Archive: Methodism After Marx

By Mark Elliott

“We are in between the collapse of communism and the return of a state church closely tied to the government.” —Yugoslavian Methodist pastor Kitan Petreski

All across East Central Europe longsuffering Methodist congregations have seen their elation over the demise of Marxism tempered by a daunting array of pressing problems: fear of discrimination from powerful Orthodox or Catholic churches, widespread, health-threatening pollution, an onslaught of Western materialism, rising unemployment and inflation. As if that is not enough, they must also deal with layers of internal strife that tear at the soul of the church and hinder its evangelistic outreach. For example:

Politics

Pastors disagree over the extent to which accommodation with former Marxist authorities was justified. Since the East European revolutions of 1989, new Methodist superintendents have been elected in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria. In the case of Bulgaria, the change in leadership clearly involved the removal of a politically compromised superintendent. Earlier in Hungary, dissident Methodists, displeased by the extent of their church’s cooperation with the state, formed the Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship. This second Wesleyan denomination finally received government recognition in 1981.

Pentecostalism

In some Central and East European countries traditional Pentecostalism has helped to invigorate Methodist churches. Likewise, in a number of countries relations between Methodists and Pentecostals have been tolerable. Some Polish Methodist pastors come from Pentecostal ranks and the new Methodist superintendent of Czechoslovakia is charismatic.

However, in Macedonia (Yugoslavia) and Bulgaria relations between Methodists and Pentecostals are tense at best, stemming in part from Methodist charges of Pentecostal sheep-stealing. As post-Marxist governments debate the return of seized assets, Methodist-Pentecostal property disputes can become intense. The property question is further complicated in Bulgaria by many years of Marxist government manipulation which perpetuated a compromised, non-Methodist “bishop” as head of the Methodist Church. To this day a struggle continues between Bulgarian Methodists and Pentecostals for control of a number of Methodist sanctuaries, including the historic Long Memorial Methodist Church in Sofia.

Furthermore, Central and East European Methodists of all persuasions are wary of “health and wealth” prosperity theology which teaches that all true Christians will be blessed with good incomes and good health. As improbable as poor, polluted Eastern Europe would appear to be for the growth of this Pentecostal aberration, these teachings are causing divisions in Methodist ranks from Czechoslovakia to Estonia.

Theological Pluralism

As with pluralistic Western Methodism, the churches of Central and Eastern Europe face conflict between liberal and evangelical theology. Interestingly enough, Methodists in Central and Eastern Europe are more likely to be evangelical than are Methodists in Britain or the United States. This becomes increasingly apparent as one travels farther from former East Germany, which has been heavily influenced by German higher criticism of the Bible. Ironically, evangelical strength endures partly because, since 1945, most Central and East European Methodist pastors have been unable to obtain formal theological training, a common route to church liberalization in the West.

Hopeful Signs

Despite these difficulties, one can take heart from the valiant efforts of many individuals determined not to be overwhelmed by dispute and division.

• In Poland there are plans to convert a building next door to a Methodist church into the first evangelical primary school in that heavily Catholic country.
• Retired superintendent Adam Kuczma and Pastor Jerzy Markovsky carry out evangelistic campaigns and ministries of mercy across the Soviet border in Western Ukraine.
• Pastor Daniel Zajic has seen his Methodist church in Pilsen grow from 5 to 300 within the last few years, making it the largest Methodist congregation in Czechoslovakia.

Some of the most encouraging and heart-warming work is being done among Gypsies. In Hungary both the Methodist Church and the Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship are involved.

Also, a Methodist congregation of some 50 Gypsies has been established in Shumen, Bulgaria, by Pastor Simeon Popov, a victim of Marxist imprisonment who died just this past year.

In another instance, after being rebuffed by Muslims and Orthodox, spiritually searching Gypsies approached Pastor Kitan Petreski while he was serving at the Prilep Methodist Church in Macedonia, Yugoslavia. These mistrusted social outcasts feared they would be asked to leave the sanctuary, but Petreski told them, “Your soul is the same as my soul.” “Of course, our church accepted them,” he said. Today, thirty to fifty Gypsies worship regularly in their own service in Prilep and one of their leaders with a grade school education has applied for the ministry. Gypsies also worship at the Skopje Methodist Church where Pastor Petreski now serves, and in Voivodina, Yugoslavia.

What is to be Done?

This question served as the title for Lenin’s 1902 call-to-arms blueprinting a successful Marxist revolution. Today, Western Christians can ask the same question as we seek to assist believers in the East in reaching millions of their neighbors who are disillusioned with Marxism.

Six verbs summarize the possibilities: pray, read, give, visit, write, and serve. Prayer is no afterthought to effective Christian action; it, rather, is the fountain out of which flows effective witness and service. It also is the spiritual tie that binds our hearts in Christian love even across oceans. Estonian Methodist Superintendent Olav Parnamets was once asked by a Western visitor what was the single most important contribution Western believers could make to his church. This thoughtful shepherd, whose 900-member church has fewer material resources than many UM Sunday school classes in the United States, answered firmly, “Pray for us so that we will not feel that we are alone.”

In order to pray and prepare effectively for any responsible giving and service in East Central Europe, we need to read, and read widely: its history, culture, politics, and of course, the torturous path of church-state relations. (See sidebar.)

