Lausanne World Pulse – World Pulse Archives – World Pulse Archives

I haven’t preached in three months,” the pastor told me wistfully. It wasn’t that this Croatian pastor had nothing to say. He yearned for the opportunity to provide the consistent, solid teaching he believed his people needed.

But it was 1991, and Yugoslavia and the rest of Eastern Europe was overrun with visiting European and American Christians, each of whom expected to preach or at least “say a few words” to the congregation.

Sometimes three or four uninvited visitors showed up at a single service. Then things got tricky. How do you divide the speaking responsibilities when you don’t have a clue as to who these people are? But hospitality demanded that you allow them to speak.

Eventually congregations began to complain, pastors got fed up, and common sense won out over cultural notions of hospitality. Eastern Europe became less popular, and the floodgates slowed the deluge of wanna-be preachers to a trickle. Many of those who trickled in didn’t come to take the pulpit for a day, but to stay and live and work among the people.

Those outsiders who chose to move in, get to know the people and do needed work were appreciated. “Are you here for the long haul?” was the question on the lips of locals. So many Westerners had come and gone. Some promised to return; some promised to send resources. Many, if not most, of those well-intended promises were never kept.

Ultimately, people became cynical of the motives of the “hit-and-run” visitors. Why are they taking so many pictures? Why do they have to be photographed in the pulpit? Is their visit just a fundraising ploy? People began to suspect they were being used.

The problem was not limited to the church. A newly-opened Eastern Europe also drew secular visitors: people offering consulting, one-off conferences and training of all kinds. Local reaction was similar to that of church members—initial enthusiasm followed by cynicism.

“Parachute training” was how one local journalist dubbed the kind of secular journalism training available. Trainers dropped in and then disappeared forever; neither the trainers nor the groups that sponsored them were ever seen again. Promises of support were not kept, and the local media struggled on as before.

The desire to help is commendable. When a country or region opens up for the first time in many years, the outside world sees need and scrambles at the opportunity for service. But often people overrate how much help a one-time visitor can provide.

If we sincerely want to help, we need to be willing to do the unglamorous work of assessing the need, talking with local leaders, and preparing to do the needed tasks—not once, but consistently. We may need to bring in outside experts for short projects. But are we willing to provide follow-up to assess the project’s value and keep working to achieve results?

Individuals and groups that cared about Eastern Europe and served there when it was technically “closed,” were readily accepted after the doors opened. Because of their knowledge of the region, previous ministry—and above all, commitment—they were ready to establish effective ministries. Many of the strongest works in Eastern Europe today were founded in the years before it opened to the outside world.

Some day China—a land of more than a billion people—will open. Many individuals and groups are already deeply committed to minister to the Chinese church to the limited extent now possible. They will be in an excellent position to make a significant impact when the doors finally open.

Christians who would like to make a difference in a currently closed country should begin preparing now—before it opens. Learn about the country and its people. Begin praying for it and mobilize others who are willing to commit to accomplishing something important there. Look for ways to get involved now so that when it opens, a foundation to build on has already been laid.

How about the rest of us? How are we going to handle that “next big thing” when it happens? Will we hinder the church’s development by overwhelming its Christian leaders with our well-intentioned hit-and-run visits? Or will we be ready to go in and support the national church—to help it find its way and develop its potential in the turbulent wake of a radically-changing society?

Sharon Mumper directs the Magazine Training Institute (MTI) from Austria. MTI equips Christian magazine publishers in East-Central Europe and Asia.