New Visa Restrictions in Russia

It may not be big news in the America and Western Europe, but there has been a major change in the visa regulations for those possessing a "business" or a "religious affairs" visa. The video clip below speaks specifically to the "business" visa, but the rules also affect missionaries who live and minister in Russia with the "religious affairs" This change has already had an impact on many of our colleagues in Russia. One example is Adam Zygarewicz (St. Petersburg). And I've been in contact with several missionaries with other churches who have the same dilemma.

Currently, it does not affect anyone at ETSM because, well, I'm the only Westerner currently associated with the school, but I reside mostly in Germany. But the change will make it very difficult for us to bring on staff any missionary teachers from the West.

A Very Good News on Licensing!

This report just came in from our Provost in Moscow. It is also available here.

Today - March 24, 2008 - Seminary's documents have been accepted by the Federal Licensing Office (FLO) to proceed for acquiring the Educational License for Eurasian Theological Seminary! Hallelujah!!!

Thank you very much for keeping the Seminary in your prayer. I would like to say: THIS IS JUST A BEGINNING! KEEP ON PRAYING FOR licensing Expert Committee that is to Expertise the Seminary, i.e. do a research and check up the reality of claimed on paper (in the application) conditions for education.

By the end of last week of March 2008 FLO will try to issue an Executive Order to appoint the members of the Expert Committee. The Expert Committee meets for the Licensing Expertise (meeting) as the schedule would allow: I hope by the end of April 2008. Sunday, April 27, is the Resurrection Sunday - Easter - in Russia.

In Christ Jesus,

Ilya Okhotnikov, Provost
www.etsmoscow.org

Credibility is the Foundation of Leadership

It seems nowadays that there is an increasing amount of distrust in leaders. The cause for the distrust various from venue to venue. Sometimes perceived intentional deceitfulness (e.g., political candidates/leaders). Or sometimes it is simply the perceived "disconnect" between the leaders and the rank and file followers.

What do people look for most in a leader? Ask any group, and you'll probably find these four qualities at the top of the list. The quotes from Leadership Challenge, 4th ed. A good leader must be...

Honest

When we follow someone we believe to be dishonest, we come to realize that we've compromised our own integrity. Over time, we not only lose respect for the leader, we lose respect for ourselves.

Forward-looking

Leaders must know where they're going if they expect others to willingly join them on the journey. We're talking about the ability to imagine or discover a desirable destination toward which the congregation or ministry should head.

Inspiring

If a leader displays no passion for a cause, why should anyone else? Leaders appeal to the followers' need to find meaning and purpose in their lives.

Competent

People must believe that the leader is competent to guide them where they're headed. They must see the leader as having relevant experience and sound judgment. If they doubt the person's abilities, they're unlikely to join the crusade. Followers constantly ask the question, "Do they 'get' it?"

It alls boils down to this. If you don't believe the messenger, you won't believe the message. (Cf. 2 Cor 3). Furthermore - You gotta do what you said you will do.

Licensing Update

On Monday, March 24, ETSM (Eurasian Theological Seminary in Moscow) will submit its final paperwork with the Federal Licensing Office. We have spent the last three weeks updating our permits and documents in order to submit them this week. We ask that you pray with we (ETSM) will find divine favor with Mr. Alexander Petrovich Gruzkov (the head of the FLO).

Red Army Choir: Sweet Home Alabama

I really do intend to give my Russian reports a break. There was some great news from Germany this weekend and I also want to do more leadership development stuff, too. But I just could resist this.

To The Point News reports on something that would've made Khrushchev take the both shoes off and bang along with the Red Army Choir to the "Sweet Home Alabama." Prepare yourself for this one - maybe with a alcohol-free martini or two.

Back in the days of the Soviet Union, the Soviet Red Army had an official choir composed of male soldiers and musicians. It still exists. The Red Army Choir performs throughout Russia to this day. Now consider the Finnish rock band called The Leningrad Cowboys. A little while ago, they held a concert in Russia, in which - to the screaming applause of Russkie teen-agers - they got the Red Army Choir to join them on stage for a performance of "Sweet Home Alabama." In English. You couldn't make this up.

We're talking seriously off the wall here. Better have that unleaded martini ready when you watch it:

The Most Powerful Boat in the World?

I just returned from a conference in St. Petersburg, Russia. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the focus of the week was to develop our leadership skills as school presidents and executives. I've been leadership seminars and classes, so there wasn't too much "new material" per se. But what was revealing was the conversations from the various Russian and Ukrianian delegates who are still processing the effects of the Soviet (communistic) models of leadership and organizational dynamics.

One recurrent theme was that the societies in the former Soviet Union are changing radically -- and the expectations from them as "Christian" leaders. I could only listen and learn. At the same time, I couldn't help but wonder what Russia would be like today had there been no communism and the oppression of religion for those 70 years.

