One of the most enjoyable and encouraging things I do is co-direct the Euro/American Retreat each November. This is the largest annual gathering of missionaries of the churches of Christ and they have been meeting for 43 years. Last November they shared their thought of living in and evangelizing Europe and I wanted to share them with you.

A SUMMARY OF PANEL DISCUSSIONS conducted at the Euro/American Retreat in Rothenberg, Germany
November 2004 - by Phil Jackson

“WHAT GOD’S MISSION IN EUROPE IS TEACHING ME”

1. Reflect on the expectations that you may have had prior to your mission work and compare it to the reality of the work. Paul Brazle (Belgium)
The idea that there is a perfect formula to do mission work is a dream – certainly not reality. None the less, I had expectations that were necessarily readjusted once we started working in Belgium. The Dutch do not have a word for “missionary”. Many missionaries eventually left Belgium. Looking at the good work that was done, I believe God is happy, but I am faced with the reality that everyone is not happy.

2. What am I learning about myself through my participation in God’s mission in Europe? Katie Young (France)
If I have learned anything it is because I have been willing to learn. I have allowed France to be my home therefore I have had to surrender the trust in my American citizenship and have had to trust in what my life in France had to offer me. I am learning about “trust” and “patience.” In France, I am a nobody which is a real blessing since it has encouraged me to just be a child of God. I also believe this has allowed me to appreciate God’s place as Judge.

In allowing France to be my home, I am able to “stick out” as a Christian, not merely as an American. “I'm not here to defend or represent America. I'm here to represent Christ. I am not here to stand out as a foreigner. I am here to lose my identity in order to reach the French through their culture.”

3. What am I learning about the Europeans in my community? Laurie Diles (Czech Republic)
I approach this question with fear and trepidation, for my background is that of an American who grew up in Brazil. My perspective is from the New World and my education is in intercultural communication, where the first commandment is ”Thou shall not be ethnocentric.” My comments may sound like I am in culture shock – but after 10 years in CZ, I do not feel like I am.

We work in a country where 60-70% of the people are atheists. We live in a post-communist society where only 0.18% is evangelical Christian. Czechs are very ethnically homogeneous, and desire to remain so. Foreign children born in CZ are granted citizenship only if they have at least one Czech parent. Each official form asks for you citizenship and your ethnicity.

Czechs are perfectionists, which apparently leads to reluctance to try something new or different. There is also some reluctance to admit fault, leading to avoidance or lying to cover mistakes or shortcomings. If people don't admit fault – they don’t need a Savior. An exception to this generation is the admitted high tolerance of Czechs toward Americans learning their language – all attempts are appreciated.

Czechs claim envy as their national trait. “I don’t have something you have – you shouldn't have it either.” In fact, some Czechs go so far as to determine that it is immoral for a person to have what another does not have.

Czechs are private and reserved. The home/apt is a protected place only opened up on special occasions with special relationships. The formal Czech language maintains this distance and informality is introduced only when appropriately initiated. Czechs are rather conservative when it comes to “change,” in fact, a Czech fully expects to be born and die in the same flat. Younger Czechs are changing this particular characteristic. Yet, Czechs are able to make light of their difficult circumstances – and are also quite ingenious in creating solutions to everyday challenges.

4. What am I learning about God as I work in His mission in Europe? Doyle Kee (Switzerland)
We all are in a development process. However, the anchors of my life – my faith – are the same. God is still... however, after 35 years in Europe I have undergone significant development in my faith and understanding in God. These anchors have increased in degree. I am still amazed how God works – and I struggle to understand how He works. However, I continue to work to encourage all people to take pleasure in Him.

5. What do I appreciate (most) about how God is working in the ministry in which I am involved? All Panelists

Paul: God is God. It is God’s strategy and God brings fruit in His timing. Our foreignness gives us a connection to other foreigners.

Katie: I appreciate the common mission of my co-workers. God is able to DO the ministry of Chrétien en Mission (CEM) and the neighborhood work.

Laurie: I am thankful that God has worked in Czech Republic in spite of our weaknesses and in spite of resistance there. I am thankful that He is bringing new workers to CZ. I am thankful that he has brought in some Christians from other nations (Slovakia, Russia and Uruguay). I am thankful that God has raised up a handful of CZ Christians that are willing to be different in a homogeneous society. I am thankful that God has allowed me to be an eyewitness to what He is doing in CZ.

Doyle: “Who is equal to such a task…? Our competency comes from God. (2 Cor 2:16, 3:5, 6)”

William E. "Bill" McDonough, Director
Partners In Progress
Phnom Penh, Cambodia