11110 New Series Vol. XLll No. 2 • Whole Series Vol. LXXI No. 9 • October 1981 3 Mission Memo 7 Editorials 8 Vitality and Apathy in Europe Today Charles E. Brewster 11 Orthodoxy's "Candlelight Kingdom" Carnegie Samuel Calian 15 "Do Not Forget We Are Here"-Methodism in East Germany Margaret Schiffert El 19 The GDR-Churches in a Socialist Diaspora at 22 The UMC in Norway-ls There a Future? Stein Skjorshammer st 24 Poster-Study Resources on Europe it 26 World Mission and Norwegian Methodism Juel Nordby de 28 The People of God in Estonia H. Eddie Fox cc 31 Ulster's Children-Fact and Fiction Charles Reynolds tc 34 Keeping the Lines Open in Switzerland Margaret Schiffert 38 Special Report: An International Church Team in Black Australia tc Jan Mayman a· 41 Viewpoint Ralph E. Dodge Sj 42 Books oj 43 Letters i1 44 The Moving Finger Writes of Sa COVER fo na Methodist Church, Erfurt, German Democratic Republic (13th Century Church, oldest in the world in use by a Methodist congregation) Margaret M. Schiffert Photograph

Editor, Arthur J. Moore; Managing Editor, Charles E. Brewster Art Director, Roger C. Sadler; Administrative Assistant, Florence J. Mitchell oc ve 475 Riverside Drive, New York, New York 10115 th Published Monthly (bimonthly, July-August) by the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, Education and Cultivation Division. (ISSN-0048-8812) it th Second-class Mail Privileges Authorized at New York, N.Y. Additional Entry at Nashville, Tennessee. ne Copyright 1981 by General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. No part of New th World Outlook may be reproduced in any form without written permission from Editors. Printed in U.S.A. Of ti Subscriptions in the United States and Possessions: One year $7 .00 (combination with response, $13.00). Single copies 75 cents. All foreign countries: One year $8.00 (combination $15.00). co me Report any change of address directly to New World Outlook rather than to the Post Office. With your new address be sure to send also the old address, enclosing if possible an address label from a recent copy. A request for change of address must reach us at least thirty days before the date of issue with which it is to Ko take effect. sc New World Outlook editorials and unsigned articles reflect the views of the editors and signed articles the ag views of the authors only. Pe Mo PHOTO CREDITS Pp. 8, 10, 14, 41 , RNS ; Pp. 11 , 13, 19, 20, 21 , 38, 39, 40, World Council of Churches; Pp. 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, in 34, 35, 36, 37, Margaret Schiffert; Pp. 28, 29, 30, H. Edd ie Fox; P. 31, Presbyterian Press ; P. 32, Belfast Telegraph; P. 33, Charles Reynolds. MISSION MEMO News and Analysis of Developments in Christian Mission

October, 1981

El Salvador. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, about 300,000 people have abandoned El Salvador in the past year because of civil strife. Displaced persons within the country number perhaps 200,000 . These include peasants who have fled their homes to stay with relatives or in indepen­ dent refugee shelters or who may be roaming the mountains , refugees who have come to the city from rural areas, and governmen t -protected refugees. According to Church World Service, some humanitarian agencies have provided assistance only to this last group, whereas others have chosen "at great risk" to target their aid to the majority of internal refugees who cannot be reached through channels sympathetic to the government. Since June, 1980 CWS has raised $440,461 on behalf of Salvadorean refugees (with UMCOR being a major contributor). Of this amount $123,032 has been transferred to the World Council of Churches to support the work of ASESAH in El Salvador, and another $43,511 has been provided to the WCC for Salvadorean refugees outside their country. CWS is now appealing for $1 million for El Salvadorean refugees both inside the country and in other Central America n nations.

South African Invasion. The executive ·committee of the National Counc i l of Churches unanimously adopted a resolution September 11 which condemned South Africa ' s II "military invasion of the People's Republ ic of Angola" and its "continued illegal occupation of Namibia." The committee also said it "condemns " the U.S. government ' s I veto of a United Nations Security Council Resolution on the invasion. "We believe this action implies support of Apartheid and represents a tilt toward South Africa ," it said. The corrmittee again called on the U.S. to recognize the Government of the Peoples Republic of Angola and that "the people of Namibia should be gi ven necessary assistance in preparation for t r ue independence." ... In another action the executive committee sent a letter of greeting and concern to Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt (see editorials), whose official recogni- tion by the Egyptian government was revoked by President Sada t . A five-member committee of bishops was appointed to act as intermediaries between the govern- ment and Pope Shenouda, who has moved to a desert monastery.

Korea. Rev. Moon Ik-whan, 63-year-old Korean poet and Korea's senior Old Testament scholar and biblical translator, began a hunger fast in mid August in protest against the continued incarceration of political prisoners in his country, es­ pecially Kim Dae Jung. The Presbyterian scholar, who is also known as Rev . Timothy Moon, was jailed on the night of Chun Doo-hwan's coup on May 17, 1980 and has bee n in solitary confinement since; his sentence was originally 15 years but has been reduced to 10 by presidential decree. Peggy Bi l lings, head of Christian Social Relati ons for the UM Women's Di vision, said she was "deeply distressed" at Per~ Mr. Mo on' s dec ision, "His wi llingness t o risk his health and possibly his life ieS1 is an indication of the hardening of the government's attitude toward political Di vi pri soners. It seems to ref l ect the Chun government's assessment that there will Chur be no pressure from the Reagan administration on human rights. 11 the a u~ is n Deaths . Canon Robert f. . ~. Powell, an Episcopal priest and Africa committee Ban a director of the Nat ional Council of Churches, died September 6 of a heart attack feat du r ing servi ces i n New York's Riverside Church. He was 42 . . .. The Rev. James C. Wes 1 Si mms, pastor of First UMC in Collinsville, Ill., and a former staff member of the as so Nat ional Division of GBGM, died of injuries received when the roof of a garage he Inte was helping hi s son to dismantle collapsed. He was 54 .... Mrs. Esther Schlapper, of 0 a retired deaconess with 16 years of active service, died August 21 in Asheville, posi North Carolina ... . Mrs. Doris Cook, wife of Dr. Bernard L. Cook, office of Church nomi Extension of the National Division, died August 22 in Kearney, Nebraska after a the long i l lness .... Miss Blanche A. Yeager, a retired deaconess with 39 years of head active service, died August 10 in Bradenton, Florida .... Richard T. Baker, Columbia Cost University journalism professor and former associate editor of this magazine, died September 3 at the age of 68 (see editorials) . .. . Miss Betty Jean Heim, a retired home missionary with 22 years of active service, died August 28 in Albuquerque, Worl New Mex ico. She was the first child born in the old hospital at Red Bird Mission. Repu issu bomb Mozambique. Rev. and Mrs . Alf Helgesson and son Stephen, who recently returned ment to Mozambique, are going to Ricatla seminary, 24 kilometers north of the capital nucl city of Maputo. He has begun teaching New Testament and Ethics at the Interde­ la ti nominational school. city II, rate Tuition Tax Credits. The U.S. Catholic Conference, with headquarters in Washington, loya D.C., has organized a massive letter-writing campaign urging legislators to support suf f, tax credit for tuition paid for private and parochial schools, especially the so­ di vi called Packwood-Moynihan bill. (NWO has editorially opposed the idea, Jan. 1 81 11 in editorials). The U.S. Catholic Conference will enter a "highly visible phase" thre in its campaign to urge parents, teachers and others to write their legislators. the President Reagan has pledged his support for tuition tax credit legislation but we did not include it in his first tax bill. time on t neg a Church Women United? Just a little over a year after Nan Cox became the new general the director of Church Women United in a turbulent restructure that terminated 18 staff are · positions, she herself has left the organization. The new interim general director, and Dorothy f.. Wag ner, has been a CWU staffer since 1974 and like Mrs. Cox is a United Presbyterian. She is administrative secretary to the International Committee for World Day of Prayer and i s a .former missionary to China. A press release from CWU ~I on the change-over described Ms. Wagner's background in detail but mentioned only Coun that Mrs. Cox has "completed her services" on August 31. The national president jour of CWU is Dr. Thelma Adair, who is also a United Presbyterian .. . . The new editor The of Church Woman for CWU i s Margaret Schiffert, who has two articleson Europe in to t thi s issue of NWO and at one time was a support staffer in the former Ecumenical 11 1ic and Interreligious Concerns Division. Three other new staff members have also been Of i hi red . Nat; Personalia. William B. Rollins, a staff administrator of the Pacific and South- west Conference, is now executive secretary for Voluntary Services in the National Division of GBGM .... Herman Will, former long-time staff member of the Board of Church and Society, is now editor of a book on the history of the peace witness of the UMC. The project is funded by a $40,000 grant from the GCOM .... Morris !:_. Floyd, a UM minister and former staffer in the Agency Concerns unit of the National Division, is now executive director of Gay Community Services, Inc., in Minneapolis .... Canaan Banana, a British Methodist minister and the President of Zimbabwe, will be the featured speaker at the fall meeting of the GCOM in Minneapolis. He was trained at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C ..... Rev. Robert .b_. Turnipseed, an associate general secretary of the UM General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, has been elected Secretary for Southern Asia of the Division of Overseas Ministries of the National Council of Churches. He will assume his new position in November .... The Search Committee of the National Division of GBGM will nominate Rev. Rene 0. Bideaux for election as the Associate General Secretary of the Division. The Division will elect at its October meeting. Mr. Bideaux, head of the Hinton Rural Life Center in North Carolina, is a former missionary in Costa Rica, former Board member and a former district superintendent.

World Council of Churches. At its meeting in August in Dresden, German Democratic Republic, the governing Central Committee of the World Council of Churches has issued a statement on threats to peace which, among other things, calls the neutron bomb the most recent and obvious example of "new dehumanizing weapons". The state­ ment appealed to political leaders to pursue disarmament negotiations, respect nuclear-free zones in countries which create them, and create a "more just re­ lationship" between industrialized and developing countries. The meeting in the city of Dresden, whose name became synonymous for 11 fire-bombing 11 during World War II, prompted Committee members from Britain, the U.S., and Canada to issue a sepa­ rate statement acknowledging "with deep sadness" that countries "of which we are loyal citizens were responsible for the bombing of this city and the death and suffering of its people. 11 Noting that the wee meeting was held "just across the dividing line" between the NATO and Warsaw Pact powers, the statement noted that "in this context the firestorm of Dresden is a warning of the judgment which 11 threatens the whole world. ••• In other action, the WCC Central Committee affirmed the principle of equal participation of women and men as 11 a goal towards which we move" and said that the Sixth Assembly, in mid-1983 in Vancouver, would be the time to start to implement this principle. The Orthodox abstained from voting on the resolution. The recommendation was approved overwhelmingly, with a few negative votes .... The Committee received the Salvation Army's departure from the WCC (see Moving Finger Writes) with "deep regret". Three new WCC members are the Presbyterian Church of southern Africa, the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda, and the Presbyterian Church of Mozambique.

New World Information Order. The News and Information Committee of the National Council of Churches has expressed its opposition to proposals for licensing journalists that have surfaced during discussions of a new world information order. The committee supported the goal of giving full opportunity to people everywhere to tell their own story to their own community and to the world, but said that "licensing journalists is not an appropriate solution to the perceived problem of imbalanced or insensitive news coverage of non-Western societies." The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) last October proposed sweeping changes in t he i nternational communications industry, including issuing special identity cards to jou rnalists. In the view of Western news organizations, the advocates of a New World Information Order want not only a TH E more balanced flow of new s and informatio n but also want to legitimize government GAi control of the news and t heir own hab i t of expelling Western journalists and Fo banning publications that offend those i n power . The NCC News and Information avar Committee said "news repor ted by state-licensed journalists will be perceived as a dir less reliabl e, less believable than news reported by journalists not bound to a that licensing age nt. For news to serve the right of people around the world to know depe as much as po ssibl e about their environment, it must remain unfettered." natio evan1 may ident Tele- preachers . Dr. John Kill i nger, a Presbyterian author whose devotional books trad it on the gospel s an d books on preaching have reached a wide audience, has accused In t el evisi on evang el ists of teaching a damaging, demeaning, heretical, "unbelievably from self- indul ge nt " bog us public religion to viewers. He declared these views in a cop·C sermon at Fi rst Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg, Va., which also happens to be th e g t he home of the Rev. Jer ry Falwell. Killinger didn't mention Falwell, or any orga other preacher, by na me, but according to reports left no doubt in anyone's mind man whom he was criticizing. Calling the TV preachers "shallow and ahistorical" he ing ar sa id t hey are "l i ke waterbugs skating on the surface of the pond, with little or missic 11 Spirit no ac qu aintance i n the ecclesiastical or theological depths . Nevertheless, he am on added, "they are as clever as used-car salesmen . .. " The electronic church is a Thi "patheti c pi cture of the state of American Christianity .... " His stinging criti­ until ci sm al so de l ved into their constant pi tches fo r large amounts of money to run tiani~ t heir broad cas t mi nistr ies. "The field of television evangelism is a high­ Haro/ pressure busi ness. It is an insatiable monster demanding ever greater offerings cred e~ of time, money and ballyhoo. The ratings ga~e . ... operates as viciously among ble, H t he evangel ists as i t does among the soap operas." Falwell's only comment in the u reaction was "I am sorry that a brother in Christ would take the time to criticize "The ano ther brother . i n Christ." ingS have grou p provio Lutherans. Two t hirps of the nation ' s Luthe rans will unite in a single church indica by 1987 or 1988 i f a tentative timetable is realized. The new denomination would sendi bring together t he Lut heran Church in Ame r ica, the American Lutheran Church, and seas. t he Assoc iat ion of Evangelical Lutheran churches into a 5.5 million-member Church. retreat The 2. 8 million-member Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and the 400,000 member But Wi sc onsi n Evangel i ca l Lutheran Synod are not involved in the union negotiations. there An opini on po l l of delegates of the three uniting bodies showed 6 to 1 in favor evang of the merger idea . caree termer sonne rea/isti Municipal i t ies and Powers. Mrs . Joann Denton, of Morganton, North Carolina, a churc ~ se l f-procl ai med "witch " who was charged in 1976 with violating a state law pro­ missio hibiting t he pract i ce of fortune-telling, clairvoyance and phrenology has filed hundr as a candi da t e fo r mayor of Morganton. The charges were later dropped. Mrs. Denton two c has also t r i ed un suc ce ssfully to get her "Gray Shadows Spiritualistic Church" billion decl ared tax-exempt . She once had her own funeral conducted -- while she was The ali ve . Wou/ Unit~ ende Plant churc With t EDITORIALStJJ RICHARD T. BAKER THE MISSIONARY NUMBERS GAME For ye r w hav b n aying th t for a vari ety of r a on , Am ri an w ill pl y a dimini hing rol in world mi ion , th at Ameri n m1 ion ag n i mu t depend more and mor on ov r a nation I to do th ba i work of evangeli zation, and th at a diffi ult a it may b we mu t lea rn to upp rt nd identify with them a w h v with traditional Ameri an mi ss ionari . In res pon e, what w hav h rd from thos who di agree is th at thi cop-out, th at we hav lo t our n the go pel, th at on rvativ mi organi zations ar ending twi a many mi ss ionari es and not n ount r­ ing any problem , and th at th m inlin mission organi zation should at h th Spirit th at is now obviou ly at work among the cons rvatives. This argument was getting nowh r until the Septemb r 18 i ue of Chris­ tianity Today ca me to us. In it Dr. Harold Lind se ll , whose ons rvative credential are it seems to us impe a­ ble, has an article on thi ubje t with MISSTEP BY SADAT the unfortunately misleading titl of " The Major Denominations are Jump­ ing Ship." Th e title is what many criti s have been saying of mainline mi ss ion groups and , indeed, Dr. Lind ell do s provide many of th e stati sti cs whi h indicate the mainlirie churches are sending fewer ca ree r miss ionari s ov r­ sea s. All of thi s is ca ll ed a " mi ss ionary retreat. " But then what does he go on from there to tell us? Th at actu ally th evangeli ca ls have not increased their caree r perso nnel th at mu h- short termers a count for much of th p r­ sonnel growth in the past d ade. How reali sti c, he as ks, is it to ex p t U.S. churches to come up with 200,000 mi ss ionari es by the yea r 20007 On hundred thousa nd coupl es, each with two children, would cost about $2 .8 billion. Thi s line so unds fa mil ia r. Th ere's more. "Stati sti ally, one would not be fa r wrong to gu ss th at the United States has a shrinking rol in th is end ea vor . .. . Chur hes hav b n pl anted aro und th e globe. Th s churches mu st reac h their own peopl s with the good news." National evange lists, Lind se ll ontin- \JITALITV AND APATH

