Letters to Nicolay Part 4

Dear Nicolay,

It has been a long time since I heard from you.  I know that spring is such a busy time in Ukraine.  I remember fondly driving through all of Ukraine and watching the people planting their gardens.  I would often say, “Ukraine is one big garden”.

In one of your last emails you asked if we in America also faced similar problems as you do in Ukraine.

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Nicolay, the answer is “yes”!  I first finished writing a rather long paper on the spiritual condition in America and Ukraine.  I will send it to you shortly

However, the summary is that both the evangelical churches in Ukraine and in the United States are stagnating or slightly declining.  The evangelical percentage had declined from 9.2% to 9.0% between 1990 and 2005.  And you are aware of the declines happening in Ukraine.

A renewal of church planting efforts has prevented a very significant decline here in America.

It is my fear that most renewal efforts such as the merging (healthy) church movement by younger evangelicals, the simple church movement, and denominational church planting efforts are all missing some very key ingredients.

Somehow we all (Ukraine and America) need to regain the foundational practices of making disciples, following the headship of Christ, having a priesthood of all believers, and having participatory gatherings if we are to reverse the downward trends.

People in both Ukraine and America are spiritual and are seekers.  However, they demand authenticity and want the church to be the church and not play church as we are apt to do.

As an example, I have a friend who has begun a number of simple churches.  Each church gives money to the organizing denomination and then 90% comes back to them, so they can spend it on missions or helping others.  I think that is both wonderful and authentic.  Our church bureaucracies are robbing the kingdom of its resources.

Nicolay, I need to close now.  Hope to hear from you soon.  My May trip to Ukraine was great.  I especially enjoyed meeting with the drug rehab directors.

Blessings,
Rich




Dear Rich,

Sorry I took so long to write to you.  You are right – it is a very busy time with visitors and I am preparing to visit friends in America to raise some money for our building project.  It has been three years since we broke ground and we see no end in sight.  It is really a very draining experience.

I will give some thought to your comments, but the question remains, “How do we do what you are talking about?”  What are the practical steps?  Please answer those questions!  We cannot live on theories!

Your brother in Christ,
Nicolay

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