Posted on 07/03/2007 11:38:53 AM PDT by Between the Lines
The International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention has targeted the former Soviet Union for a major initiative, including evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. The campaign, called "Hope 4 Russia," targets the largest land mass country in the world 13 years after the fall of communism there.
Teams of workers and volunteers have been placed throughout Russia in an effort to reach people in the former communist country. Ed Tarleton, the coordinator of the massive effort, says there are many challenges and rewards when it comes to ministering in the former Soviet Union -- especially with the current administration. But Russia is open to the gospel, he says.
"On one hand, the missionaries are more effective than they've ever been -- they know the language better, they know the people better, they know their neighbors better," says Tarleton. "On the other hand ... a lot of cynicism [has] crept in. Just people wondering about the West in general."
According to Tarleton, who himself is an IMB missionary living in Russia, there are major misconceptions about conducting mission work in Russia.
"Still the picture of a missionary, he lives in a village somewhere -- and that certainly is true," he says. "But in the former Soviet Union, these are people who have just as high level of educations as we have in America." Consequently, he adds, a variety of trained individuals are needed to serve. "We need urbanites, we need doctors, we need medically trained people, not to go and just do shots for somebody, not immunizations -- but [we need] trained people to go into an urban setting."
Tarleton adds that the political situation there also makes it tough for missionaries. For example, he says it is tough to get visas. Still, he says, missionaries in Russia have freedom to witness and work openly. Throughout the rest of this year, the IMB is focusing on the former Soviet Union for its major emphasis, which culminates in the annual Lottie Moon Christmas offering.
IMO, they would do far better to help strengthen the Russian Orthodox Church that is already there. This should help reduce the amount of suspicion coming from the people and from the government.
Godspeed, SBCers! Go get 'em!
And BTL, thanks for posting this!
If spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ is their main goal, that would be absolutelty correct.
Southern Baptists are not Russian Orthodox, are they? Would the Russian Orthodox Church support the ministry of the Southern Baptists in Texas?
Maybe a little competition amongst evangelistic churches will ultimately strengthen the entire body of Christ, eh?
Russians are Christians. They don’t need heretical churches. But Satan never stops, does he?
Are you saying that Southern Baptists are Satanic?
Because introducing a multitude of denominations all claiming to follow "What the Bible Says" has worked so well here in the West (especially in Europe). </sarc> No thanks, I'll pass.
In all seriousness, the culture in Russia is not suitable to plop down churches that are thoroughly American in character. The more I think about it, the less I think that it does any good for the other Apostolic churches (specifically the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church) to place any more other than for the flock that is already there. Because the Southern Baptists have no sense of nor respect for Holy Tradition, all that their introduction would bring is an increase of confusion. Sure, they would get some converts, but they'd also cause more converts to Atheism and Agnosticism and harden many who have already fallen away.
I'm with FormerLib and Kosta on this one. If they wanted to spread the Gospel there, they'd do it in a way that is consistent with the culture; i.e. through the existing Russian Orthodox Church.
And politicaly it is bad move.
Russians hold Ortxodoxy as national value, giving that Baptists are coming from West, it will make Russians believe that it is attack on their faith.
I doubt they realize that you needed any help in that area. Perhaps you should write a letter to the Russian Orthodox Patriarch outlining your needs?
Maybe you haven't heard about this, but the Russian Orthodox Church is still recovering from decades of brutal repression by the Communists.
As it was suggested before, if advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the main goal, they'd be willing to do so through the Churches which already exist.
Maybe a little competition amongst evangelistic churches will ultimately strengthen the entire body of Christ, eh?
That's a good argument for lower prices via WalMart, but Christ only has one Body.
Wrong, we deny the absolute primacy of his successors based upon what the Bible says.
Evangelicals can claim none of those things (save valid Baptism and Marriage).
In addition, please reread post 8... I admitted that in my opinion, any further introduction of Latin Rite Catholic Churches would at best be unhelpful.
P.S. to Orthodox posters... please correct me if I've misspoken.
The Russian Orthodox Church has been less than welcoming to Baptists in the past. Has their position changed?
Are they heretical in denying the primacy of Peter’s successors?
Try reading his answers to your questions so you won’t look quite so silly when you keep repeating yourself.
That's doubtful. It's not as if I'm promoting any of that Sola Sciptural nonsense.
I doubt it; however, offering help that is refused is a good hint to go and work on evangelization in America, which is quickly becoming mission territory itself.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.