One irony stands out in any study of Church of Christ, surveyed religious This includes Muslims as well as Christian mission in Europe today. freedom around the world and listed Christians of all groups. Evangelical Bu There is religious vitality of unusual the ten most oppressive and ten most churches, such as Pentecostals and tion , strength in some places where one free countries. Albania led the list of Baptists, are known to be growing very mag< might expect faith to be wiped out. most oppressive, followed by North fast and developing a network of a nu There is apathy in many places with Korea , Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan , communication. tions the greatest amount of religious free­ China, the Soviet Union, Czechoslo­ After a period of relative quiet, the tries dom. vakia, Iran, South Korea, and South Soviet Union last year put a number of exacl Western visitors report attending Africa. The most free were the Scan­ Christian clergymen and laymen on levell packed church services in Tallinn, dinavian countries, Switzerland, Unit­ trial for " anti-Soviet agitation and La! Estonia; Warsaw, Poland ; and Mo­ ed Kingdom, U . S. and Canada, propaganda." The trials and the sen­ Swi ll scow, USSR. Meanwhile, churches in France and the Benelux countries, tences prompted international atten­ a loc Oslo, Norway, or Geneva, Switzer­ West Germany, Japan, Austria, Italy, tion, including a statement from the Prote land, hobble along with minimal and Mexico. World Council of Churches. city. attendance. A.O. used a number of criteria to Throughout Christian history out­ fam il Church attendance is only one establish freedom . Those included right oppression or at least restriction peop barometer of vitality, and perhaps not freedom to assemble for public wor­ of believers has often had the opposite The the most important one, but it is not ship, freedom to proselytize, freedom effect of that intended. A lesson often proac insignificant. There are also obvious to hold property for religious use, learned and often forgotten in Europe­ inion exceptions, including some strong freedom to' collect, hold and remit an history is that the blood of the wi ntE Christian youth movements and peace mission monies, freedom to travel on martyrs becomes the seed of the havir movements in western Europe. religious business, freedom to observe church. In 1978 when Karol Wojtyla be­ religious holidays, etc. Some came the first non-Italian Pope in more It is not hard to see why Albania led Lord than 400 years the response among the list of most oppressive. In 1976 the Italy's Catholic population was gen­ tiny Communist country declared it­ erally: Why not? The Poles are better self "the world's first officially atheist believers than we are anyway. state." Al I of the nation's 2000 Indeed, since the subsequent visit of mosques and churches have either Pope John Paul II to his native Poland, been pulled down or turned into and the increased international atten­ offices, restaurants and warehouses. A tion on what is happening in that few are kept as "historical museums." country, it has become evident that the Recently, a new wave of arrests has Poles in fact are more ardent in their been aimed at underground believers Catholicism than the Italians, not to and at people who possess Bibles or mention many other European nations Korans (about 65 percent of Albania is as well. Muslim, 20 percent Orthodox, and Christianity is experiencing unex­ about 13 percent Roman Catholic). pected strength and renewal in some Last year a Catholic bishop was of the countries which officially have preparing to celebrate Easter mass in a been most opposed to the faith. British prison camp in which he was a author Malcolm Muggeridge calls prisoner. Guards stomped into the this-with perhaps a little journalistic barracks, tore the vestments off the hyperbole-"the most extraordinary bishop, and led him away in hand­ single fact of the twentieth century." cuffs. He was reportedly beaten and The renewal is occurring in countries died the next day. that have been most drastically sub­ Another European country in A.O.' s jected to the oppression and brain­ most oppressive list is the Soviet washing "of the first overtly atheistic Union. There are no accurate statistics and materialistic regime to exist on on religious participation in the USSR earth," he says . but some estimates have put the figure Last April the editors of A.O. maga­ of all believers participating in reli­ zine, a publication of the United gious I ife to some extent in the Presbyterian Church and the United neighborhood of 100 to 120 million.

8 [392] New World Outlook• October 1981 E:UROPE: TODAY CHARLES E:. BRE:WSTE:R

The "Most Free" Countries The spi rit was warm and alive, but fourteen European Student Christian But what about the opposite situa­ there weren't many people for the size movements held a conference in the tion, that of religious freedom? A.O. of the parish served . German Democratic Republic (East magazine's list of " most free" includes No si ngle reason w ill account for Germany) in which they talked about a number of western European na­ indifference. Greater freedom brings a theology in the context of an atheistic tions, such as the Scandinavian coun­ larger number of options of what to do Europe. According to the Ecumenical tries and Switzerland, which are not with one's time. Timeless truths and Press Service, the students decided exactly known these days for high issues of ultimate meaning are harder that atheism is actually as preva lent in levels of church participation. to raise in an " epicurean" environ­ countries with liaison between church Last year when I was in Geneva, ment where personal enjoyment and and state, such as Norway and Spain, Switzerland, I worshipped regularly at pleasures are easily attained. With no as in countries with formal atheism. a local Reformed Church, the only outside threat, there is less need to The complex relationship between Protestant church in that section of the seek the community of a church life. church and state in many western city. In an area of perhaps 4000 Europe has had such a long histo ry of European countries has long been the families no more than fifty or sixty religious conflicts that many people subject of serious debate in Europe. In people came to church on Sunday. don't want to be involved . A certain the nineteenth century the Danish The pastors tried numerous ap­ amount of " anti-clericalism" still philosopher Soren Kierkegaard railed proaches, such as meeting in an exists in western European countries, a against the smugness he found in the informal setting in the basement in the protest against real or perceived clergy Christendom of Denmark. People felt winter (to save heat expenses) and privileges. they were Christians simply by being having the congregation sit in a circle. Earl y last February 47 members of good Danes, whereas, he said, what

Some of the more than 400,000 Polish workers who gathered in Piekary, Poland, recently are shown as they marched to "thank the lord for work-free Sundays." The concession was recently negotiated between Solidarity and the Polish government. The whole area of church finances is linked to this complex church-state relationship. In West Germany a citizen actually has to go to court to stop the government from assigning a portion of his taxes to the Church. This system does give the Church a lot of money for many mission programs. Continuing church-state tensions in Europe have The comp I icated church-state pat­ ranged from executions tern in many western European coun­ (right, the burning of tries has perhaps been one factor in the Latimer and Ridley in rise of so-called para-church Christian 16th Century England) organizations, such as the Taize to restrictions on Council of Youth . When I first visited church activity (below, the tiny village of Taize in south the Berlin wall). eastern France in 1962 I had no trouble finding a place to stay and becoming a " retreatant" for several days with the Taize community of faith, a Protestant order emphasizing ecumenical coop­ eration . In recent years , however, success has overwhelmed the tiny village and as many as 30,000 young people have met for Christian festivals, camping on the fields around the community. Churches in western Europe have also become the focus of movements emphasizing peace issues and nuclear disarmament. Some young people are turning to the churches as the only institution they see ready to deal with these issues. At the student conference last Febru­ ary in the German Democratic Re­ public, the students said that speaking of God means recognizing a " power struggl"e'' between his life-giving Spirit and the "false gods" of technical-sci­ entific progress, increased production and greater consumption. It also means speaking, they said, "of the was needed was a " leap of faith:" "civil" occasion, thus blurring the risen Christ in the political and person­ Ch ristian ity and Danish civilization distinction between being a Christian al crises in which students in Europe were not one and the same thing. and being a citizen of the nation. find themselves today." Kierkegaard was followed by other Karl Barth 's feelings on this subject Finally, it shou Id be noted that the European thinkers who have wanted a were so strong that even though he was churches of Europe have a unique clearer line between commitment to a theologian in the Reformed, or forum in the Conference of European Christ and allegiance to the nation. Presbyterian, tradition he was an Churches, known as CEC. This organi­ These included such giants as Karl outspoken critic of infant baptism. zation bring together churches from Barth , the originator of the anti-Nazi Professor Jurgen Moltmann continues both sides of the "iron curtain", from Barmen Declaration in 1934, Dutch this criticism when he asserts that "the the Atlantic to the Urals, to discuss missions theologian Henrik Kraemer, baptism of children is the foundation important common issues of the conti­ TH the German martyr-theologian Die­ stone of the state churches in Europe" nent. In the process, churches from the inEu trich Bonhoeffer, who was a founder of and there " is no possibility of creating free countries which must fight against lions the Confessing Church in Germany, a voluntary, confessing, independent apathy learn something of discipleship gestsJ and the contemporary German theolo­ community out of institutional from those which must fight powerful has ~ gian Jurgen Moltmann, and many churches to which people belong state governments. And churches from histo others . simply on the basis of having been totalitarian societies learn of the differ­ In One area of important concern baptized as children." ent demands of discipleship in the Ort he which these thinkers be lieve deter­ This is an issue which means midst of indifference and consumer­ isreg mines how the Church thinks of itself is something quite different in the con­ ism in western countries. rna n1 the practice of infant baptism. For text of Europe's state churches than in For all these churches on this one dox. some Christians, the widespread the tradition, say, of the United States. smal I continent share in one way or !we practice of baptizing infants of non­ But how European churches deal with another in the mission of Him who th isH practicing parents transforms a uni­ it will nonetheless contain important came that we might know the Truth, In R quely Christian sacrament into a lessons for us. and that the Truth would set us free . • IVor 10 (394) New World Outlook • October 1981 Russian O rthodox monastery at Zagorsk. Orthodox.Y's "Candletight Kingdom" Carnegie Samuel Calion

The presence of Eastern Orthodoxy mutual support and respect. Both church. When I asked my host if there in Europe, with its Byzantine founda­ parties promote Romanian national- was any dialogue between Marxists tions from Constantinople, today sug­ ism. The Communist government and Christians in Bulgaria, the answer gests that this branch of Christendom gives a stipend toward clergy salaries was negative. There is an unspoken has traveled some distance from that as well as monies for church restora- truce that co-existence between the historic city. tion. In Bucharest alone, there are church and state is possible; dialogue, In Eastern Europe, the Romanian more than 200 churches holding however, is out of the question . The Orthodox Church, a national church, services in a city of over 2,000,000 striving for Marxist-Christian dialogue is regarded by many as one of the best inhabitants. among many in Europe today takes managed churches among the Ortho­ In Bulgaria, the prevailing popula- place primarily among Protestant and dox. The majority of Romanians, tion is also Orthodox, like Romania. Catholic groups, with only limited twenty plus million, are adherents to When I visited the Theological Acade- involvement by Orthodox church this Byzantine tradition of Christianity. my in Sophia, the picture of Lenin was leaders. In Romania, church and state have displayed in the faculty conference In Yugoslavia, the Serbian Ortho- worked out a harmonious accord of room along with the patriarchs of their dox claim the allegiance of nearly all

