Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Professional Dissertations DMin Graduate Research 1998 A Strategy for Public Evangelism in Russia Mikhail K. Morar Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Morar, Mikhail K., "A Strategy for Public Evangelism in Russia" (1998). Professional Dissertations DMin. 710. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/710 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Professional Dissertations DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT A STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC EVANGELISM IN RUSSIA by Mikhail K. Morar Adviser: Bruce L. Bauer ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: A STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC EVANGELISM IN RUSSIA Name of researcher: Mikhail K. Morar Name and degree of faculty adviser: Bruce L. Bauer, D. Miss. Date completed: July 1998. Problem After Perestroika ushered in new opportunities for public evangelism in Russia, local and foreign evangelists have been baptizing thousands of new converts every year. The rapid growth resulting from these crusades has brought about new challenges. This study analyzes some of the challenges associated with public evangelism in Russia and suggests a strategy to improve the long­ term results of these campaigns. Method A descriptive analysis of John Carter's 1992 evangelistic campaign in Nizhniy Novgorod city was conducted in order to suggest ways to improve long-term results from public campaigns. The strengths and weaknesses of evangelistic campaigns in Russia are discussed. A practical strategy for conducting public evangelism in Russia is clearly presented which covers the pre­ evangelism phase, the conducting of the crusade, and the post- evangelism phase. Results The socio-political conditions which prevailed in Communist-dominated Russia made public evangelism an inappro­ priate method of evangelism until 1989. After the dismantling of Communism unlimited doors for public evangelism in Russia were opened. Today public evangelism is the major source of church growth in Russia. A major problem facing Russian evangelists, however, is a high attrition rate among new members. Several factors have contributed to this. First, there was little effort among Russian pastors toward building a proper concept of evangelism among members. Furthermore, most members were mere spectators while the local pastors and conference officials dominated the crusade management. Therefore, evangelists need to ensure that the local church is empowered to make the crusade their own. Evangelists have a tendency towards preoccupation with the actual conducting of the crusade while neglecting pre- and post­ evangelism phases. Obstacles to success during the pre­ evangelism phase include misallocation of resources, lack of entry events, and failure to draw up action plans. The conducting of the crusade is often hampered by the lack of a system for distributing incentives and neglecting various cultural factors. The greatest need, however, is for a properly planned and funded follow-up phase. The biblical model of discipling has not been implemented and churches are failing to assimilate thousands of new members. Conclusion The purpose of this paper is to suggest a strategy for public evangelism in Russia in order to meet the needs of the pre-evangelism, the evangelism, and the post-evangelism phases of public crusades. Each evangelist, whether local or foreign, should give adequate priority to follow-up plans even before the crusade begins, and properly meet the many needs of spiritually mature members as well as new members. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary A STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC EVANGELISM IN RUSSIA A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Mikhail K. Morar November 1998 A STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC EVANGELISM IN RUSSIA A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Ministry by Michael K. Morar APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: (jlt-Gnuto Adviser, Director of D.Min. Program Bruce Bauer Ricardo Norton^ Dean^Sj3A-Tt^eblogical Seminary tferner Vyhmeister Natalia Loving wife and mother of my daughter Annushka, sons Konstantin and Ellijah, faithful helpmate and devoted Christian. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF T A B L E S .......................................... viii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ........ ■ . •.............................. 1 P u r p o s e ........................... 1 Justification ........................................ 1 Methodology ...... ................................ 5 2. POLITICAL SITUATION AND CHRISTIANITY IN THE FORMER USSR AND PRESENT RUSSIA.............................. .. 7 Russia ................................................ 7 Christianity in Russia ................................ 9 Church and State in Russia Today .................... 14 Relationship Between SDAs and the Orthodox Church . 19 Development of SDA Evangelism in Russia ............ 21 Evangelism in Russia, 1880-1917 22 Evangelism, 1917-1985 29 Evangelism, 1985 to Present .................... 36 Zaokski Theological Seminary .................. 39 Soviet Officials Visit the General Conference . 40 Innovations in Evangelism .................... 44 Public Evangelism Explosion .................. 48 Public Evangelism and Church Growth .......... 54 3. DESCRIPTION, ANALYSIS, AND EVALUATION OF JOHN CARTER'S 1992 C R U S A D E ......................... 59 Description of Nizhniy Novgorod .................... 59 History ........... 60 Economy . 60 Population, Language, and Culture .............. 61 Education ...................................... 62 The SDA Church in Nizhniy Novgorod .................. 62 Public Evangelism Explosion .................... 64 Church Growth .................................. 65 Mass Media Evangelism .......................... 66 Description of Carter's Crusade .................... 66 The Evangelist.................................. 66 IV How It All B e g a n ................................ 6.7 Timing of Carter's Crusade .................... 70 Preparation and Organization .................... 71 Prayer Groups........................ 74 Advertising.................................. 77 Entry Events.................................. 8 0 The Crusade .................................... 8 0 First D a y .................................... 81 Daily Crusade Program ........................ 84 A Cultural Aspect ............................ 84 Sermons...................................... 85 Seating Arrangement .......................... 86 Distribution of Literature .................... 87 B a p t i s m ...................................... 87 Church Planting .............................. 88 Follow-up Plans ................................ 89 Analysis of Long-Term Results ...................... 89 The Theoretical Basis of Analysis .............. 90 Analysis of Pre-Evangelism Phase ................ 93 Analysis of Public Meetings .................... 98 Visitation Program ............................ 103 M u s i c ..........................................104 Seating Arrangement .......................... 105 Field School....................................106 Time Constraints................................106 Baptismal Arrangements ........................ 106 Churches Planted .............................. 108 Analysis of Dropout Factors ........................ 109 4. DEVELOPMENT OF AN IMPROVED STRATEGY FOR PUBLIC EVANGELISM IN RUSSIA .................................. 115 The Concept of Evangelism............................115 Ellen White's Concept of Evangelism and Adventist History ............................ 115 Drawbacks to the Traditional Concept of Evangelism ....................................118 Model Concept of Evangelism for R u s s i a ............ 119 Perception of Public Evangelism in Russia .......... 125 Planning for Evangelism ............................ 128 Revival First S t e p ....................................129 Formation of Committees ........................ 133 Meeting the Board ................................133 Action Plan ......................................138 Specific Activities (Tasks) .................. 141 Time Frame (Dates) .............................. 142 Persons Responsible ........................ '. 142 Resources and Budget............................143 Steps to F o l l o w ................................143 v Evangelism Committees . 144 Finance Committee ............................ 146 Prayer Groups ................................ 152 Secretarial Team . 155 Usher Committee................................156 Public Relations Committee .................... 157 Transportation Committee ...................... 159 Supplies/Materials Committee .................. 160 Visitation Committee .......................... 160 Music Committee................................161 Food Committee.................................. 164 Equipment Committee ..................... 165 Committee for the H a n d i c a p p e d .................. 166 Telephone Evangelism Committee ................ 168 Security Committee ............................ 169 Platform Committee ............................ 170 Bookstand Committee