Rebuilding the Church through Biblical Training

by Rev. Vern Vanderzee, Miami FL

Picture: a regular worship service at Lithianian Reformed church pastored by Rev. Algimantas Kvedaravicius. In cold months the building is not heated so the congregation has to dress wormly for the services.

I spent some time with the group in Vilnius composed of some male and female leaders and a few future preachers. I spent a few evenings with the poor ladies and their children and pastor in Svobiskis. Rev. Aligmantas had some hope there of 4-6 ladies forming a group for special ministry needs. The weekend was spent in Poliynas, his home town, and there I lectured to a few mothers and children, and to a Sunday School class. On Monday I met and spoke to a group of seniors in the university town of Kaunas.

My impression of these four groups was that Bible knowledge was minimal and almost nonexistent for some. I understand why because of their history.

Some did not know that there were doctrinal differences between the Roman Catholics and Reformed. The friendship of their small group, I sensed, was the driving interest in their involvement. They were happy to be learning about the Bible as well. Most were nominally Reformed, but knew little about Reformed doctrines.

The goal of the older folks was to rebuild the church, their congregation, as an institution, to be like it was back in the glory days before the war.

My perception was that there was little that was about a personal relationship with Jesus or the Holy Spirit. I sensed little spiritual vitality and piety. Their energy and focus was about rebuilding the church as an institution and enjoying its social aspects in the meantime. They enjoyed each other. I liked all I met.

I heard there was jealousy toward Fundamentalist groups and other denominations who were able to attract folks in their 20's and 30's.

Since we have had in Lithuania two generations of no Sunday School or biblical teaching, we need to teach basic Bible knowledge, and lead them into reading the Bible personally for themselves. We must identify key leaders and persons of influence in each congregation to lead small group Bible studies with folks in their congregations.

To move away from a preoccupation with the past and to move beyond the social club model we need to teach these folks spiritual disciplines of daily prayer and Bible study, and then next teach them basic evangelism skills, possibly the first few lessons from Evangelism Explosion. It is my conviction that without personal piety nothing much will happen in their churches as to attracting new folks and preparing the children for the future.

I am praying that the folks I met develop and own a vision of reaching the lost of their land whose grandparents were part of the Reformed Church of Lithuania before the war.

Vern Vanderzee, March 2008