New World Outlook • October 1981 [395) 11 Serbians. It is a vigorous church, and worship have precedent over doctrine like most Orthodox churches mai n­ and disc ipline in the fellowship of th e tains stro ng national fee lings and Christian community. Emphasis on '' interests of the peopl e in its ra nks. worship is most evident in th e Eastern The liturgical Greece is another cou ntry that is tradition. To know Orthodoxy, the nearly al I Orthodox, even to the poi nt Westerner must enter into the cosmic worship of of intolerance fo r the small Protesta nt strangeness of her sanctuary. Herein is and Ca tho l ic m i no rit ies pres ent. preserved the life and thought, as well Orthodox.Y Greece is the oldest of th e Byza ntine as the spirit and will, of Orthodox Orthodox coun tries and was res ponsi­ believers through the centuries . aspires to fulfill a ble for missions throughout the Soviet One of my ow n Orthodox obser­ vision of Heaven Union and the Balka ns. vances of Ea ster was an unforgettable In Sca ndinavia, Finland's largest experience. As early as ten o'clock on on earth. official church is Lutheran, while the Saturday evening, a large crowd had Finn ish Orthodox Church claiming gathered in St. Sergius Russian Ortho­ one percent of the popu lation, is dox Church, a former German Luther­ recogn ized as the sm allest official an Church sold to Russ ian immigrants '' church of th e land. Accord ing to w ho flocked to Paris following the until Sunday afternoon when a sec­ Finnish law, the Orthodox, next to the Russian revolution. Almost all were ond, but shorter, worship service was Lutheran s, have the right to claim standing as is the practice in traditional held at the Orthodox cemetery at official status . There are smaller pock­ Orthodox services (though seats are Sainte-Genevieve-des-Bois outside of ets of Orthodox churches in Czecho­ provided in most Orthodox churches Paris. The afternoon service stressed slovakia and Poland , as well as in America) and a fabricated tomb of the joy of Christ's resurrection for institutions and centers of Orthodoxy Jesus , draped in black and decked with deceased loved ones . The service took in major Western European cities such flowers, was in the center of the place in a picturesque chapel on the as London, Pari s, and Geneva. Rus­ church's interior. The atmosphere was grounds, with the liturgy chanted and si an immigrants in France have in the subdued with anticipation as the choir sung in a spirited and joyful manner. last tw o decades establ is hed the sang softl y in the background and brief The priest ended the service by leading Fren ch Orthodox Church, where a prayers were given by the priests. the congregation out of the chapel, his liturgy in French is encouraged . Using Gradually, as midnight approached, incense burner in hand. He was the native language of the land has the music and prayers quickened their followed by two young persons carry­ been a long established tradition of pace; then in that weighty moment ing banners of the church, a distin­ Orthodoxy. However, the majority of following midnight, the bishop ap­ guished layman of the congregation Ort hodo x churche s scattered peared from behind the iconostasis carrying the Easter cake with a single throughout the Western European (the screen of icons), holding a candle, candle in the center, several individu­ countries, such as the German Demo­ and announced to all , " Christos als carrying icons of Christ, and the cratic Repub lic, West Germany, Swit­ Voskres" ("Christ is risen! "). " Vois­ chapel choir. zerland, the Netherland s, etc., tend to tinno Voskres" ("He is risen indeed!"), Singing along the way, the priest use the mother language of the ir origin rep I ied the enthused congregation guided the procession through the in the liturgy. In any case, the Eastern which overflowed into the courtyard cemetery, stopping often at graves Orthodox presence in Europe is al ive of St. Sergius. From the bishop's flame, where family members stood by in and active. the entire congregation lighted their memory of loved ones . At the individual candles announcing the conclusion of the day, we enjoyed new day. Highlights of Orthodox Worship together an agape feast with traditional The bishop then led the congrega­ Orthodox Easter foods (Pascha, Ku­ An increasing number of non-Or­ tion in candlelight procession out of lich, and colored eggs). thodox Europeans and tourists are the sanctuary and encircled the discovering the presence of Byzantine church . When they returned, the Issues Facing Orthodoxy in Europe Christianity through worsh ip. There is gospel of the resurrection was repeat­ real ly no finer introduction to the ed in fi ve languages-Slovonic, While the liturgical worship of " Candel ight Kingdom" of Eastern Or­ Greek, French , German and English­ Orthodoxy aspires to fulfill a vis ion of thodoxy than through their celebration witnessing to the catholicity of the heaven on earth, this ancient tradition of Easter and the Euchari st. Orthodox good news. Again the bishop pro­ of Christendom faces many challenges theology can be summed up in these claimed, " Christ is risen !" and the cry today. In Europe, the Eastern Ortho­ tw o significant happenings-Easter was returned by the people, " He is dox churches live largel y within the and the Euchari st-which are so inte­ risen indeed!" Then the royal gates of Communist orbit in the Soviet Union, gra ll y bound together in Orthodox the iconostasi s were flung open to Bulgaria, Romania, and Yugoslavia. worship. The . dramatization of these reveal a splendor of innumerable Greece is on the border of this events in worship has priority over lights, typifying the glory of the empty Communist orbit. How to develop an thei r verba lization in theological tomb. effective Christian witness within a dogmas. Thi s is in keeping with the The dramatic servi ce concluded restrictive environment is a constant ancient recognition that the Christian with the celebration of the Eucharist source of ten sion. How else can we church is pri marily a worshiping com­ fol lowed by the traditional Easter understand the actions and surveil­ munity. Th is sentiment is expressed breakfast, w h ich lasted until five lance common to their daily lives? The well by the traditional adage Lex o'clock in the morning. The worship­ difficulty of thi s situation is often not ordani Jes est credendi. Pra yer and ers then retired to their homes for rest sufficiently appreciated by the West. 12 [396] New World Outlook • October 1981

Two ecumenical° faces of Orthodoxy. (left) Ilia II, Catholicos of the Georgian Orthodox Church in Russia and a president of the World Council of Churches, with WCC general secretary Philip Potter in Geneva. (Below) Eastern Orthodox Patriarch Demetrius I (center) greets Pope John Paul II on the latter's visit to Istanbul.

There is also the troubling issue of ecclesiastical boundaries and juris­ diction which raises countless ques­ tions among the Orthodox them­ selves, seemingly a never ending source of friction. The battle over ethnic identity and use of the mother language is another source of irritation and concern, especially for the youn­ ger generation. For example, should a Ru ssian Orthodox Church of immi­ grants in France insist that their grand­ children chantthe liturgy in Russian or turn to French? This question is also being asked in North America. How are tradition and heritage maintained amid growing secular trends and pressures that preempt the sacred. Recovering the interest and commitment of the youth is an issue of real concern. Another related problem is the question of Orthodox identity. In Europe as well as North America, the Orthodox are surrounded by either Catholics or Protestants. Within this context, history has shown that the Orthodox tend to define themselves in either Catholic terms to Protestants or in Protestant terms to Catholics. The result is a certain loss of their own Ma identity. This factor is expressed in hotel many ways by the Orthodox in their being ecumenical involvements with Protes­ in jac tants and Catholics. The latest exam­ T34 s ple is the Orthodox concern to add Recltr Greek as a working language of the d - ·1 ecumenical dialogue along with En­ . . ~ refo rn glish, French, and German and Span­ years ish . -- ~ spell 1 ' It is imperative for Orthodox to the ch identity themselves authentically in less th the light of the best in their own party historic and national heritage as they Sue struggle with us all to be faithful to the gruitiE evange/ delivered to the saints long Demc ago . • a COL Chris\ D r. Ca rn egie Sa muel Calian, President and c0-exi Professor of Theology at Pittsburgh Theo­ they ! logical Sem inary, has w ritten several books down on Ea ste rn O rthodoxy, including the com­ and ti parative stud y Icon and Pu lpit. the la "T' 14 [398] New World Outlook • October 1981 DO'' NOT FORGET WE ARE HERE '' Methodism In East Germany

Margaret Schiffert

Statue of Martin Luther and the church where he preached in Wittenberg.

Martin ~uther in bronze faces the Church here, other than the historical and prayer .. . even a few spirited argu­ hotel in Wittenberg where a guest is Church that brings in tourist dollars," ments. The vitality of the Methodist being interrogated by a policewoman many are prepared to believe, not Ch1.1rch in the German Democratic in jackboots. Only a block away, a knowing that the 1968 Consitution of Republic comes as an exciting disco­ T34 Soviet tank, memorializing fallen the German Democratic Republic very. Red troops, throws its shadow towards gives every citizen the right to belong Dresden, as a cross-section city the church where the flesh and blood to a religious denomination and take intermingling workers with a business reformer nailed up his 95 Theses 464 part in religious activities. and intellectual community, is a good years ago. Russian soldiers under the Today, an estimated ten million East place to begin a visit to East German spell of Lucas Cranach's altarpiece in Germans publicly declare themselves Methodists. Once called the the church where Luther preached are Christians, 30,000 of these members " Florence of the north", it carries the less than five minutes from communist of the evangelisch-methodistische scars of a war that devastated other I party headquarters. kirche. Yet, what " average American GDR cities, as well. To the unknowing I' Such are the side-by-side incon­ churchperson" goes into East Ger­ eye, the cityscape of concrete vistas, gruities encountered in the German many expecting a Methodist congre­ socialist banners and no-nonsense Democratic Republic (East Germany), gation across the street from a Russian architecture rising at its center might a country full of surprises for U.S. barracks or the news that the young be East Berlin, Magdeburg, Leipzig­ Christians. Incompatible doctrines son of the pastor brought 21 teen-aged even Leningrad, its " sister city" in the co-existing in apparent compatibility, members of atheist families into the USSR. Close at hand, the Church of the they startle anyone who is weighed youth fellowship? Too few have had Cross attracts 2500 to a sacred concert down with black-or-white judgments the privilege of being there .. . breaking across the square from workers con­ and the usual misconceptions about bread with these spiritual kinfolk in a vening in a Communist hall. Its sp ire, the lands behind the " iron curtain" . soviet-bloc country ... exchanging restored with the help of the govern­ " There cannot be a Chri stian ideas on the spot ... sharing in worship ment, I ifts the cross of Christ above the carlo· 1unn) healtl with I 1uag Th

room 1truct wher once mere the L ing- 1tude AtS rise fr and y buildi elderl Certa1 make em pa realiti there them going hand­ them under worsH Wi Laying the cornerstone of the United Methodist Church of Reconciliation in East Berlin. old h' more theol smog from the oily brown lignite that is Very different from Dresden is Karl­ where miners once dug out fortunes in inth the GDR's chief source of energy. On Marx-Stadt. " Workingmen of all silver, some of the denomination's minis the other side of the city, the double countries unite. " The words in four most active parishes and social minis­ leave towers of the Lutheran Church of languages seem to shout from the tries are found . Germ Christ mark where the World Coun­ plaque behind the giant chiseled head A road, which at times seems more the f~ cil's Central Committee held its first of the man from whom the city got its vertical than horizontal, leads from earlie meeting behind the iron curtain in name and temperament. Block after Karl-Marx-Stadt to the little church orpha August, 1981 . block of workers apartments. Factories perched on a hillside in Annaberg. stude Dresden has been the episcopal grinding out their contribution to an Pastor Herrmann has just gotten home minis center of East German Methodists economic plan. Tram tracks hold the from Sunday service but, in the May since 1970, when restricted move­ whole thing together. What a contrast generous spirit that characterizes so 300 ment between East and West led them is the delicate spire of Friedenskirche many East German Methodists, he to constitute their own conference. (Peace Methodist Church), rising hurries back into his coat in order to The office of its first (and present) above the trees to beckon Christians to show the visitor his church and the bishop, Armin Haertel, is on the worship. Pews are filled . The hymn­ press room where many Methodist second floor of a greying, sti 11 gracious singing and anthems are stirring. As materials are printed. His wife Chris­ old house at 56 Wiener Strasse . Down heads bow in prayer for God's people tine, who heads the United Methodist the hall , editor/ pastor Gerhard around the world warmth spreads Women's Federation in the GDR, talks Roegner is going over a manuscript for through the congregation . It stays with about this I ively organization while the one of the three periodicals that, with the visitor throughout the wintry after­ daughters of the family prepare dinner. other Christian materials, come out of noon. Methodism lives in the GDR. Language presents only minor obsta­ the Methodist publishing house. The What more proof is needed? cles to understanding when all are high-ceilinged calm of these rooms Early leaders of the Reformation got working for the same Master. gives no suggestion of the energy that their strongest support in what is now A Methodist holiday house and radiates from here to the 320 local southwest East Germany, the area that retreat center awaits the traveler at congregations served by 120 pastors, today supplies the United Methodist . Scheibenberg. In January, the dormi­ 30 lay preachers and as many retired Church in the GDR with its greatest tory stands silent in the waist-high ministers, who help out as much as strength in numbers. Here, on the snow, but how it will buzz and jump they can . rolling plains and choppy mountains when warm weather brings the first

16 [400] New World Outlook• October 1981 carloads of families . Meals cooked in a sunny kitchen are guaranteed to sati sfy healthy appetites. A table is spread with Christian literature that will as­ suage the hunger of mind and heart. There are other landmarks on this voyage of discovery. Among them, St. Giles Methodist Church in Erfurt, whose congregation meets in ancient rooms straddling a river. The oldest structure used by Methodists any­ where in the world, its stone walls once guarded the wares of local merchants and, before that, echoed to the Latin Mass and Luther's preach­ ing-perhaps when he still was a student at Erfurt. At Schwarzenhof, atop the hills that rise from the basin of the Saale, aged and youth are served in a complex of buildings that sets a home for the elderly within sight of a family retreat. Certainly it is a combination that makes sense . Young people grow in empathy when confronted by the realities of aging. For the old people, there is more than scenery to draw them to the window, with a game going on out in the courtyard and hand-in-hand couples that remind them of grandchildren. A bell out under the trees invites all to share worship and meals. Windowboxes make the balconied old house at Bad Klosterlausnitz look more like a mountain chalet than the theological seminary it is. Methodists in the GDR have been training for the ministry here since they lost the right to leave their country for study in West Germany. Renovations to transform school at Leipzig and turns the chil­ the former holiday house (where dren's hospital in Halle from an earlier, Methodists had cared for war institution into a loving home. Student orphans) are almost completed. The nurses, taking a break from caring for student body last term included two their young patients, ask if they might ministers from Angola. On a sunny sing for Pastor Falk and his guest. The May day in 1980, Bishop Haertel led songs they ch oose are Christian 300 East German Methodists in a hymns. The Church that has won the service dedicating a new catechism respect of a Communist government center that would accommodate 32 for its social programs is also a Church children and their teachers. It had on-the-build. Soon after dedicating been built in the seminary's vegetable the Catechism Center at Bad Kloster­ garden by Methodist volunteers using lausnitz, Bishop Haertel consecrated the money collected by children and the Church of Reconciliation in the (Top) United Methodist home their parents. Buch section of Berlin. Money contri­ for the aged, Schwarzenshof; Halle and Leipzig may remind buted by East German Methodists (left, above) UM children's music lovers of Handel and Bach , included 20,000 marks from residents hospital, staffed by geniuses to whom this land lays claim. of a home for the elderly. The cross on deaconesses, Halle; (Right, above) choir practice, UM For Methodists, they are two of the the facade leaves no question about its church, Eberswalde. cities where one encounters the phe­ intended witness. nomenon of the Methodist deaconess. Under present circumstances, the Truly they are that-Marthas dedicat­ Methodist Church in the GDR cannot ing long hours to serving physical include in its structure a missionary needs ... the Marys who communicate society, but it tries to keep in touch Christ's love to a Marxist society. Their with missions around the world. The spirit fills the hospital and nursing January '81 issue of Methodist News, New World Outlook • October 1981 [401] 17 an Engli sh-language paper coming out share ethnic roots and most feel of the Dresden offices, announced that spiritual bonds. 1 ,000,000 marks, raised by the They live in a country, however, " Bread for the World" campaign in the that has raised its first generation with GDR (not to be confused with the no holdovers from the past. A large "It is sa.me-named organization in the majority of these young adults are USA), would be used to purchase 315 faithful believers in the Party . Gradu­ difficult but large tents and other necessities of ates of the Free German Youth organi­ earthquake victims in Algeria and zation that shapes thought to the not impossible Italy. The Women's Federation uses its socialist mold, they are well aware of to be a Christian creative resources to keep the idea of the requirements for the jobs offering mission alive. the most opportunity for power and in a Marxist Christians in the GDR continue to financial advancement. Even to be­ society.'' close their ranks-inspired by the come a teacher today calls for com­ scriptural call to unity, impelled by the mitment to the System, because pragmatic motivation of survival . schools-and the day care centers and "Our churches no longer live on a kindergartens before them-are the day-to-day basis. They are adjusting most fruitful settings for ideological themselves for a long stay," one cultivation. One of the deepest frus­ Protestant leader in East Germany trations of the Church of the GDR is writes. Of necessity, the paths they that contact with Western Christians is fol low are influenced by the lay of the denied these young people, who have land. been required to study Russian from A land where reminders of how the 5th grade on and quite naturally uneasily the peace of the world I ies are lean to the East. This makes even more inescapable: military vehicles rum­ impressive the Christian rallys that bling by; the everpresent blue-green of bring thousands together ... the "Te­ GDR greatcoats; Russian troops in Deum'80" performed by 5600 brass red-accented khaki who, while care­ players on the Elbe riverbank where fully segregated, are very much in 100,000 are expected to celebrate the evidence. In this context, the Central SOOth anniversary of Martin Luther's Conference of the United Methodist birth in 1983. Church in the GDR recently an­ The government, to be sure, has nounced its intention to work for eased its position. While the constitu­ disarmament within the framework of ti ona I ly-guaranteed freedom to its international contacts. East German choose one's faith does not include the Christians express deep concern for right to use it for political ends, Christian day care center in Dessau. the Polish people, with whom many religious communities are allowed to express their views on social ques­ tions. Conscientious objectors are exempted from military service; their pastors are no longer jailed for sedi­ tion . The State pays clergymen's sa­ laries and old-age pensions, sanctions some religious holidays and assists in reconstructing religious landmarks. Students for the ministry receive gov­ ernment grants to study in government universities. The situation of Christians in East Germany, however, remains essen­ tially one of isolation. Living the Gospel in which they believe, carrying on the work of the Lord, they do so while being cut off from Christians beyond their boundaries. This was eloquently expressed by a man who, on a snowy Sunday evening, gathered with other Methodists around a table in an upper room. " It is difficult but not impossible to be a Christian in a Marxist society," he said to the Western visitor. "But please, do not forget we are here."• The GDR-Churches in a Socialist Diaspora

