Non-traditional ministry opportunities abound in Europe

President of LifeWay Research Ed Stetzer led a group of pastors to Krakow, Poland, to explore how non-traditional churches can put their faith into action alongside International Mission Board (IMB) workers in sharing the Gospel in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

“The opportunity for partnering here is great in Krakow and other cities across urban Europe, for churches to engage in God’s global mission through church planting and evangelism,” Stetzer said. “We can reach (people) together … through partnership.”

Pastors met with missionaries based in Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic to learn of ministry strategies and how their stateside church communities can be directly involved.

Steve Brown serves in eastern Czech Republic, and noted the need for American believers to come and meet nationals on their level in order to most effectively communicate the Gospel.

“We want to meet people where they’re at, and share Christ with them,” Brown said. “We want people to hang out at pubs … to go to cafes and spend time together … that’s what means a lot to Czech people, and that’s where they hang out.”

Many of the missionaries said partners can come through alternate routes, not just through IMB channels.

“We’re looking for churches that are like-minded, have a heart for missions, and that want to trust God’s plan … to come and work with us,” Brown said.

Trey Shaw, who helps organize ministries in Budapest, Hungary, noted the simplicity of stateside churches getting involved.

“Call me, and we’ll work it out,” he said. “Seriously, it’s that easy.”

Jeff Noble, pastor of Journey Church in Monticello, Ark., encouraged pastors to take action immediately.

“Do it yesterday,” he said.

Rick White, pastor of City View Church in Keller (Fort Worth), Texas, agreed.

“(Europe) is kind-of a forgotten continent. I would tell pastors … ‘Get in the game. Stop talking and get involved.’ The first step … is just getting on a plane,” he said.

“The great commission is bigger than all of us,” said Mark Edworthy, CEE interim regional leader. “We would love for you to come and connect for a week … (or) a year. You’re planting churches in the States, why don’t you see this as an extension of that and come join us in Europe.”

Learn how your ministry community can be directly involved in what God is doing in CEE. Go to edstetzer.com to find videos and pictures from the trip, along with Stetzer’s thoughts on church partnerships in Europe. Experience the week of meeting with IMB missionaries from a pastor’s perspective at Jeff Noble’s blog, journeyguy.com.

Contact Steve Brown at gomoravia@pobox.com, Trey Shaw at trey.shaw@yahoo.com, and Joe Dowdy, facilitator of the work in Krakow, at joeandbecca4@juno.com.

Posted by Natalie Kaspar on Oct 27, 2008

Similar: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland