Evangelicals in Central Europe

EVANGELICALS IN CENTRAL EUROPE
A case study from Slovakia
SEN Research Paper by Juraj Kusnierik

This is another research paper by SEN or Central European Missionary Fellowship and is consistent with their previous high standards of research and presentation.

It is essential reading for any with an interest in God's work in Slovakia. The author claims: 'Most of what we observed in Slovakia would not be very different in the case of her post-communist neighbours.' It should, therefore, provide a framework of understanding for evangelical life in the Czech Republic, Poland and the southern Slavic countries which the author states have similar backgrounds.

The stated purpose for the research was to answer a number of basic questions relating to the situation, needs, hopes, strengths, weaknesses and real potential of evangelical churches in Central Europe. This was done with a view to promote discussion to help the church progress and grow.

The method used was to talk with some 40 pastors from varying denominations and also to conduct more than 40 interviews, with the help of a group of students from the Mission Seminary (in Banska Bystrica), with the more general evangelical public. To this was added reading whatever evangelical publications could be found, as well as attending a number of church meetings and discussions.

The result is a fascinating 50 page (A4 size) printed and spirally bound paper - not a book in the strict sense of the word. It opens by tracing the historical development of Slovakia's 'fragmented history' and the roots of evangelicalism. It follows the journey of evangelical life from its beginnings in the 18th century on through to the present century including the Second World War and Communist era. En route, it incorporates evangelical attitudes and aspirations of the times, stopping to look at feelings regarding both personal and national history.

The attention is then turned to the present situation. 'Who are we (i.e. the evangelicals)?' Evangelical identity is introduced with a quote which I suspect could be equally valid in the UK: 'People often ask us: 'We know about Catholic and Protestant churches but what are evangelical denominations?' As soon as we tried to explain it to others, we discovered that we first have to make clear who we are and what our calling is to ourselves.' The report then adds that some 25% of those asked who belong to evangelical denominations did not know or did not understand just what the term meant. Moving on to present concerns such as 'Church as a minority', 'Subculture', 'Things we believe', 'Preaching', 'Worship styles' and many others, thought-provoking and probing questions are raised which we in the UK would do well to ponder over in order to face up to who we are as evangelicals and what we should be as a result of that.

Finally, it turns to the future, asking: 'Where are we going?' and suggests possible trends in seven areas of life of the evangelical community in Slovakia. These touch on spirituality and worship of God; theology; Christian community ('Evangelical churches should be more than weird religious groups with a strong 'minority complex'. They should be places of genuine concern for others, of deep relationships, of healthy freedom and space for personal growth.') and so on. Again we in the UK would do well to take a long, hard look at the mirror being held up before us in this study. It can take us beyond interest and curiosity in a European country to a searching reflection of what it means to be evangelical in Britain today. My recommendation - buy it, read it, ponder over it and act on it.

SEN research paper

Ken Morey

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