he German Democratic Republic (East Germany) has a population Tof 17 million, of which about seven million are registered as Chris­ tians . The majority of these belong to the eight churches of the federation of Protestant churches of the GDR, which was formed in 1969. Of the seven million, only about one percent attend Sunday services in the 5,000 parish churches in the country. Writing in One World magazine, the publication of the World Council of Churches, Christfried Berger, says that the " people packed the churches" as never before following World War 11 and the beginning of the 1950's, but that unfortunately this is no longer the case. An "institutional" life consisting of huge church buildings, indepen­ dent Sunday church newspapers, hos­ pitals and diaconal institutions is still the " envy of Christians in other countries" but church attendance is poor, the number of churches without pastors is growing, and there is no tradition of tithing in the Protestant church. Mr. Berger is secretary for ecumenism, mission and diakonia in the diocese of Magdeburg in East Germany. Berger lists growing secularization, industridlization, and a general cli­ mate of the role of the socialist government, which " deliberately makes Leninist-Marxism-and there­ fore atheism-the basis of social de­ velopment and also has the resources to pursue this policy," as the major causes of the decline. Also, the state has the monopoly in education and the children are systematically trained to be communists. Still, as these photos from the World Council of Churches show, there are signs of life as the churches in East Germany discover their role as a " minority" church in a diaspora, or " exile," situation.

Apart from the 48 hospitals, 105 homes for disabled people, nurseries, holiday and retreat centers, the Churches also run over 200 old peoples' homes. ( A ~ I Alli

fj bane ( G

(Be inaui

(Top) An information meeting is held in Halle in East Germany during a day organized by the churches to interest young people in the diaconal ministry-Christian service in various social institutions. The word " Wahrheit" means "truth." (Above) The state has complete control over education and by definition that means support for atheism. If children are to receive religious education it will have to be in the parishes or, as here in Schwerin, in the apartment of a minister. (Right) The Diaconal Service employs about 15,000 trained people for about 950 institutions. The Service is a legally registered and independent organization but is an organ of the churches. Its work is financed by contributions from churches in the Federation of Protestant Churches and from the Free Churches, as well as other subsidies. (Above, left) Scaffolding surrounds the Kreuzkirche in Dresden. The church survived some of the heaviest Allied bombing in World War II and was the scene in August of the World Council of Churches' Central Committee meeting. (Above, right) The parish brass band plays in the city of Frankfort-on-the Oder (Right) Communion is generally served in common cups in German churches, rather than in the individual cups used in many American churches.

(Below) This church service was well attended for the inauguration of a new church built in Eisenhuttenstadt. si nCI th e ~ cent1 rura l all c TH€ UMC NORWAV-IS' TH€R€ A FUTURE:? doWI ed ~ Stein Skjorshammer

As a small church in a highly of the most secular countries in relation to a "state church". Ninety­ secularized society, dominated by a Europe. Rapid industrialization in a four percent of the population belong powerful state church and ignored by small country has had an enormous to the state church. Lutheranism is the an indifferent population, what role of impact. This is a factor largely beyond public religion of the government. The Christian witness and mission can the the control of the churches. constitution, one of the oldest written United Methodist Church play today But one factor within the churches' constitutions in Europe, is based on the in Norway? control is that of our attitudes toward Lutheran faith. Religious education in Methodism was introduced to my one another. The fact is that the the public schools is based on Luther­ country by a Norwegian sailor, Ole P. ecumenical climate in my country anism. Petersen, who was converted by a leaves much to be desired. For in­ From such a position of power it is tion Methodist mission to Scandinavian stance, three tiny "free churches" ­ almost natural that the Lutherans feel ha bi sailors in Brooklyn, New York. The the Missionary Covenant Church, the little need for ecumenical contact with bee first congregation was established in Baptist Church, and our church, all the "free churches". We all need to see Sarpsborg, in September, 1856. For a operate separate seminaries. Some of learn more about each other and how off century we experienced steady growth us feel we need to work for a joint to work together. Giv to a peak of 8,499 in 1950. Since then seminary here in Norway. In Europe the "state church" system of s we have declined to last year's number Just two years ago a Lutheran pastor entails a church tax in which a certain Sun of 6,877. and I jointly celebrated Communion portion of the taxes collected by the 11 : During the seventies the church service. This was such a remarkable state is transferred to the church hard overall lost about seven percent of its event that it was widely reported in the specified by the tax payer. Until about man membership. This may not seem press. But in neighboring Sweden not ten years ago the "free churches" in It much, but it represents the loss of an only have there been joint Commu­ Norway were not included in this wor average sized Norwegian congrega­ nion services for years but also I know system, but now we are. Currently, san tion of 100 members every other year. of one situation where a pastor is about 25 percent of our income comes set Of the various "free churches" in minister in a Lutheran church part of from the federal and state govern­ farm Norway, that is, churches other than the time and in a Methodist church the ments. For our Council of Ministries it peo the official state church of Lutheranism rest of the time. Ecumenical coopera­ is about 75 percent. 11 : (about which, more later), the United tion and joint worship activities which One might say we are ambivalent ble. Methodist Church is the only church you have known in the U.S . for at least about this development. On the one than declining. The growth of the Norwe­ a generation are still new to us here. hand, the money helps us to run and gian Pentecostal Church, the Mission­ I just can't see how we can have a programs, for instance programs for the ary Covenant Church, and the Roman hope of meaning something for society youth, which we might not otherwise Catholic Church actually exceeds the in Norway while we remain as sectari­ run . If I hold a Bible study group I know growth of the population. an and divided as we are. These are that I will be re-imbursed by the matters of deep spiritual significance, government for expenses. Rent for a A Secular Society not just organization. How do we youth center may be re-imbursed by as In general, the gap between organ­ represent the "Body of Christ" to an much as a third. Fifty percent of our ized religion in Norway and the indifferent population when we our­ mission money comes from grants people as a whole is growing. In a selves remain divided? from the federal government. Some of recent study, Norway had the lowest To some extent our problem is a this arrangement is undoubtedly good. level of church attendance of seven theological one. The old patterns of I don't even dare to think what would European countries. Norway's aver­ European theology have a tremendous happen to us if we didn't get federal age attendance is a meagre eight hold on the churches and tend to and state money. percent, compared with an average of divide us . If I would make a compari­ On the other hand, we may become 31 percent in the other countries. son between us and your churches in too dependent on government money. Other studies indicate that while a America, I would say that perhaps you Some say we are really on the way to mini fairly large percentage of the popula­ do not give enough thought to theolo­ becoming a "state church". Some day there might be strings attached to this two tion (56 percent) regard themselves as gy, while we give too much . And you money. I don't think that as a church Wor "positive" toward the Christian faith, perhaps give too much thought to we are sufficiently aware of the Boa~ only 14 percent answered "yes" to the making things work, to the practical dangers involved in this arrangement. prog question, "Do you consider yourself a side, while we do not give enough. T personal Christian?" And eight per­ Relations with a State Church New Congregational Patterns futu cent said they considered themselves 0Pe negative toward Christianity. Like most European countries, Nor­ In one area it is virtually impossible ards Norway is widely recognizd as one to make a comparison and that is in our wegian society has changed rapidly so 111 22 [406] New World Outlook• October 1981 since World War II. For the most part, the population trend is away from the central city areas and into the outlying rural and suburban areas . But almost "Christ Is colling us all of the churches are still in the downtown areas. Incredibly, the Unit­ to breok out from known structures ed Methodist Church in my country has not established any new congre­ ond venture Into the unknown with Him." gations in the last 30 years. My own congregation in Bergen, Norway's second largest city, is a typical example of what has been happening. Despite the growth of huge suburbs, there is still a large expectation that people will commute downtown to participate in church activities. Since 1965 we have gone from a membership of 272 to 216. Furthermore, not only is the popula­ tion moving away, it is changing its habits. The sport of skiing has always been popular in my country, but now it seems practically everyone is taking off for the mountains on weekends. Given the choice between a weekend of skiing in the mountains and a Sunday of commuting downtown to an 11 :00 a.m. church service, it is not hard to see what the choice wi 11 be for many people. I think that we need a change in the worship hour away from the "sacro­ sanct'' 11 :00 a.m. on Sunday--a time set originally for the convenience of farmers and their cows. But getting people to change their ideas about styles and approaches in a new day. 11 :00 a.m. Sunday is nearly impossi­ Christ is calling us to break out from ble. The time has become more sacred known structures and venture into the than the religion itself. We can bend unknown with Him. The transition will and twist the words of Jesus to make be both difficult and painful. It will them mean what we want them to demand sacrifice, love and commit­ mean, but we mustn't change that ment to Christ, the church and our 11 :00 a.m. hour! fellow human beings. Right now we The house churches are not intend­ do have people ready and eager to do ed to replace the local congregation. this. • They are more or less as the spokes of the hub. But it is hoped that eventually some of the house churches will Stein Skjorshammer is pastor of the First develop into congregations of their United Methodist Church in Bergen, Nor­ own, ministering to the people living wa y, and a member of the faculty of the Theological Seminary in Bergen . He stud­ in the suburbs and reaching out in ied in the United States , earning a D .Min. ministries to the neighborhood. degree at Methodist Theological School, We also hope that this project will Delaware, Ohio, and a Ph .D . in sociology serve as a model for the rest of the and religion at Emory University, Atlanta, UMC in Norway as a way of involving Georgia. both clergy and laity in new patterns of ministry. A research grant of $5000 for two years from a joint grant of the (Top) A house church service World and National Divisions of the in Bergen. (Right) The Board of Global Ministries made this author in the library of the program possible. theological seminary, Bergen. The UMC in Norway does have a future if it is able to face it with openness. We are called to be stew­ ards of the Good News and this means some modifications of traditional 24 (408) ew World Outlook • October 1981

It all began with a vis it of Bishop Tunisia on the world map of Norwe­ Boa Joseph Hartzel I to the Norwegian gian Methodists. con WORLD Annual Conference in 1907 . He spoke T about a lighthouse, a beacon on the Changes in Length of Service De~ dark continent of Africa . Foreign aco In the sixties changes became evi­ MIS)lON mission was not unknown to Norwe­ pres dent both in regard to the type of gian Methodists, since there already ann1 missionary and the length of service. was a strong Norwegian Lutheran strin The earlier missionaries went out as missionary movement in the country Tl flND "lifetime missionaries" and most them and since the Methodists, because of had a period of service of 15-30 years their international connection, had a behind them before they returned ~~1 sense of belonging to a world wide home. The men had mainly ministerial NO~E:GlflN movement. training and the women were nurses 10~ There were frequent visits of Meth­ and teachers. rur~ I odists from around the world, and bea ~ After 1960 most of the missionaries METHODISM Norwegian Methodists came back hea ll have been short-term people who from visits abroad with impressions went out for a determined period and A ~~ that brought with it concern for the inSI O task. This has been particularly evident JUEL NORDBY world outside our national borders. labd But it was Bishop Hartzell's vision that after 1970 when the cooperation with qua caught the imagination of the Norwe­ the Norwegian Aid and Development Her Agency began. gians and challenged them to a de personal engagement. In the years that Another change took place in 1964. Before that time the Norwegian mis­ fol lowed funds were sent to the sionaries were sent out under the " lighthouse" in Southern Rhodesia, Board in New York, while those sent and groups were organized for study later were directly under the Norwe­ and intercessions. are gian Board. The break-through came in 1919 is Altogether more than ninety mis­ when the Western District of the coo sionaries have been engaged in Asia, Epworth League decided to send and the Africa, and Latin America during the support a missionary to China, and the sixty years of Norwegian Methodist first missionary to respond to the missionary activities. challenge was a Bethany deaconess, At the present the Norwegian Board Serene Laland, who for a number of is engaged in projects with personnel years served in Kutien in China. and funds in India, Angola, and The next step was the formation of ist Liberia, and in all three countries these the Women's Foreign Mission Society the projects are undertaken with the finan­ in 1931, which the following year sent bot cial support of the Norwegian Aid and the Rev . Agnes Nilsen to India, where Mo Development Agency. she still, atthe age of 73, is serving as a hospital chaplain. Government Support In the years that followed several missionaries were sent to Algeria and Financial support for missionary Southern Rhodesia, so that when the projects from government sources is a Second World War broke out there peculiar feature of European politics. were nine missionaries representing The Norwegian Parliament is chan­ the Norwegian Methodists. During the neling its foreign aid three ways­ were war all connection between the home th rough international agencies, year church and the missionaries was through direct bilateral agreements staff broken, but thanks to the international with the Aid and Development Agency nu rs structure of the church they could as agent, and through non-govern­ tech continue in their work. mental agencies of which the mis­ Sta Even though the war meant isola­ sionary agencies are the most impor­ tion, it surprisingly also was a period of tant. missionary awakening. Missionary in­ This springs from the parliament terest and support increased and mis­ members' recognition of the integrity sionary candidates came forward. This of the missionary enterprise. Aid meant that in the years following the through the mission boards reaches war the dedication and sending out of the poorest, avoids losses due to big missionaries became an annual event governmental bureaucracies, is more and in the next ten years no less than efficiently managed, is fairly free of an twenty seven missionaries left for corruption, and is not "political" in the different fields in Africa and Asia. In the same sense that bi lateral govern­ the addition to India, Algeria and Southern mental aid usually is. situ Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) came Malaysia, Thus of the total annual budget of mai Angola, Congo (Zaire), Liberia and the Norwegian Methodist Mission the Board of almost $500,000 about half sis program is developed, which is also comes from government sources . followed with interest outside Angola. The Board presents its project to the In the late sixties Bishop Stephen Development Agency and if it is Nagbe had a dream about a compre­ accepted for funding we have to hensive agricultural development in present reports and audited accounts the remote eastern part of Liberia, and Finonciol'' support annually. Beyond this there are no he felt that beside giving new hope to strings attached . the peasants in the area, it would for missionory The three main areas of particular strengthen the church to be involved in concern at the present are India, a new outreach. The Norwegian Board projects from Angola and Liberia. responded to the challenge. Advice In the small village of Mursan, about was sought with the Norwegian government sources 100 miles south of Delhi, there is a Church Aid and support secured from rural health center. Perhaps "small is the Norwegian International Aid and is o peculior beautiful" is the word. It is primary Development Agency. health service on the grassroots level . In 1971 clearing of land began and feoture of A few simple, locally built houses later the necessary buildings were inside a wall provide clinic space, erected and oil palms planted. The Europeon politics. laboratory, delivery room and living plan is to develop the palm oil quarters for the missionary nurses . production which is one of the re­ Here help is provided, and if a case gional resources. This production is demands more serious attention the '' coordinated with the government's patient is transported to the nearest plan for an oil refinery in the neigh­ hospital. borhood. As a part of the program, the But most of the activities happen in Liberian Church should provide tech­ the surrounding villages where clinics nical personnel to take over. So far this are held, and where health instruction has not come through. The few is provided. The health personnel qualified national experts are needed cooperate in these village visits with in other places and a remote isolated the local evangelists. place is not very attractive.

