Warren D. Carter

e-mail: 100771.1347@CompuServe.com

19.11.96

EAST/ CENTRAL EUROPE CASE STUDY

The Arrival

The plane set down at Kempton National Airport. Terry and Sandra Connors had been looking forward to this day for three long years. And now there were here. The Republic was now their new home, and they were determined to make a difference here. Terry even remembered the first teenager he saw in the airport. "I wonder if he'll meet the Saviour while we're here," he thought.

The local church threw their arms open wide to welcome the Connors. It was a louder reaction than they had been led to believe was possible from the "quiet" people of the Republic. But, it felt great. Yes, struggles would come – but they were wanted and needed here.

First Steps

Brother Paul, the Pastor, was especially warm. He quickly brought Terry into his confidence and was soon sharing many of his ministry burdens and personal insights of others in the congregation. This was a privilege Terry was not going to take lightly! It was especially sobering as he started relationships with others in the church, having so much prior background information about them and their problems.

After nearly a year of settling in, Terry thought it was about time to share his vision with Brother Paul. Up until now, the Connors had been mostly listening and learning. Terry felt pretty good about the reception his ideas had received – but then as he was re-telling it to Sandra over supper, he realized there was an unsettledness growing in him. Brother Paul wanted the youth to have their own identity and develop as a group, but the steps he suggested couldn't be implemented for some time. Terry had agreed with Paul when he cautioned against too quick of a move that could upset the other leaders in the church. Brother Paul promised Terry that he would be alerted when the time was right.

The next day, Terry had two chance conversations which deeply confirmed his belief that the time for a youth group was now. One was with the choir director's daughter. She pleaded with him to help the young people in the church do what Terry had done in the States: bring a fragmented bunch of teens into a group that facilitates each others' walks with God. The second was with a local hooligan that Terry had met at a soccer game. After an hour of pleasantries, serious questions surfaced. The circumstances had created a safe environment for asking questions, and ended with these words from the rowdy, "I wish I had a chance to think about this heart stuff more often."

The next events are complicated to describe. Terry tactfully and courageously tried many different baby steps to get the youth group proposal accepted. He even began meeting informally with some on an "unannounced" basis. He continued to ponder all of Brother Paul's objections, but struggled with the balance of staying under his authority, and yet doing what he came to the Republic to do. To complicate matters, the last month was filled with conversations with frustrated elders and leaders in the church, who through different circumstances, had been deeply hurt by Brother Paul's relationship style.

An Intervention

"If you have something against your brother, go to him . . . " Terry needed to respect Brother Paul enough to speak to him honestly about what he was feeling, and what some others may have felt too.

It didn't go well. Brother Paul was quick to point out that listening to rumors and gossip would poison Terry's mind, and that many people in the church conspire to have the kind of position Paul has. Paul uses the position to lead and serve, while others would just use it to build their own kingdoms. Paul hoped Terry wouldn't fall to the same temptation to go around authority to build his own kingdom. When Terry suggested that he could invest some energy in influencing other youth groups from different churches, Brother Paul explained how that would be interpreted as disloyalty in this culture, by the elders of the church. Further, it would scar the reputation of their church within the Christian community, since it would appear that their members had no convictions. Brother Paul sympathized with how hard it is to live in the Republic – compared to the States – where he reflected, it's normal and accepted for Americans to bounce from church to church without commitment; "but that would not work here!"

The Aftermath

The confusion for Terry was exacerbated by alternating wonderful experiences with Paul, and then these stifling ones. As time went on, it was clear they had to put the cards on the table once again. The possibility of ending their ministry relationship was discussed – and even encouraged, it seemed, by Paul; but Terry deeply wanted to make it work. He was now seeing how so many people had been affected by this prominent leader, and he prayed and hoped he could be an agent of chance in the situation.

Sandra had not gone unaffected by this. She loved the Sunday morning program for her daughter, but really didn't appreciate the way Brother Paul seemed to affect her husband. Brother Paul tried often to clarify his intentions, in an effort to make her feel better, so it seemed. Terry appreciated Brother Paul's efforts, but found himself wishing that he be present when these casual conversations took place. Many days were filled with such anxiousness.

But Sandra was loving her flowers and neighbors, and Terry was feeling more at home in the community. He enjoyed his small office at the church, and loved being part of one of the most strategic churches in the Republic. It was difficult, of course, that another couple who had gone through training with them, were now leading a new youth group for the past six months ... but he was reminded as he read his Bible, that God's timing is perfect. The other couple called constantly to encourage them, and always humbly entered into the Connor's situation, sharing in their pain.

Technology Arrives!

Mail call was Sandra's favorite moment of the day. But Terry got it first today. And just as he had hoped, in it was a notice that their computer had arrived and was waiting to be picked up. E-mail and FAX's would now be possible. "The new ability to connect with the outside world will deeply encourage my wife", he thought as he raced into the Post Office five minutes before it closed.

He filled out the right papers. The clerk asked for the registry number for the church. Embarrassed, he asked if he could call and get it using the Post Office phone. He briefly explained the circumstances to the secretary at the church, and then asked for the number. She reluctantly gave it. Terry signed his name, but had a twinge of hesitation as he read the words on the form, Authorizing Signature. Those thoughts quickly melted as he sped home with his new treasure in the back seat.

A Crisis

The call the next morning quickly shattered the joy they'd felt of reading 30 messages they received the first time they got connected on-line. He went quickly to Brother Paul's office. "Pastor would not have time today to see him", he was told.

As he left the building, the secretary caught up with him and leaked the heart-breaking news. He had signed an official document using the church's authority – and he was in big trouble. Not only was Pastor furious, but he had contacted the lawyer on the elder board, inquiring about the actions that might be taken.

The Response

As Terry contemplated attempts to apologize, he was infuriated – or deeply hurt, he didn't know which – by how false the accusations seemed. He knew he was wrong to have signed the paper, and shouldn't have been so impatient at the Post Office ... but he knew Brother Paul's response was stemming from something bigger.

It was obvious to Terry that he needed to seek reconciliation, but how to go about that was unclear. It was further complicated by his keen desire to get on with the ministry he believed God had called him to. His next decisions would have significant implications for where he would end up living, what his ministry would be, and even if his team leader would want him to continue serving with the team. Terry's next actions are important, but potentially more crucial are the convictions and priorities that drive his decisions.

Your Turn …

In deciding Terry's next move, please prioritize the following:

1. Making peace with Brother Paul

2. Preserving the reputation of the church in the eyes of other Christians

3. Confronting Brother Paul on this controlling tendencies

4. Ministering to other leaders in the church

5. Building a youth group

6. Helping youth groups in other churches

7. Comforting his wife by not moving (although Terry was beginning to think about it)

8. Dealing with his hurt and anger

9. Submitting to the Pastor of his sponsoring church in the Republic

10. Placing his drive/ need for ministry "on the back burner"

11. Influencing the choice of locations for new teammates

12. Other(s) ______________________________________

How long would you persevere in your chosen strategy, before calling it quits?

How would you communicate this situation to your prayer partners and commending churches?

What would be the best response to any threats of legal proceedings to force you out?

If you leave …

Would you surrender your very hard-to-come-by residence visa, which was sponsored by Brother Paul?

How would you communicate to someone considering coming to work with Brother Paul?

What would your parting words be to the young people? … to Brother Paul?