Interchurch Dialogue On The Missions Field

I have always been suspicious of the mainline ecumenical movement which I see as a compromising project. Not much left to compromise lately because the mainline is mostly non-Christian. However, I am equally suspicious of the tendency some have to say there are no true believers or true churches outside their own tradition.

These last four years on the missions field have made me realize the following: when thinking of other churches we are used to think in terms of ”us vs. them” because during the Reformation and after it, there were many confessional battles. I think those confessional debates are still important, but now the setting has changed.

For example, only 5% of the population of Bucharest attends a church service on Sunday. My analysis is very generous as this number includes all churches which subscribe to the Nicene Creed. Therefore, the ”us vs. them”, as relevant as it might seem, has to do only with 5% of the population.

The rest of 95% of people are more or less unchurched, dechurched, or somewhat religious (but only in a superstitious sense). That 95% is, of course, nominally Eastern Orthodox, but rejects most Eastern Orthodox teaching and practice. In my opinion, it is pointless to focus on debating the 5% hardcore religious people who have their mind already set. The real question is: who can reach the 95% with the Gospel?

Since the beginning of this year I became part of a TV show where priests and pastors meet to discuss theology. It is a live 2 hour show with a decent number of people watching every week. The show fosters a public dialogue which highlights both the things we share in common with other Christians and also the things which set us apart.

For our church plant, it is a wonderful opportunity to share the Reformed views on a national platform. The people who watch the show have the opportunity to hear and take into consideration the Reformed arguments. Several people have contacted me after watching the show and a few have even visited the church. I hope this channel of communication will be used by the Lord for the advancement of his kingdom.

In the TV studio with an Eastern Orthodox priest and a Baptist pastor for a show on the sign and meaning of the cross.