After Angolan Independence New Signals for Evangelism When Angola attained its indepen­ In connection with the agricultural dence in 1975 there were no Method­ project a village health program is ist missionaries left, and due to the war provided. The medical service and the personal contact with missionary the church had suffered heavy losses health personnel have been the most both in personnel and in buildings. important parts of the program as far as Most of the activities at Quessua contact with the population is con­ mission station had come to a stand­ sti 11. It was in that situation that the cerned. This has also opened the way Bishop turned to Norway and request­ for the evangelistic outreach of the ed help for the medical needs of the missionaries and the local evangelists. people. The type of missionary enterprise through health service and technologi­ After negotiations, plans for a small but comprehensive medical program cal development has been appreciated were drawn up for a period of eight in the countries where we are en­ years. At present we have an expatriate gaged, and it has the support of the staff of one physician, a public health church in Norway. However, it is nurse and a nurse-midwife and a interesting that at the same time that technician, in addition to the national we are receiving new signals from our staff. This health service is integrated overseas partners through their request in the government program of the for more engagement in the evange­ region. Besides the curative aspects of listic outreach and the nurture and the program, particular emphasis has building up of the church, our Nor­ been put on preventive medicine and a weigan constituency is urging the village health program with health Board to be more concerned with teaching, sanitation, clean water and evangelism. It seems to be a maturing inoculation has been developed. Na­ experience of coordinated goals and tional workers have been prepared in desires on both ends . • an on-the-job training program, and the program is observed and copied by Or. Juel Nordby, who formerly served in the health authorities. Due to the war the Africa Office of the Board of Global situation tuberculosis has become a Ministries, is now general secretary of the major problem. In cooperation with Board of Missions of the United Methodist the health service a special tuberculo- Church of Norway.

New World Outlook • October 1981 [4111 27 The People of God l

" God has ca lled us to be His people Church in Estonia became an autono­ here in our country at this time in our mous church . Following the trials and there history, and we know that God's grace sufferings of World War II, the mem­ each will be sufficient for us." Thi s state­ bership of the Methodist Church de­ cong ment of certainty came from the clined to about 700 members in twelve At people of the Methodist Church of congregations. In the capital city of the l Estonia. We, indeed, found the people Tallinn, following the destruction in Esto ~ of God there in that beautiful country. the war, only a small company of forty carpi Estonia is one of the republics of the Methodists remained . congl Soviet Union. A small land on the Under the faithful leadership of in Ler coast of the Baltic Sea , it has a superintendent Alexander Kuum and Esto population of 1.4 million inhabitants. Hugo Onega a revival came and the (acti It is the northernmost of the Soviet church grew. Today the largest Meth­ 15 c Baltic Republics. odist church in continental Europe is in minis The beginning of Methodist work in Tallinn. worK Estonia was in 1907 through one lay What a story of God's power un­ more preacher of Estonia nationality and a folding in the church. For over 35 cong member of the Methodist Church in years this church in Tallinn has past Petersburg (now Leningrad). After the flourished without its own sanctuary twel year 1920, the Methodist congrega­ building. Since the destruction of the Las tions in Estonia were united in the Methodist building in World War II, Baltic and Slavic Conferences. After worship has been held in a Seventh the incorporation of Estonia into the Day Adventist Church building. Mem­ Soviet Union in 1940, the Methodist bership in the church is over 1100 and

- were Parn - - had durin the plesh a pro overs gOSPfl • churc

28 [412] New World Outlook• October 1981 • r Estonia H. Eddie Fox

there are over seven times for worship In every worship service all you can many reasons , but one is the great each week to meet the needs of the see is a sea of faces , as the people are emphasis on prayer. They pray togeth­ congregation and the city. packed into a standing room only er often and for long periods of time. At present the Methodist Church in situation. A thousand people crowd Before the worship services, people the Soviet Union remains only in into the worship with a third of them gather for prayer for a half-hour to an Estonia, with a little group in Trans­ having to stand for the service which hour. Prayer is a central element in the carpathia. There are no Methodist lasts one and one-half to two hours. In worship services. People make written congregations in Latvia, Lithuania, or the Tallinn Church two of the worship requests and for a period of time in Leningrad. The Methodist Church in services are in Estonian with simulta­ intercessory prayer is made in behalfof Estonia has about 2500 members neous translation in the Russian lan­ each of these requests . Every gathering (active believers older than 18 years), guage. Each time the church is is marked by this time of earnest, 15 congregations, 16 pastors, and 8 crowded with worshipers, with more sincere prayer. When I shared that ministers with old age pensions who than 2000 people worshiping each many prayers were being prayed in our work according to their ability, and Sunday in th is great church. country for the Methodist Church in more than 80 active lay preachers. The I have never experienced such Estonia, the leaders expressed in tears congregation in Tallinn alone has two intensity of worship of Jesus Christ. As of thanksgiving their joy and confi­ pastors and 25 lay preachers and the elements for holy communion dence that God hears and answers twelve musical groups. were served, many persons openly prayer. Last April , my colleague from the wept for joy. The people are a singing people. Board of Discipleship, Dr. Bill Elling­ We were able to visit the Methodist Their national song festival, held every ton, and I traveled to Tai Ii nn to visit our churches in the next two largest cities five years, is known throughout the brothers and sisters in Christ and to ofTartu and Parnu . In Tartu ,-the home world. Estonian Methodists are great teach, preach, and share in the life of of Tartu University, which was first singers. The story of the Christian faith the Methodist Church in Estonia. We mentioned around the year 1000, and is communicated with enthusiasm in were invited by Superintendent Olav in Parnu, a beautiful sea resort city, we Parnamets. The Rev . Mr. Parnamets worshiped and met with our Christian had visited the USA in 1978 and brothers and sisters. We were the first during that visit participated as one of citizens from the USA to visit these two the missioners in the Board of Disci­ congregations in over forty years . pleship New World Mission program, a program which brings pastors from The Power of God overseas to come and preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God in The power of God in the life of this churches in the USA. heroic church is evident. There are

(Above) Aleksander Kuum. (left) The author (third from right) and Bill Ellington (right) listen as Rev. Heigo Ritzbek, secretary of the Estonian church translates. Seated at left is general superintendent Rev . Olav Parnaments.

29 Convinced that they are chosen of God for this time in the hi story of their people, they are confident the future is open to them . They are aware of the cha I lenge that their situation presents for the ministry of the church, and they are aware of the power of God. As Olav Parnamets declared, " Our God is able!" They declare that this world belongs to the Lord and this faith and hope gives them great strength. The people desire to have contact with Methodists from other countries. They welcome people who can visit them. One scene which I remember was all of the worshipers standing and waving their greetings to American Methodists.

Seventy-fifth Anniversary Next year they celebrate their 7Sth anniversary of the Methodist Church in Estonia. It is a remarkable story of God's power and a people's faith in the living Lord Jesus Christ. I sh al I never forget meeting Alex­ ander Kuum. This man, over 80 years old, has lived throughout the 75 years Young people in front of Merepuiestee Street Church in Tallinn. of this church's life. He was the superintendent of the Methodist the congregational singing of the work. The believers can, for their own Church in Estonia at the time of great people. While there are very few children at home, give religious edu­ suffering for the church. He suffered many difficulties and trials for this printed hymnals, the people learn the cation or go with them to the worship words and music and sing in joy. service in the church . faith, but continued in the faithful Anthems, often copied by hand, and The Estonian Methodist Church has ministry of the Lord . Under his leader­ also original compositions are sung by friendly contacts with other churches ship and others a great revival came. choirs and groups during the worship in the Soviet Union. The closest On my first Sunday in Tallinn I saw him services. In the churches we visited, a contact is with Estonian Baptists. coming into worship. A tall man, with large number of youth and young Recentl y the two have compiled and only his white hair giving any indica­ adults provided Christian gospel and printed a new hymnal. In each of the tion of his age, he approached me. A rock music, complete with guitars, churches we visited there were clergy brief handshake and then an extended embrace, he spoke his first word in my drums, and tambourines. These youth and lay people present from other ear, " Hallelujah." Tears of thanksgiv- were alive and vibrant witnesses to Christian churches. their conviction that Jesus Christ is 1ing for this man of God and for his Great Storytellers Lord . sacrificial faith came to my eyes and I My colleague, Bill Ellington, was The people of the Methodist Church responded : "Hallelujah." From such a people we have much particularly impressed by the way the in Estonia are a strong people. They are church gathers often to build one very conscious of their heritage and to learn. The church is vital, alive, and another up in the Christian faith . They hungry to know more. They expressed growing. There are many obstacles for them, and there are many open doors gather frequentl y and look forward to particular interest in learning more of for them. The people there promised to being together. They understand the the Wesleys. With very limited printed pray for us and we have promised to gift of encouragement. They gain life resources, much of their training and from each other in the body of Christ, teaching of Christian heritage has been pray for them. the church. passed on by oral tradition . As a result, Hallelujah. It is my word of thanks­ The church is working to minister in the people are great story tellers. In a giving for the people of God in Estonia. the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in sermon I told a story illustrating God's • their country. The church can advance boundless grace for us . Three days later in a meeting of church leaders an their work independently of the state H . Eddie Fox is Director of the New World but must observe the legi slation of the older member told us that he had Miss ion and Preaching Evangelism for the Soviet Union. already told the story to twenty differ­ UM Board of Discipleship and also serves For children and young people ent people. He said " You have multi­ as North American Regional Secretary for under 18 the churches in the Soviet plied your sermon more than twenty Wo rld Evangelism, World Methodist Council. Union cannot organize any special times." Pre 30 [414] New World Outlook • October 1981 ULS'TER') CHILDREN Ff1CT f1ND FICTION

Chorles Reynolds

What is the image projected to the world of the children of Northern Ireland? · For the most part it is an image of petrol bombs being lobbed at police cars and army patrol vehicles, of daring flashes of bravado and provoca­ tion, of confrontations between secu­ rity forces and gangs of youth and children . The media have played their own role in projecting this distorted image. It has been reliably reported that children have occasionally been paid to confront troops. They were paid for each stone thrown, each petrol bomb heaved, and even a special reward for each rubber bullet which had been directed toward them . Fictionalized accounts of incidents have been re­ ported-in one instance leading to resignation of a columnist for a major American newspaper. The sporadic scenes of violence come from urban ghetto areas . The rest of the population remains relatively detached from the disruptions even though strong political viewpoints are held by just about everyone in orth­ ern Ireland. The young people from the dis­ turbed areas identify with gangs and congregate on street corners. They are wide open to approaches from parti­ san leaders and willingly seize the opportunity to repudiate authority. No matter to what side they belong, they are most vocal in establishing their ground as Protestant or Catholic.

Another Picture But these are not all the children in Northern Ireland. There are over 300,000 young people between the ages of 10 and 20 . Over 150,000 belong to responsible, well-disci­ plined organizations such as the Boys' Brigade, Girls' Brigade, Church Lad s'

[41 S] Brigade, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, and the same time studying the project area Chi '' a variety of other church youth groups. in considerable depth . Chi The children In addition, a large number of youth The Boys' Brigade in the Church of cor are enrolled in the National Cadet Ireland has for many years supported a The of Northern lrelQnd Corps, the Air Cadets, and the Sea hospital in Nigeria which is main­ Col Cadets . All these organizations main­ tained entirely by B.B. units around ent Qre not more violent tain high standa rd s for membership the world. The Presbyterian youth fu rr or sociQll.Y disoriented and provide disciplined leadership for groups undertake a different project dep the you ng people. each year; one year it was to furnish ogy thQn elsewhere. The youth of the churches are mobile libraries for Malawi; the next func supportive of the entire life of the year it was to help the Presbyterian Nev church. They are required , by mem­ Housing Tru st which provides Senior targ '' bership in the Boys' Brigade and Girls' Citizen housing under the auspices of $80 Brigade (as an example), to participate the church . any in a Bible Class, attend worship itW services, and be helpful to the other uni I Over the Top units of the church. They maintain a witf keen interest in the missionary out­ In 19 79, in observance of Interna­ ed 2 reach program, usually undertaking to tional Year of the Child, the youth of pa i1 raise funds for specific projects, and at three denominations (Presbyterian whc ach1 000 Tl The Boys Brigade of the Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland hands over lreli approximately $35,000 they raised for church work overseas. The author is at the left. nini oft~ frorT Furn targ1 nou amc Ire la raisi doll lane proj, plan peo1 for help rnaic n not 1 ed tf high yout disCi cont SOci, havE larni intf n elen Ire la out mar

irna1 Nor

-Cha rn1ss the Boa \or 32 [416] New World Outlook • October 1981 Church in Ireland, the Methodist Church, Church of Ireland) agreed to combine their efforts on one project. They se lected the Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, Ind ia , to be recipi­ ent of the funds. This was to help furnish and equip a new block for the department of obstetrics and gynecol­ ogy which was being constructed with funds rai sed through the churches in ew Zealand . The Irish group set a target figure of 40,000 pounds (abo ut $80,000). This was more than double any amount they had rai sed before, so it was a monumental challenge. The uniformed organizations, together with Sunday sc hool children, mount­ ed an energetic and imaginative cam­ paign in churches throughout the whole of Ireland (North and South) and achieved the surprising figure of 72 ,- 000 pounds (a bout $150,000). The government of the Republic of Ireland was challenged at the begin­ ning of the campaign to match the goal of the children with a grant of $80,000 from their International Development Funds, if the children achieved their target. Consequently, government an­ nounced approval of a grant in that amount. In th is way, the children of Ireland have been responsible for raising over a quarter of a million dollars for this project in India. Simul­ taneously they worked on other small projects such as sending an entire plane load of food to the hungry people of Uganda. The main project for the current year is directed to helping the Caribbean nation of Ja­ maica. The children of Northern Ireland are not more violent or socially disorient­ ed than elsewhere. The province has a higher than average percentage of its youth in church, Sunday school, and disciplined youth organizations. Their contributions to the economically and socially-deprived beyond themsel ves have been significant. Home and family life is still an important element in the societal structure. That there is a violent and criminal element among children in Northern Ireland cannot be denied. But it is not out of proportion to what is found in many other societies. Nor is it the only image we should have of life in Northern I re land today. • Irish boys look at pictures of India. The Christian Medical College at Ludhiana was a major recipient of the funds raised.

