christian leaders also are concerned with a Western overemphasis on independence and individualism. This quintessentially American trait, it should be remembered, has not only its strengths, but its weaknesses. When U.S. Christians tell East Europeans, "Well, I am an independent," they immediately worry, "What is the problem? To whom are they accountable? Or is there something morally wrong? Why are they independent?"
The traditions of independence are not part of East European culture, church or secular. Instead, the sense of community needs to be strengthened and rebuilt in the sense of mutual accountability and the spirit of interdependence. This is biblical. For in the Body, we are all interdependent as we are dependent on the Lord Who is our Head. Practical implications in missiology include not giving to individuals, but rather to groups and institutions, not giving to presidents of organizations or pastors, but to organizations and churches with systems and treasurers. We already see some tragedies developing in Eastern Europe because of individual relationships which lack proper accountability and interdependence.
East Europeans are not used to telephones. Even people who have this convenience are not used to calling up those they will visit. Nor have Christians seen telefaxes until recently. Now it seems every pastor feels a telefax is a must--and a secretary who knows how to operate it. Likewise, written reports have not been a part of evangelical culture. In fellowships where communication has been primarily oral, written reports come hard. Give them some time and let's train them. Written communication and the improved accountability that it can aid will be helpful, but it will take time and Western patience.
Earlier versions of Forum reports by Peter Kuzmic, Anita Deyneka, and Serge Duss were given at a May, 1992, Chicago consultation sponsored by the National Association of Evangelicals, the Evangelical Fellowship of Mission Agencies, and the Institute for East-West Christian Studies. Full texts are available for $4 each from Dr. Billy Melvin, Executive Director, NAE, P.O. Box 28, Wheaton, IL 60189, Tel: (708) 665-0500, Fax: (708) 665-8575.
Peter Kuzmic is president of Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek, Croatia.