Systematic prayer and reading in tandem certainly contribute to responsible giving. And financial support for Central and East European ministry is an activity concerned Methodists should seriously consider. Wheaton’s East-West Institute has published an East European Missions Directory, listing literally hundreds of relevant para-church ministries. Perhaps even more important than the names and addresses is the directory’s introduction which details guidelines for judging organizational integrity and accountability. A recommended ministry with a heart for Central and East European Methodism is the Francis Asbury Society (PO Box 7, Wilmore, KY 40390). Also, expanding opportunities for direct giving to specific Central and East European Methodist Church needs may be pursued through annual listings of United Methodist Advanced Specials (available from the General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Church, 475 Riverside Dr., New York, NY 10115).

Firsthand visits for fellowship and fact finding provide an important means of encouragement for Central and East European Methodists. If not easy by Western standards, travel in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe certainly is easier today than just a few years ago. Border searches and confiscations, once common, now rarely occur. Christian literature, Sunday school audio-visuals, non-perishable food, and all manner of consumer goods make greatly appreciated gifts. At the same time, care must be taken that Western contributions do not foster dependency, so as not to humiliate recipients, and do not foster maverick “kingdoms” which undermine church leaders. Our attitude must be that we have at least as much to learn from Methodists who outlived Marxism as we have to give them.

United Methodists from the West with a heart for evangelism can also help Central and East European Methodists overcome a siege-mentality produced by decades of state hostility. Take note for example, of the spiritual outreach of attorney Joe Holland founder of Methodists in Mission to the Soviet Union, who has helped a tiny, remote Methodist congregation in Syktyvkar, capital of the Russian Republic’s Komi Autonomous Republic, launch a bold witness to representatives of the regional government, university leaders, and prison inmates.

Just as path-breaking has been the evangelistic efforts of Broadmoor United Methodist Church, (3715 Youree Dr., Shreveport, Louisiana 71105). Through visits to and from the Soviet Union, Pastor Dwight Ramsey and his congregation have been God’s human instruments in many conversions and in the establishment of a Methodist congregation in Sverdlovsk in the Russian Republic’s Ural Mountains. Pastors and laypeople with a vision for Central and Eastern Europe might write Joe Holland or Dwight Ramsey or they might invite them or other knowledgeable persons to speak in their churches.

Writing can be a valuable adjunct to person-to-person and church-to-church visits, but this outreach is more difficult to make meaningful apart from an opportunity for direct acquaintance. One exception is the possibility of becoming a pen pal with an East European English language student, either to encourage a believer or to share one’s faith with a nonbeliever.

Western Impact: For Good Or Ill?

A Jewish story from Yugoslavia tells of four angels who witnessed creation. The first angel observed God’s handiwork in awe and said, “Lord, your creation is beautiful! How did you do it?” The world view of a scientist. The second angel observed in awe and said, “Lord, your creation is beautiful! Why did you do it?” The world view of a philosopher. The third angel observed in awe and said, “Lord, your creation is beautiful! Can I have it?” The world view of a materialist. Finally, the fourth angel observed in awe and said, “Lord, your creation is beautiful! Can I help? The world view of God’s faithful.

Central and East European Methodists, who endured much at the hands of hostile Marxist regimes, now face in the era of glasnost an onslaught of Western “angels.” It is by no means certain which angels will prevail, those of mammon or those of the King of Kings.

Estonian Superintendent Parnamets was asked by a western reporter, “Is it easier to be a Christian in the West or in the Soviet Union?” After a studied pause, Parnamets replied that it was hard to judge. While Christians in the Soviet Union faced more outright persecution, Christians in the West faced more temptations. One has to wonder whether persecution or temptation is more of a threat to vital piety. Methodism in Central and Eastern Europe has outlived Marxism. Whether it will survive the questionable western influence of TV’s “Dallas,” health and wealth theology, and Playboy, remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, however, their survival depends in part upon the faithfulness of Wesley’s followers in the West.

Mark Elliott, a United Methodist, is professor of history and director of the Institute for East-West Christian Studies at Wheaton College. In 1991 he served with Rom Maczka as co-editor for Christian/Marxist Studies in United States Higher Education: A Handbook of Syllabi.

 

Resources To Stay Informed

Wheaton College’s Institute for East-West Christian Studies (Wheaton, IL 60187-5593) has produced a helpful guide to reading: Christianity and Marxism Worldwide: An Annotated Bibliography. Its recommendations should be supplemented by four titles released since this work was published: Kent Hill’s The Soviet Union on the Brink: An Inside Look at Christianity and Glasnost, 2nd ed., Multnomah; Michael Bourdeaux’s The Gospel’s Triumph Over Communism, Bethany House; Philip Walters’ World Christianity: Eastern Europe, MARC; and Bud Bultman’s Revolution by Candlelight, Multnomah.

Since no book can presently stay abreast of rapidly changing conditions in Central and Eastern Europe several serials are essential for keeping current on church developments: News Network International (in place of the now defunct Keston News Service, which will be sorely missed); Religion, State and Society: The Keston Journal (formerly Religion in Communist Lands); and Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe’s Report on the USSR and Report on Eastern Europe.

On Methodism, important background reading is the late Robert Wilson’s Biases and Blind Spots: Methodism and Foreign Policy Since World War II, Bristol House, Ltd., and the Asbury Theological Journal (Spring 1991): 5-47. Serials to glean include: The United Methodist Record/Reporter; the World Methodist Council’s World Parish; and the Ed Robb Evangelistic Association’s Challenge to Evangelism Today. —ME