Charles Re ynolds, a former Methodist missionary in India, is executive director of the Ludhiana Christian Medical College Board with offices in ew York. He is from orthern Ireland. Keeping the Lines Open in ~ i~

thats Shouts and pounding footfalls break Margaret The first experience with a Christian WO the silence. In a crackle like gunfire, family hotel may come while swinging deve Schiffert reflections of streetlamps shatter into up through the mist in a scarlet cable ke e ~ glaciers of glass. Sirens wail. There is car. The trip will be shared with as earn scuffling in the darkness . The next many as can safely crowd in : mothers ing t morning, stunned citizens stare at the with pink-cheeked toddlers grinning plan broken shop windows. from their back-carriers; dads and how Miami? Belfast? No, Zurich, Swit­ grandpas in lederhosen, all set to share hold[ zerland . Not racial frustration or sec­ the fine points of rock climbing; an tarian hatred , but youthful anger be­ exuberant jostle of children with packs cause city fathers threaten to take over or skis . the management of a new youth In this case , the destination is Hotel center. Their rocks will command Viktoria, one of the Christian vacation more attention than marching plac­ hostels where families can relax, play ishm ards . and worship together. Perched high on Hou. Such calculated vandalism seems a rocky outcropping, as remote as an Chris especially disturbing in a country that eagle's eyrie from the distractions that own has not engaged in armed conflict can divide families, it offers the ski highE since 1815; whose economy is as slopes, hiking trails, game rooms, storer stable as its mountains. Enough Swiss playing fields, movies, library, book­ thing are described as serious, honest, shop, chapel and snack bar that keep arran self-disciplined, hardworking and re­ families coming back. Bible study and reluo spectful of the property of others to organized discussions provide " think­ cove credit these traits to a national charac­ ing spots" in the leisure. Resort-at­ pi nt·! ter. A· passion for detail produces tractive meals give mother a chance to boo~ timepieces that are precise to a split get out of the kitchen and Ii nger at the of a Surrogate parent Anita second. Switzerland enjoys one of the table after meals. Vogt-Bauman at the fri enc highest standards of living in the Viktoria features sleeping quarters All Nieschberg Home for drug world. with large bathrooms and four to five rehabilitation, Herisau, Unite "That's just the trouble," claims a beds , as well as child care services . Switzerland. land. discotheque owner in Montreux, who Ingenious plumbing and low-hung sno calls himself the medicine man of the sinks , mirrors and hanger rods in some baker young. "Switzerland is so over-organ­ of the newer rooms allow handi­ spiriti ized and predictable that the fun is capped vacationers to join in the fun . imag bugged out of it. It's about time our Even if it were not the fastest way up young people wake up and turn on, if the mountain, the cable car would they don't want to end up playing the provide an exciting beginning to any money game with the squares." In family holiday. It also may be the most dow:!~ defense, his 'squares ' point out al I they breathtaking ride to Sunday worship and have done to draw every possible anywhere-at the highest Methodist eta I ounce of benefit from the country' s church in the world. scant natural resources . Among the other Christian family acros such Neither side may be willing to admit hotels, Artas is convenient to lnterla­ ing so that both protest and disassociation ken 's station and shops, yet within Meth from responsi bi I ity are part of the sight of some of the most majestic press poverty side of affluence. Spiritual alpine scenery in Europe. It accom­ the emptiness in the midst of material modates fami I ies and conferences, fullness, against which the United with guests sharing the dining room of addi Methodist Church in Switzerland is Abendruh, a Methodist home for the Ca directing its energy in a way that lifts elderly. The Cami Zelthof sets those inthe In "over-organized" and "predictable" looking for urban diversions right in to the level of creative problem the heart of Zurich. For a reasonable strate solving. If, for example, troubled price, a taste of luxury can be enjoyed lessnc individuals come out of troubled only a short walk from the university, wonn families, why not see what can be boutiques, the Kunsthaus Art Callery their done to serve the family? The whole and take-you-anywhere transit lines. enter family, as far as that is possible where The Viktoria shares its mountainside ther " doing one's own thing" get the with a Methodist home economics Yet, special blessing of society. school . Within a few steps of the hotel thin .

---34 f4181 New Wo_rld Outlook • October 1981 itzerland

that serves as a practice ground, young women from all over the country develop cooking, serving and house­ keeping skills they can turn into earning power in Switzerland's grow­ ing tourist industry. Those who do not plan to work outside the home learn how to manage a family and house­ hold. Homemaking loses the stigma of being menial when directed towards building a Christian family. Families, in turn, provide the Christian Church with one of its strongest hopes. An ongoing source of spiritual nour­ ishment, the Methodist Publishing House in Zurich turns out a wealth of Christian literature, that can hold its own with a reading public used to the highest quality. In Methodist book­ stores, a selection including some­ thing for everyone in the family is arranged to intrigue even the most reluctant readers into opening up covers and venturing inside. In a pint-sized browsing corner, a good book can be enjoyed in the company of a stuffed Snoopy or other good friend . All this suggests a rosy setting for United Methodist work in Switzer­ land . Generations sharing the fun of a snowy slope . Tables laden with fresh­ baked treats . Readers recharging their spirits. A kaleidoscope of positive images. And indeed, they can be found without much trouble. But there is the other side of the picture, too: divorce, mental break­ down, alcoholism, abuse of children and marriage partners and other soci­ etal illnesses that throw shadows across the human landscape. Against such challenges, Christians are gather­ ing some of their finest resources . The Methodist Church has the most im­ (Top to bottom). pressive record of success among all UM Deaconess the agencies called in to fight drug Hospital, Zurich; addiction. surrogate parent Can a clue to this success be found Christoph in the name of its program, Best Hope? Hartmann-Sigg at In two words it sets forth the ba sic drug strategy of replacing guilt and hope­ rehabilitation lessness with new feelings of self­ program, Sonnehalde worth . Participants must want to kick Waldsatt; cable their habit, of course: the decision to car to Hotel enter the program is theirs; they know Viktoria. there will be rough days ahead . And yet, wanting to do something is one thing; succeeding is another. Two

New World Outlook• October 1981 [419] 35 Methodist family-style homes put suc­ (Abo Inter cess within reach . The discovery-I staff am somebody who counts, with some­ (bot11 thing to offer the world-can boost anyone closer to the top. The steep road up to Nieschberg v i ce~ Herisau hints at the uphill struggle Met~ awaiting these young men in the parai turreted house that suggests a feudal ands castle. This will be their home for the favor coming months, a cocoon of caring livin1 that wi II ease the withdrawal. Ups users come from bright colors and the tea mare shared sitting on pillows on the floor. one There are pets to cuddle and care for, gists the discipline of chores (that may have gene been lacking at home), sports and wiilL handcrafts to vent en~rgy and the need bare to create. The sympathetic ears of As Hanspeter and Anita Vogt-Baumann turni1 hear out their anger without condem­ This nation. Any victory is a cause for pensi " family" celebration. to be The second phase of rehabi I itation ares takes place at Sonnhalde Waldstatt, aged where a large frame house is shared Al( with Christoph and Esther Hartmann­ Inter! Sigg, their children and the temporary dents " brothers" -who may become their the p first real friends. They are ready now andI for more freedom. And, for responsi­ mear bilities: working to fix up the house, Chap caring for the grounds, helping raise serve vegetables and livestock. A job in the andt (Top, left) UM bookstore, Zurich; (top right) resident of UM apartments, St. town puts money in their pockets, An Gallen; (Above) UM church and apartments, St. Gallen. self-confidence in their hearts. illne! Even as they administer a number of Th family and retreat centers, two dea­ St. ( coness hospitals, programs and ser- 5eni(

36 [420] New World Outlook• October 1981 \ (Above, left) Staff member dispensing medicines at Abendruh home for the elderly, Interlaken; (above, right) director Robert Bruhwiler in lobby of Hotel Viktoria; (center) staff members at UM home economics school taking a coffee break, Hasliberg Reuti; ~- (bottom) Nieschberg Herisau, first stage in UM drug rehabilitation program. 1st

