The June Madness is Over

Earlier I wrote about the European version of "March Madness" (the NCAA college basketball playoffs, for those not familiar with American sports). June has been the month of European soccer. And it was not something that could be ignored by those who hate sports.

Sixteen countries have battled it out over the last four weeks. Last night, the championship game was played between Germany and Spain. Although the final score was 1-0, Spain clearly dominated the game -- consistent with all of their games throughout the tournament.

However, Germany placed much higher than most experts had expected. Italy (the winners of the World Cup in 2006) and France (who placed 2nd in 2006) along with Holland were tipped to be favorites. Spain hadn't won a major tournament in 44 years.

So...last night was the last gathering of our church for a soccer game...until the World Cup begins in 2010.

Introducing Sergei Riakhovsky

I finally made it back from my trip to Moscow where we had a weeklong series of meetings and guests. We had a meeting of our seminary's board of directors, followed by a meeting of the Russian overseers' council. On Wednesday, ETSM hosted the National Pastors Conference for all of our pastors in the Russian Church of God. It was the first pastors conference of this type in Russia since the denomination had undergone some major restructuring at the begining of the decade. Although I am still waiting for the final numbers, I estimate that we had about 80 pastors in attendance.

One of highlights of the week was having Sergei Riakhovsky in our seminary for at least some of the proceedings. Brother Sergei is the former overseer of our church in Russia and currently serves as honorary president of our movement. In addition to pastoring the Kovcheg Church of God, Riakhovsky serves as Chairman of the Russian United Fellowship of Christians of Evangelical Faith (Pentecostals), an umbrella organization that represents several Pentecostal denominations in governmental affairs. Additionally, Riakhovsky was selected by Vladimir Putin to serve on the "President of Russian Federation's Council on Religious Affairs". He is also a member of Public Chamber of Russian Federation. Needless to say, it's nice if we have "one of our own" in such positions in Moscow.

Besides attending our school board meeting, Sergei also led a communion service during the last morning of the Pastors' Conference. It was a good way to conclude an eventful week.

Do you know this man?

I came across this story and could resist posting it. It was originally posted here with more detail. If you know this man, please notify the police!!!

Welsh cops have locals scratching their heads with an official police computer sketch of a robber whose face is almost entirely covered by a cap.

The e-fit picture was issued by police hunting a conman who tricked a 98-year-old widow out of her life savings. She told officers he was in his 40s, clean shaven with a narrow chin — and wearing a cap.

But the wanted image circulated by Gwent police in Pontypool, Wales, has left locals wondering, “Is this the worst police sketch ever?”

In the photo, the suspect’s face is almost completely shrouded by a baseball hat. The only thing showing is his mouth.

Plumber Jamie O’Leary, 26, said, “I’ve seen about 50 men in baseball caps today— it’s like a uniform around here. It could be anyone. I thought it was Michael Jackson or Usher to start with.”

Salesman Andy Griffiths, 42, added, “Even Sherlock Holmes would have difficulty with that photofit. I’d be amazed if they catch anyone based on that.”

Germany is Open for the Gospel ?

Currently I am in Moscow for a series of meetings. As a result, I've had little time for creative blogging - and just enough time at night to watch the EuroCup soccer championships.

But this article by Assist News caught my attention. And from my own personal observations, I would concur with the conclusions of the study.

GREIFSWALD (ANS) -- The climate for evangelism in Germany has improved. But a significant proportion of the Protestant clergy still harbor reservations.

The Research Institute for Evangelism and Church Development at the University of Greifswald in Northeast Germany has conducted an in-depth study of the attitudes of Protestant clergy towards evangelism.

Generally speaking the younger generation of theologians in the mainline Protestant Churches has become more open towards evangelistic activities. The institute identifies five types of clergy – from the evangelistic enthusiast to the overall critic.

One type is labeled as “indifferent”. This kind of minister would never take personal responsibility for an evangelistic event, but would be prepared to extend invitations for outside programs like ProChrist.

The “overall critic”, on the other hand, would not be prepared to lend any support. The “enthusiast” organizes evangelistic outreach programs regularly. “Loyal critics” support evangelistic activities gladly, but have reservations about certain aspects like altar calls.

The fifth category is described as “critical evangelists”. Though interested in winning people for the church, they look at evangelism with deep suspicion.