On Wednesday afternoon, our group did a bus tour of St. Petersburg. This city had been the capital of Russia for over 200 years until the communist revolution. So we got to see our share of palaces, government buildings, monuments, statues, cathedrals, shipyards, prestigious concert halls, and even an active synagogue. However, it was obvious that many buildings and streets throughout the city were in disrepair. It seems as most of the Petrodollars are staying in Moscow.

The picture you see is of the Aurora, the boat from which the October Revolution of 1917 began and launched Vladimir Lenin and the communist party into power. When we got out of the bus to look at the Aurora, Ilya pulled me aside and said, "We (Russians) say that was the most powerful boat in the world. It fired only one shot, but it ruined an entire country for 70 years."

Leadership is a Behavior, Not a Personaltiy

Here in St. Petersburg, all of the participants were given a copy of The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner. This was one of the first books I read on leadership when I began my Ph.D. studies at Regent -- and the book is truly a classic.

I was pleasantly surprised that my Russian colleagues received a Russian translation of the text (probably from the 3rd edition). And I even received the brand new 4th edition which has been updated to make it more compact with international in scope.

We began this week by taking an adapted version of the LPI (Leadership Practices Inventory, also by K&P) which helped each of to assess his own leadership strengths and weaknesses. Kouzes and Posner posit that good leaders are recognized universally by their practices -- their behaviors. And because leadership is not based on a certain personality, everyone can learn to become good leaders.

What makes The Leadership Challenge so good is that it is based on 25 years of data. Kouzes and Posner have used very large samples of people, in-depth questionnaires tested for reliability, and have made the summary statistics from their 2004 data set (8,500 cases for much of the analysis) available on their website. They frequently describe their findings as "evidence-based".

Noting that credibility is the absolute foundation for the rest of the model, Kouzes and Posner describe five key practices for leadership. Good leaders...

1. Model the Way - Leaders spend time clarifying and communicating core values and set the example for all to follow.
2. Inspire a shared vision of the future that invites others to join the cause.
3. Challenge the process - Leaders are constantly searching for new opportunitites for growth while willing to experiment and take risks.
4. Enable others to act by encouraging collaboration and empowering followers for their jobs.
5. Encourage the heart by recognizing the contributions of everyone. Leaders will celebrate the values and victories of their organization and the people in them.

In the future, I intend to follow up on these points from a Christian leadership perspective.

A Pentecostal Church for the Deaf

Last night I ate an evening dessert with Valeriy Gaidachuck and his wife Maria. "Valera" was recently elected to become the next overseer of our church movement in the St. Petersberg region. During our conversation, he mentioned that one of our churches is for the deaf and dumb -- or more precisely stated for the hearing impaired.

On one hand, I find it great that there is a church dedicated to reaching this segment of society. But I couldn't help but to ask how they hold their services. Belonging to a Pentecostal tradition that holds that tongues speech (as described in Acts 2) is the initial evidence of spirit baptism, I couldn't help but wonder how these folks "experience Pentecost."

• Do they speak in unknown tongues? If so, how would they know it?
• What would a good old-fashioned pentecostal prayer sound, uh, look like?
  
• How do they worship corporately?
  
• What role does music play?
  

To make a long story short, the members there are able to use the voices, although it may be quite awkward to our ears. And they depend on an inner confirmation when they have had an encounter with the Holy Spirit. Well... come to think of it....

St. Petersburg, Russia

This week, Ilya and I are attending a five-day conference in St. Petersburg where there are representatives from twelve evangelical Bible schools from the entire former Soviet Union (Russia, Ukraine, Moldavia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Lithuania). ETSM is the only Russian Pentecostal school represented at the conference; it happens to be the only school from Moscow, too. The conference is sponsored by Overseas Council International – an interdenominational fellowship that focuses on training leaders around the world.

St. Petersburg is Russia's second largest city, and the fourth largest city in Europe (behind Moscow, London, and Paris). The school that is hosting the conference is located near the Narva Triumphal Gate that celebrated this city's victory over Napolean. I've only been here for about 30 hours, but I already fascinated by the city's history and impressive architecture (which is both Western and Eastern).

As the week progresses, I hope to post more about my stay in the city formerly known as Leningrad.

Licensing Update

Many of our supporters are aware that our school in Moscow is applying for a license to function as a school. Currently, we are a religious organization that offers seminars and other religious functions. With a license, we would be recognized officially as a school in Russia.

The licensing process has been an adventure filled with lots of bureaucratic minutiae, securing permits from various state departments (such as the fire department, sanitary department, etc.). Tomorrow, we will submit all of the paperwork for our application for our license.

You might remember that ETSM had already registered the application package. In Ilya's words:

We need your prayer support. Mr. Alexander Petrovich Gruzkov is the Head of the Licensing Office will be the Chairperson at the meeting of Expert Committee. The committee is to come on sight of the Seminary to see what did we write in the application package and compare papers with reality. Mr. Alexander Gruzkov is a King at these types of Expert committees' meetings.

So, the proverb 21:1 goes like this: "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes". I ask your prayer, so that this king, Mr. Gruzkov, would want to accept our docs and proceed with no red tape.