11g vices for young and aged , Swiss is to make the transition to old age Methodists must at times see the outside institutional walls, where lie e parallel climb of material affluence there is room to spread out. Close to al and spiritual poverty as an uneven race others, yet as independent as one favoring the latter. If the standard of chooses. The Methodist residence in re living is up, so is the number of drug St. Gallen puts its elderly an elevator users . Construction inspires the night­ ride from meeting and lecture rooms, ea~ mares that the country may become laundry, exercise and cooking classes Jr. one continuous megalopolis. Ecolo­ and, most important for many, a Jr, gists worry about how the prosperity­ Methodist church and pastor. ve generati ng plans of resort developers During Switzerland's periods of wil I upset the balance of nature and lay heavy snowfall, it is a daily operation d bare new avalanche corridors. ed to keep railway tracks open in the high As the birthrate falls, Switzerland is valleys. To do this, Swiss ingenuity of turning into a country of old people. developed snowplows that can slice rn This means higher expenditures for away 20-foot high drifts and spray 1\- pension and sick benefits, with fewer snow well away from the tracks . ~r to bear the burden. Swiss Methodists Where lines cross recognized ava­ are stepping up their ministry to the lanche paths, ma ss ive concrete shel­ on aged . ters are bu i It to carry the torrents of tt, Along traditional lines, Abendruh in boulders and snow harmless ly over the ed Interlaken offers rooms where re si­ rails. dents can live surrounded by some of The system is a metaphor for what ~ the possessions that tie them to famil y the United Methodist Church in Swit­ eir and past. To help give the days more zerland is doing. Helping to keep open J\\ meaning, there are social rooms, a the lines to God. Improving the si· chapel, kaffee-klatsch corner, meals chances for fullness of life by throwing if, served against a mountain backdrop up bastions against the forces that and trips for shopping and sightseeing. cou ld destroy it. • An infirmary provides care when i 11 ness strikes. The sleek apartments overlooking Margaret Schiffert is a free lance writer w ho St. Gallen typify the latest trend in visited Europe partly under the auspices of senior residences . How mu ch easier it the General Board of Global Ministries. New World Outlook• October 1981 [421] 37 inal trac chi/ per~ eye! Tl An lnternotionol Church and peOI she fora: Teom In Block Austrolio isa "/ not 1 Jon ffioymon lead tian Chu In the warm, sweet-scented West around their nightly campfires. Crossing " Aboriginal reserve", a clea Austra lian bush land, tropic night is For the visiting World Council of squalid , sun beaten -and treeless COUI fa ll ing fast as an old Aboriginal man Churches team, though, this is a new campsite beside a rubbish dump. gr an te lls of the massacre he survived as a experience. An African nuclear physi­ " If th is is not disgraceful, what can abot boy. ci st, Bena-Silu , clutches a friendly you cal I it? Some of the stories the horr " The police shoot all our people, Aboriginal child to hi s body, in stincti­ Aboriginal people have told us are (1 men and women, children too, kill vel y, protectively, as the horror con­ classic examples of racism and ex­ by them and burn all the bodies . I see it tinues, more killings, more bodies, old ploitation. con all, hiding in the trees," says Nipper skeletons . " I am used to the pornography of Wor Tabagee, now 70. " I was about 10 Then the World Council team lead­ poverty. After all, I come from a third mov years old, I suppose." er, Anwar Barkat, gently intervenes. world country-Pakistan-but the wee His fellow tribespeople listen ap­ " My friends here are almost in tears, degradation and exploitation of the talki provingl y, glad the outside world is we sympathize with you, we must all Aboriginal people in such a big, rich po vi hearing at last, about the ancient look to the future." country is truly shocking. " men history of Au stra lia's w hite conquest. Next day, Barkat is angry, in the Watching Barkat speak to the TV no rt I They have heard many stories like this present day horror of the Fitzroy cameras following the tour are Aborig- Abo n the soci1 ed, I heal ever cl ea thei r learr G lia's Brifr ago, pol it tion; Whi givir mini Terri Sc rece pen~ Rani Terr tribi und1 fede A the sion rich Qui min ura1 inal m n and women blinded by projects. trachoma and crippled by leprosy and Premier Sir Charles Court, of West­ children whose face crawl with the ern Australia, ha s been especially per i tent Australian bush flies. Young infuriated by black resistance to min­ eye and ears run with pus . ing projects on Aboriginal land spear­ The ir anitation is two water taps headed by the militant Kimberley Land and two lavatories shared by 100 Council. The Council is partly funded people. Only the lucky ones have a by the World Council of Churches helter- huts made from scraps Programme to Combat Racism. foraged on the nearby rubbish dump. It Though the fi nanci ng has been only is a typical Aboriginal camp. small (a bout US $45,000 over the last " I have never seen poverty like th is, three years) it has given the Aborigines not even in Africa," says Bena-Silu, a a voice they could not otherwise have leader of Zaire's Kimbangui t Chris­ had in this million square mile western tian Church, a World Council of· third of Australia, paying for costl y Churches executive member and nu­ transport and communications to clear physicist well known in hi s publicize their claims. country for regular TV science pro­ Both Premier Court and Queens­ grams. He says he wi 11make a program land's Premier Mr. Johannes Bjelke­ about the Aborigines when he returns Petersen refused to meet the vi si ting home. church people. Comments like this, widely reported Australia's Aborigines " lived in (Opposite page) Community leader Mick by the Australia media, inflamed paradise, in clover," said Mr. Bjelke­ Ralag tells the WCC team of the eviction conservative opinion against the Petersen , challenging the right of the of his people from the Gordon Downs World Council of Churches team as it World Council of Churches to make cattle station in N.W. Australia. (Below, moved around the country for two any pronouncement on Australian left) Team member Bena Silu of Zaire looks over the shoulder of children at weeks to spend hundreds of hours rac ial issues . The visiting team was talking with the Aborigines in their school; (below, right) Andrew Bullion invited to Australia by the country's talks to his 18-month-old granddaughter poverty stricken camps and settle­ own council of churches. at Papunya Aboriginal Community; (bot­ ments al l over the lightly populated In Western Australia, the criticism of tom) children at the Papunya Community north of the continent, where most the state government was echoed by play on the roofs of dumped cars. Aborigines live. They comprise only one percent of th e 14 million people of this affluent society, yet they are mostly uneducat­ ed , unemployed and stricken with the health problems of a primary poverty everywhere. Lack of basic shelter and clean water supplies is at the heart of their plight, the wee team quickly lea rn ed. Gradually pushed back into Austra­ lia's harsh hinterland by the impact of British colonization begun 200 years ago, Aborigines were a negligible political force until the idealistic na­ tional Labor government of Mr. Gough W hitlam (1972-75) passed legislation givi ng them land rights-including mineral roya lties-in the orthern Territory of Australia. Some tribal grou ps will therefore be receiving millions of dollars in com­ pensation for uranium mined by the Ranger partnership in the orthern Territory. Similar rights are denied tribal people in other Australian states , under the complexities of the country's federal system of government. Among the most aggressive critics of the World Council of Churches mis­ sion were the Premiers of the mineral rich states of Western Australia and Queensland where the world's biggest mining companies have moved in to uranium, petroleum, and natural gas the influenti al Roman Catholic bi shop iss ue taken up firmly with the bishop of th e north -west, th e Most Reverend by Dr. Bena-Silu of Zaire when he met John Jobst, w ho refused to allow th e Bi shop Jobst in Western Australia. wee delegation to vis it hi s church' s " The Aborigines are intelligent, not controversial Kalamburu Miss ion, al so intellectual," said the bishop. because of its support for th e Aborigi­ " In Zaire, when we became inde­ nes ' Kim berl ey Land Council. pendent in 1960 there were just 15 Th e council had manipulated the university graduates in a population of miss ion's Aboriginal people and en­ 40 million," said Bena-Silu. " Now couraged them to demand that the there are thousand s. When we had our church hand over a nearby million own country, suddenly we were intel­ beef cattle pastoral property, the bi sh­ lectual .. . " op claimed. In Australia there are two Aboriginal The Kalumburu Miss ion and the lawyers, no Aboriginal doctors and a "cattl e station" are on land the Aborig­ few score with university degrees. The in es maintain is theirs by tribal tradi­ sad fringe camps the World Council of ti on dating back tens of thousands of Churches team saw are more typical of yea rs. black Australia than the model com­ At the former Anglican Forrest River munities they were also shown. M iss ion, ninety miles away, the WCC Programme to Combat Racism tea m members met an Aboriginal director Anwar Barkat was unim­ man , Mr. Clement Maraltaj, who told pressed to learn from federal govern­ how he had been banned and exiled ment officials they had spent about US from friends and fa mily at Kalumburu $34 million last year on Aboriginal by the mi ss ionaries for speaking out on welfare. " How much has gone to human rights-especially the Aborigi­ support white bureaucracies, the Ab­ nes' claim to recei ve their government original industry?" he asked . Too welfare checks in person instead of much, sa y Aboriginal Australians. having them handed over to the The land rights the Aborigines are mi ss ion administration, part of the calling for so passionately today have That West Australian Benedk tine commu­ little to do with monetary compensa­ churj nity. tion and everything to do with their miss Abor i ginal children there are ancient and sti II powerfu I spiritual alrea trained in si mple laboring and craft beliefs. persc work, w ith little higher education, an The uranium rich tribal people of the the r) Northern Territory rejected the mi I­ logia I ions of dollars they were offered in send compensation for mining on their long sacred sites, unti I they were forced to rathe accept the money by a conservative and Australian government. They had no Why right to say no. Re On their traditional tribal land, the easy Aborigines believe, they are at one with nature. Alienated from their careE country, they are lost souls with no 1960 sli pp meaning and purpose in their lives. for s This estrangement is deepening in the s Western Australia, especially where from the state government has refused to fait h allow the transfer of any land titles to Aboriginal groups, since an attempt to natio deve prevent oil drilling on a sacred burial site at Noonkanbah last year. It This despite the fact that federal missi money is available to buy several a lifE cattle station properties for Aboriginal profe groups with traditional claims to the own told area s. • the 0 auto nev Jan Mayman is a free lance A ustralian attai journalis t w ith a special background in (Top) Elders of the Oombulgurri Community in N.W. Australia tell their history to the team. ama (Above) At a news conference in Melbourne, from left to right: Pauline Webb, of the U.K.; A boriginal affairs. She accompanied th e wee tea m on part of its journey through plet Elisabeth Adler, of the GDR; Gary Foley, chair, of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee of I the the Australian Council of Churches; and Anwar Barkat, of Pakistan. A ustra lia. sur~ There is something seductive about highly nationalistic society. Most of authority and power. It is difficult to the new nations of the world have won relinquish . The missionaries were no their independence through some different from church leaders every­ kind of struggle which drew its strength where. They enjoyed their positions of from a spirit of national solidarity, or at authority just as do people in other least group loyalty. National loyalties professions everywhere. There were are good-up to a certain point. scores of reasons , some quite real , National and tribal loyalties with their why they felt they should not be jealousies and rivalries can be limiting replaced. But people in administration and harmful. Certainly within the who could be more objective saw the church a world vision is imperative if need for change in order that the the whole Gospel is to be proclaimed. church might be established in its new People of other cultures with different environment. perspectives and wider visions can do Thus, as the indigenous church much to keep the young and growing grew stronger, more missionaries were churches from becoming ingrown and replaced by Nationals until the transfer ultra-nationalistic. An international Ralph E. Dodge of power was complete. That is the and inter-cultural presence will help case in most churches around the any local church in its attempt to Twenty yea rs ago when I world today. No longer is the number become an integral part of the church submitted a manusc ript, the of missionaries on a given field a sign universal . publ is hers w anted to entitle of spirituality and success. In the In the fourth place, missionaries it Missionary Go Home. 1970's a mission with many mission­ carry financial support with them . It is W hen I demurred, we fi nally ar ies holding positions of authority not a question of whether church settled on the title, The might have been considered unsuc­ people shou Id be more responsive to Unpopular Missionary. cessfu I or poorly oriented in its past appeals from miss ionaries than from W ithin a few months an­ program . People who respond to the Nationals; it is a fact that they are more other book was pu blis hed w hole Gospe l grow rapidly into posi­ responsive. Nationals do not have the under the titl e I had refused. tions of Christian maturity, if given the personal contacts that missionaries That was the period w hen so me opportunity to do so. Consequently, do. Remove missionaries and the church officials fe lt that the days of few are the churches overseas which outside financial support for a strug­ missions were ending, if they had not now need missionaries in positions of gl ing church declines. Financial sup­ already ended, and that missionary authority. Why then , the call for port does fol low missionaries to a large personnel should be w ithdraw n from missionaries to return? degree. the field. At that time th ere w as so me In the first place, in all of the newer Although there is a question wheth­ logic in the call for a moratorium in nations w here the church has played a er generous support from the devel­ send ing mi ss ionaries . Th ere is no significant role in national develop­ oped nations is wholesome for devel­ longer an y re ason fo r moratorium , ment, there is stil l a lack of trained oping nations, it is generally conceded rather there is mu ch logic fo r renewing persons in many departments of gov­ to be helpful. Th is is true in church­ and increasing our missionary staff. ernment and public life and in the to-church relations. The economy of Why the change? church . This is a temporary need , as many new nations is so low that the Relinqui shing res ponsibility is not most governments will try urgently to developing chur h will be handi­ ea sy for anyone, anywhere, and many meet these needs through their own capped without some support from the career mi ss ionaries in th e 1950s and trai ning programs, but in the first few more affluent mother and sister 1960s felt their authority and statu s years or even decades there wi 11 be an churches. Missionaries enhance the slipping, as in reality it was. Th erefore, urgent need for outside expertise. Part flow of financial assistance . for some, pressure was needed from of this will come from the world pool Fifthly, conditions have changed . the sending agencies to di slodge them of specia lists who may or may not be There was a time, particularly in some from positions they had fi I led so Christians. If the church is prepared to areas, when missionaries were sus­ faithfully and well so th at untri ed do so, it can assure a Christian pect. They were suspected of being nationals could ga in experie nce and presence in many key positions at a power-hungry. They were suspected develop new skills. time of national need. of being allied with the colonial It w as a hard period for many career Secondly, there is an urgent need for powers. Some were even suspected of mi ss ionaries. Th ey were committed to back-up positions . The new leaders in being agents with the CIA. The re may a lifetime of se rvice in th ei r chosen many nations lack experience. Many have been some ground for uch profess ion. Even though, during their are fairly young and insecure, cover­ suspicion in some case . ow n training peri od, th ey had been ing this with heavy-handed control. The new generation of missionaries told that the successful mi ss ionary is They wi ll not yield their right of wi 11 not be perfect, but there i a the one w ho works himse lf or herse lf leadership, but they would welcome difference. Now they realize that they out of a job by training a national, they experienced resource persons to go out as he! pers rather than leaders. never anticipated that they would whom they can turn for counsel . Such Usually the new mis ionary i younger attain that degree of success. Th e consu ltative persons exercise tremen­ than hi s national colleague. The p - amazing res pon se of indi genous peo­ dous influence in a quiet way. chological po ition ha changed . ow ple to the Gospel message ca ught even Third ly, within the church itself they are req ue ted by th national the more progressive missionaries by there is an urgent need for the kind of church, not uperimpo ed without th surprise. objectivity that is difficu lt to find in a (Continued on p. 46) New World Outlook • 0 tober 1981 [425] 41 preferred wind instruments for congrega­ individuals. Their appearance at this time tional singing. The organ belonged in the is a timely addition to the European concert hal I. mission study theme . In his last eight years Barth see med to (C.E .B.) spe nd much of his letter w riti ng turning down invitations to speak at conferences or write articles in prestigious newspapers. ,V But he always had time to write something to the many "ordinary" people who had BOOKS written to him. .. An elderly woman in the city home in In November, The National Zurich wrote to say that she regularly read Council of Churches will cele­ Barth's books to a blind friend and they brate its 30th anniversary; KARL BARTH LETTERS 1961 -1968, were both grateful for them , particularly Cynthia Wedel takes a look at the translated by Geoffrey W . Bromiley. his sermons to prisoners, Deliverance to past and the futu re of the NCC. Wh Grand Rapids, 1981 : Eerdmans, 358 the Captives. Barth wrote back saying that What is the role of women in the Puertc pages, $18.95. her letter gave him more pleasure than the church? Out of the World Coun­ Methe eleven honorary degrees he'd received . cil of Churches' Consultation on When Karl Barth died in 1968 at the age deo, " God keep you and your friend and grant that subject, we bring you three of 82 his death was widely recognized as Schoo to both of you much of his incomparable perspectives. Our features on the end of an era . No longer would missio light. " mission around the world are theologians write multi-volume works of chi ldQ O n Ch ristian education, Barth urged unusually varied: re habi I itation the breadth and scope of this undeniable In Ji teachers to " tell the Bible stories, well or and self-help by lepers in India; giant of our day. And no longer would miss io badly, but do it." The God who was in an explosive church confronta­ European theology have quite the hold on discus Christ may be grasped as well or better by tion in South Africa; a look at the the rest of world Ch ristianity that it once the La children than adults and the mystery can new South Pacific nation of had . odist be brought home di rectly through Bible Van uatu ; health ministries in Even for reade rs not familiar with Barth's bamb; sto ries without "our clever interpreta­ Zaire; a poem by an Argenti ne massive Church Dogmatics and other Sorr tions. " This, from a man whose writings on woman whose relative has "dis­ writings this collection of his letters is a vea li n the Bible run into thousands of pages. appeared "; a mission staff's re­ fascinating glimpse into how the great man Consu In sum , these letters are a thoroughly treat in Jamaica ; and a former spent his ti me in his last decade. He ist sch delightful and absorbing mixture of pro­ missionary's return to Algeria. Al I seemingly read everything in European or ne· found concern for current theological and this, and more. produ and American theology. He kept up a church issues as well as compassion for sparkli ng dialogue with the Vatican on the phalis meaning of revelation-a dialogue con­ rec en and no ducted with the highest mutual respect on 1 both sides as wel I as with clarity and Is the women's and st firmness about differences. He wrote often movement churd to such figu res as Joseph Hromadka, the consistent with a educa Czech theologian, and Hans Kung and Karl cientl Rahner, the new Catholic theologians who deep biblical faith classes were just then begi nning to be read outside in Christ? benig Europe. most He was unsparing in his criticism of quest ic some fellow theologians. He thought defend Bishop John Robinson's little book Honest ThO! to Cod was a te rr ible work ("that fatal churc Woolwich"). Theologian Dorothee Solle al SUQ was " a lady of whom the only thing one thanks can really say is that that woman should tion, keep silence in the church." Jurge.n Molt­ the ir mann's Theology of Hope, which was to In "I'm ot a Span is become a major writing in American Women's Libber, rule. Fe seminaries in the early 70s , Barth found to But. .. : she tells from ti be "an interesting but unripe fruit. " In you why. sand 1 America, he liked the "good theology" of conde ~ John Deschner, but not that of Schubert ' and eal Ogden or Paul Van Buren . As for himself, Anne Fol lis is a homemaker, She helped found the wh ich Barth admitted " modesty has never been mother, wife of a minister, Homemaker' s' Equal Rights questio one of my outstanding qualities." and a writer who recounts Association , and travels And no But there is more than theology in these with honesty and humor her across the country to pro­ sh ips, c letters. We learn of Barth's fascination with persona l struggle to rema in mote it. fact. the American Civil War, his partisanship true to the Word of God and You won't want to miss All a! for the Southern cause, and the paradox of at the same time recognize ' her fascinating story. $7.95 th is interest alongside his own professed the rea li ties of the world in and deeply felt pacifism . In 1962 he made which we live. Her exami­ a much publicized visit to the USA and nation of the legal rights of of your cokesbury boo~slore toured Gettysburg. He admired the music homemakers and of the of Mozart and thought, only half jokingly, Scriptures has convinced that the Vatican ought to beatify Mozart. At her that the women's move­ the same time, he thought organ music was ment is consistent with her c:rnfhe book publishing deportment or ~ •. out of place in church services; he Christian be li efs. the united mefhodlsl oubllshlno house