The study was conducted on behalf of the evangelistic project ProChrist. It shows that evangelism is not yet an integral part of the clergy’s ministry. Their main concern is the spiritual care for their flock.

But, as the institute emphasizes, the traditional notion that faith is roused almost automatically through church socialization is no longer reality. All in all, German clergy reveal certain helplessness in spreading the Christian faith.

Nominalism prevails in Martin Luther’s homeland. Although roughly 60 percent of the 82 million inhabitants of Germany are – owing to infant baptism – Catholic or Protestant church members, attendance is low. Four to five percent of the 25 million Protestant church members worship on an average Sunday.

Parking Your Car in Moscow

Earlier this week, I received an ATOM feed from some American missionaries in Moscow - the McDougles. I've never met them, but have corresponded with them in the past. From time to time they share about life in Moscow, and this week is no exception. If you come to Moscow and get away from the downtown area, you will see the many tall Soviet-era apartment buildings. Moscow was not built with the idea that every individual could own a car. And the apartment complexes in Moscow were designed without parking lots for the residents.

However, one of the unexpected blessings of capitalism is the high number of private automobiles. In 2006, the city of Moscow had over 500,000 new registrations of cars in the city. I haven't seen the data for 2007, but it probably was about the same. Traffic has become a serious problem in Moscow.

But traffic jams is only one problem. The other question is where and how do you park your car at night. Pictured are (linked from the McDougles' blog) are typical garages. These garages are usually placed next to the side walk between the apartment building and the community grounds. They work out fine if you have a small "Lada", but I'm not sure how it handles a mid-size car. Fortunately, at the school we have an enfenced parking area on our property.

Teutonic Rituals in the Church

Last night, our church here in Germany, Treffpunkt C, conducted a common an old Germanic, Teutonic ritual that celebrates the esoterically geometric dynamics. It is a ritual that, if not checked, can lead to spiritual ecstasy and socially acceptable forms of histrionic personality disorder. Although there is a small segment of the Church in Europe that actively resists any participation in this ritual, many Christians actually encourage their family members to "congregate" and join in the proclamation, "Das Runde muss in das Eckige!" ("The round thingy has to go into the rectanglur one!")

Looking for a comparison in the States, I'm limited to mayhemic fever that sweeps the States in the Spring commonly known as March Madness. Here the main sport is soccer and June marks the beginning of the European Cup - an event that takes place every four years.

32 countries began battling it out this weekend. And of course Germany is competing, too. Last night they played masterfully against Poland, winning 2-0. And our church showed it on the big screen, inviting everyone one to come to a safe, clean atmosphere to enjoy the game. (Hey's it's a lot better than a sport bar!)

How Spiderman 3 Should Have Ended

Leave it to kids to surf the web and to find the best of YouTube. Colin and Kevin found this clip about Spiderman 3 - how it should have ended.

Sunday in Geislingen

Yesterday, Claudia, the kids and I spent the day in Geislingen (and nearby Süßen) with Pastors Stefan and Debby Oesterling. (I'm sorry for showing only his picture. I forgot the camera and only could find his picture on the web.) I was invited to speak at the church - and it went well except that my PowerPoint was in Russian (I put the wrong file on the stick). It got a little awkward when they wanted to read the Bible text along with me. Afterward we spent the afternoon at their home enjoying pizza and watching the kids (our three and their three) have fun in the sun.

The Church of God in Germany is about 60 years old (unless you count the "unofficial" work during the Nazi war era). Most of our younger pastors in German are bi-vocational. That is to say, they must work a full-time secular job and spend the evenings and weekends for a church that is not able to pay them a salary. Additionally, many of these smaller churches have been around for a while -- they are not new church plants, but churches in need of a turnaround.

This is also the case with Stefan who works as an insurance agent. While in his mid-twenties, he assumed the pastorate from a retiring minister. And although there were some young couples in the church, there was (and still is) a considerable percentage of seniors in the church.

It was refreshing for Claudia and me to see how the church has grown over the years. Stefan has brought in much change in the church over the years. But he'll be the first to tell you that it has been a slow process that has taken place with the help of the Holy Spirit. And they're facing transition since one of their leading young couples (Chris and Lambrini Lindeman) will move to the States in September.