42 (426] New World Outlook • October 1981 of Latin America cannot " afford" church­ with Mr. Galway that the most truly related schools, in every sense of the word . Christian marriage is monogamous, it is no And if the church is to take seriously the longer possible in Africa simply to say that Gospel's call to " preach the Good News to marriages must be monogamous and that the poor," it must discover what the polygamists have no place in the emptying out of the Incarnation means for church .. . . Are we to countenance di­ its ed ucational life. Whatever else it may vorce? What is to happen to the woman mean , I suspect it does not mean doing who is a second or thi rd wife after her bigger, better and at more expense what it husband puts her away? Is she being ha s been doing for the last umpteen yea rs. treated with respect and love? LETTERS Randall R. Hansen It is, of cou rse, really irrelevant for us as Montevideo, Uruguay Westerners to be discussing the problems any longer. It is African Christians who Teaching the Rich He is a UM miss ionary . must find the answer to the problem, and While I have no fi rst-hand knowledge of they are continuing to struggle with it. ... Puerto Rico, as former chaplain of the We iri the United States certainly have Methodist-re lated sc hool here in Montevi­ More On Polygamy little to offer the African Ch ristians as we deo, the debate as to whether Robinson I have been a missionary in Africa for 23 ourselves are faced with an increasing School (NWO, May, 1981 ) is rea lly in yea rs , and during that time have given number of divorces, teen-age pregnancies, mission si nce it serves basically well-to-do much thought to polygamy. I feel that I and promiscuity. We as well as our African children, rings sadly familiar to me. must answer the letter by Desma Galway siste rs and brothers must seek pra yerfu ll y In July of last yea r, th is w hole issue of the (June, 1981 ) which responds to Paul to know and follow God's will for marriage mi ssio n of church-related sc hools was Boe k's thoughtful article in the March New and family life . discussed and , at times , hotly debated at World Outlook. Esther Megi 11 the Lat in American Consultation of Meth­ There is not space here to enter into the Knoxvi I le, TN odist Educational Institutions, in Cocha­ many arguments for and against polygamy. bamba, Bolivia. But I would like to say that while I agree She is a UM missionary. Some of the more intere sting and re­ vealing facts to come to light during the Consultation were : that almost all Method­ ist schools in Latin America were begun at or near the turn of the ce ntury, and are products of that epoch's theological trium­ MOVING phal is m; that almost all are (o r were , until recently) control led directly from the U.S. , AHEAD and not locally; that almost all were begun and sti 11 operate on the philosophy that the church's primary pedagogical mission is to with TRAINED educate an elite, which in turn, if suffi­ ciently Christianized with " core rel igion LEADERSHIP classes ," or what have yo u, will become benign ru lers of their people; that within most sc hools, this philoso phy is being questioned by at least some, and sta unchly defended by others .... Those who defe nd the existence of church-related schools tend to ci te perso n­ al success examples-individuals who, thanks to their church sponsored educa­ tion, were able to pu ll themse lves up by MINISTERIAL EDUCATION FUND their boot straps. Yet, as the saying goes in Span is h, the exceptions only prove the Few other gifts can bring you more immediate and lasting rule. For every one of those who benefited benefits or help insure the future of the United Methodist Church. from the system, there are I iteral ly thou­ The Ministerial Education Fund underwrites these basic sa nd upon thou sa nd s who have been responsibilities: • Training for over 2000 students in our condemned to a life of poverty, disease 13 United Methodist seminar.ies • Continuing education for and early death, si nee the system within clergy in all avenues of ministry. The first 25~ of each which the schools operate is rarely ever dollar remains in your annual conference for the continuing questioned , and is thus rendered invisible. And no amount of tinkering with sc holar­ education of your pastor - all pastors - a new requirement ships, quotas or curricul um can alter that of our denomination. fact. The balance provides basic support for each United Methodist Al I of this is to say that the disadvantaged seminary helping prepare men and women for ministry. TRAINED LEADERSHIP IS A MUST. YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE M.E.F. IS ESSENTIAL. WOODEN 12" O RNAMEITTAL PLATES • ' d1ffl'n•nt <.C't'n<""i ava1lahl<' • Scm<""i arawd from q•vt'nl fmt· woOO" To learn more about the Ministerial Education Fund write: • f..;it h plat(' 1nd1 v1du•ll v handc:rahcd • Mak<· umqu<' & lm•rlv ,lllh" MEF, P.O. Box 871, Nashville, TN 37202 12' (W) l'OI{ h rrd V a n~1d('nl .. .1dd I\% Ylt.., t.i'I Pl<'it""' )!1\'t''ilr<'('I ad

'.'.laster Charge & Visa Welcome.

New World Outlook• October 1981 (427] 43 like nial t was." THE llOYlllG NO FlllGER WRITEStr ~~ Ch r fast ir l,000 left in ployed young people, arise to God like for the 1980s, it wou Id have to develop AFRICAN CHURCH COUNCIL SEEKS histo the cry of Abel's blood," he said . new methods of approach, rid itself of WESTERN FUNDING The Taking note of the conference' s its " elitist" framework, and show more Pa ul In a reversal of policy, the new current estimated deficit of $2 .5 mil­ concern for the needs of the rural poor. for th general secretary of the All Africa lion, Mr. Rafransoa said the " financial Th is new approach, he said , cal Is for Christ Conference of Churches has cal led for crisis is a logical outcome of a the "total engagement of all and who renewed fi nancial support from West­ confidence crisis." He said the finan­ sundry in the African church, includ­ fi ndin ern churches. cial crunch might also be ascribed to ing ministers and theologians. Yes, and t In the past the All Africa Conference " a growth crisis,· too rapid a growth, indeed, I have ranked theologians of Churches was inclined to downplay like a teenager who grows too quickly Couni among the simple Christians engaged Mr. the need for outside assistance, in a and makes his clothes burst at the in our common struggle, because a move to rid itself of the " stigma" of seams ." theologian must be simple in order to instab being a " missionary" target of Western The secretary general said that if the be understood and to be able to and t ~ churches. conference were to fu lfi 11 its mandate understand. He must be born again for Cf But in a quiet about-face, the Rev . " T ~ Maxime Rafransoa of Madagascar, Midd who became conference general sec­ vul ne retary in October 1980, expressed THE12 is rais gratitude to " all brotherly ecumenical said. organizations, particularly those BLACK the c whose moral and financial support ) e wi s ~ have helped to sustain the confer­ COLLEGES Wi t ence." PROVIDE ers pfi He expressed the new policy in an address at the fourth assembly of the EDUCATIONAL 13-year-old conference, made up of OPPORTUNITIES 118 Protestant and Orthodox Christian Throughout our history The churches. United Methodist Church - and About 500 delegates and observers its predecessor churches - has provided opportunities for attended the recent parley, held at a college and university education. teachers' college in the Kenyan capi­ For more than 100 years the tal. The organization' s new Nairobi Black colleges of our headquarters is unfinished for lack of denomination have provided a funds . significant portion of that Mr. Rafransoa voiced the hope that opportunity. the conference would develop into a The 12 Black colleges of United Methodism offer - " mature partner" of Western O Superior academic instruction churches, but not at the expense of its O Unique experiences of ethnic leadership authentic African nature. O Specialized programs in mass communications and " Our integrity and our identity have fine arts priority over financial needs," he said. O Extensive possibilities for personal growth " The African church shou ld be Afri­ O Stimulation of intellectual and social development within can. " a caring community. The 46-year-old ecumenical leader also emphasized the need of the The 12 Black colleges of United Methodism offer 12 avenues conference to make " prophetic evan­ to excellence in higher education. - gelism" its major commitment for the 1980s. Support the BLACK COLLEGE FUND " The Gospel is our prime concern," B~ NNETT CLAR K H USTO N TI LLO TSON DILi.ARD he said . " Evangel ism remains the first M O RRI STO WN RUST M EHARRY MEDICAL PAINE priority for most churches in Africa. " PHILA NDER SMIIB BmlU N E-COOK MAN CLAFLIN WILE Y Mr. Rafransoa, a former relief offi­ cial of the World Counci I of Churches, J:'1 For more information contact. The Black College Fund, went on to plead for continued con­ ~ P.O. Box 871 , Nashvi lie TN 37202 cern for social justice. " The cries of our oppressed women, of our unem-

44 [428] New World Outlook• October 1961 like Nicodemus. He must be conge­ Jeru salem Mayor Tedd y Kol lek criti­ religious pilgrimages to and our inter­ nial to women and children as Jesus ci ze the lack of international support est in the Holy Land s are matched with was ." (RNS) for the one percent of hi s city's learn ing about the crisi s and suffering population who are Chri stian . there, then we ca n become better " Kollek told me, 'If your churches NO MORE CHRISTIANS LEFT IN ad vocates for justice," he said . (RNS) MIDDLE EAST? are concerned about the Christian presence in Jeru salem, then let your SALVATION ARMY LEAVES Christians are leaving the Middle churches strengthen the Christian wee OVER RACISM GRANT East in such numbers that " by the year communities with resources,' " he 2,000, there may not be any Christians said. Mr. Crow said he agreed that The Sal vation Army has w ithdrawn left in the very places sacred to church " our church pol icies could contribute from membership in the World Coun­ history." more to the climate of peace." cil of Churches three years after it The assessment came from the Rev . " When we Christians emotionally suspended its participation in the Paul A. Crow Jr., ecumenical officer withdraw from Jerusalem , regarding ecumenical organization. for the Christian Church (Disciples of the Holy Places as museums, we are It is the second body to leave the Christ) headquartered in Indianapolis, allowing a spiritual center of the world World Council to protest an $85 ,000 who returned recently from a fact­ to become controlled solely by politi­ grant to the Patriotic Front of Zim­ finding tour of Israel , the West Bank cal forces," he said . babwe given in 1978 by the ecumen i­ and Egypt sponsored by the World He called the continued presence of cal organization's Special Fund to Council of Churches. Christians in the politically troubled Combat Racism . The Presbyterian Mr. Crow blamed the political region vital to " any ultimate solution Church of Ireland left the World instability and poverty of the region to the Middle East. " Such a solution to Council in protest in June 1980. and the lack of support internationally the conflict between Israelis and Arab In a letter of w ithdrawal, the Army's for Christians living in the area . Palestinians will require " productive Gen . Arnold Brown pledged that the " The Christian presence in the dialogue" mediated by " courageous body would continue to support the Middle East-most of it Orthodox-is people willing to be sensitive to both World Council's programs in evange­ vulnerable because no political power parties and willing to risk being lism, interchurch aid, and medical is raising its voice in support of it," he misunderstood by both. This is where work. He asked the ecumenical organ­ said . " Christians often are caught in the churches can be helpful," he said . ization to permit the Army to continue the cross-fire between Muslim and Visiting American Christians can a " fraternal status" with it. Jewish political aspirations." improve their witnesses in the Holy At its meeting in Dresden, East With 50 Jewish and Christian lead­ Land by visiting both Arab vi II ages and Germany, the World Council's Cen­ ers present, Mr. Crow said he heard Israeli kibbutzes, he suggested . " If our tral Committee granted the request for

TWenty provocative essays detail Hlstorlcal Perspectives on the Jives of women in the Am erican religious tradition. the \\eslegan Tradition • Women's Place WOMEN in New Worlds . • •

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New World Outlook• October 1981 [429] 45 fraternal status but "rejected the im­ (Viewpoint-continued from p. 4 7) much as the growing younger church. plication in the Army's letter that the knowledge or desire of the national That is why the World Division is using World Council is motivated by politics leadership of the receiving church . the term " home assignment" for mis­ rather than the Gospel ," according to Now they usually go for a term or a sionaries home on furlough, to indi­ a wee announcement. task rather than for a fu 11 I ife span . cate that interpretation, education and The WCC announcement also " re­ But the main difference is that now cultivation among U.S. churches is a gretted that the Salvation Army has felt missionaries are earnestly sought for legitimate part of their job description. its nonsacramental character to be in and they are assigned to the position Although their function or place of tension with the World Council's for which they were requested and for operation may change from genera­ search for eucharistic fellowship, one which no local person could be found . tion to generation; even though the of several points in the prolonged Having been asked for, they can also direction of their travel may reverse discussion over the past few years." be dismissed if they are no longer itself, missionaries are still urgently It noted that the Salvation Army was needed or if they malfunction. needed. Missionaries should both one of the founders of the World Lastly, the missionary is an impor­ come and go ; a two-way traffic is Counci l in 1948, and stated that the tant link to the life and the well-being needed. The title may change from Counci l's theological basis for mem­ of the sending church. He or she helps missionary to fraternal worker or bersh ip has remained unchanged to maintain its world vision. He or she whatever, but the commission to share since then. challenges it to share more generous­ the Gospel of Jesus Christ will ever be When the Salvation Army suspend­ ly. He or she helps others to see with us. Go ye therefore . ... not only ed its membership in the World themselves in the mirror of world to the unevangelized areas of the Council of Churches in 1978, it stated opinion. What the Peace Corps has world but also to assist the newly a that "it is the use of violence to which done for America politically, the established churches. • ~ rais we ra ise our objections." (RNS) missionary has done and continues to Ralph E. Dodge, now retired, has served as do for the church . The static, estab­ a miss ionary, board executive and bishop --·H. lished church needs the missionary as o f The United Methodist Church . P. Se 'P~u '*""" e~Td Na eue Ltwel'f 7ae Ad Avelllllle In Ci white or bled& Te 6" tile or white 6" round tile. • Minimum Olds !iO tile. •W...... photo ....-...... ,print note..... Church Bulletlne, ,_ C.rdl • Chrilt- Cerdl FREE SAWLES AND ILLUSTRATED LITERATURE· Write: PRESTON-HOPKINSON CO. Dept. NW, Appomattox, Virginia 24522 APPEARANCE Does Make a Difference

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46 (430) New World Outlook • October 1981 A JOURNAL OF CHRISTIAN CONCERN FOR PEOPLE AND THEIR WORLD

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New World Outlook • October 1981 (431 ] 47 RT OF MISSION Prayer support is at the heart of mission. The Prayer Calendar takes you around the world to cover the global ministries of our church in the fellowship of prayer. Quota­ tions, pictures and meditations add inspiration along the way. A new set of maps, specially prepared for this Prayer Calen­ dar, are a visual plus. There are geographical lists of mission workers, both U.S. and inter­ national. Addresses of mis­ sionaries, retirees and US- 2s are included. Mission study themes for 1982, Islands of the Pacific and Oneness in Christ, are reflected in quotations. The Bible study of He­ brews is also featured. An adventure in mis- sion awaits you. Order your 1982 Prayer Cal­ . endar n-ow. Copies will be off press in time for Christmas gift giving. An appro­ priate card will be sent upon request. Sale $2.85.

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