Krasnojarsk
7 April 1998
Dear friends,
In front of my window lies the last of winter. The last snowflakes hardly get to the ground, and are scattered through the area by the icy wind. The sun has shriveled the last snowdrifts to black piles of dirt, and the fur cap has given way to a wool or light cap. We stand at the beginning of Holy Week. I had decided beforehand to celebrate this time of Lent consciously, so we have tried to have regular morning devotions and to fast on Fridays. In spite of this comforting environment, Lent has come near to me in another unexpected and unfamiliar way. Not only, that thee is a lot of work for me (for example a belt of our auto has gone kaput, so that it can't be repaired without ordering parts from outside the country). My hopeful efforts to obtain pastoral help have been dashed. And I had to confirm, that without really wanting to, I have lived and worked by the motto: Persevere to next summer, then help is in sight and you can breathe. Now the oasis has been exposed as Fata Morgana and I had not realized how much I had fixed on this refreshment. Times of depression are times of reflection about basic positions and orientation. I have often asked myself, why I don't accept the argument of many counselors: Simply do less. Why do you travel so much around the congregation? They have survived for decades without a pastor, so they can wait a little now too. Isn't this a form of madness, to think that you alone are the discoverer and preserver of the many congregations in the middle of Siberia? This question has disturbed me for some time, and I will give a little attention to it.
I have just returned from a trip to the Altai region, in the farthest southwest corner of my area, on the border of Kazakhstan. At the commission of our Bishop, we have begun a stock-taking of our congregations, since as a church we lost contact with these for years. On this trip we celebrated seven worship services, had many conversations, covered 4000 kilometers, fostered good relations with the Catholic brothers, wore out a machine, and gathered 28 addresses of Lutheran congregations, or what is left of them. Always the question was put to me in the congregations, but also from journalists who wanted to report about our trip, And how goes it further? What is the result of this survey of continuance? What happens now with the 28 addresses, with these congregations, with these souls? I could not always refer evasively to the next meeting of the Presidium. There I will report and stress the necessity of pastoral care for these congregations. But is not a pastor for Krasnojarsk much more needful? Or in Tomsk, or Novosibirsk??? During our trip, through our auto breakdown we had many possibilities to learn of the work of Catholics, but also other churches, such as the Missouri Synod Lutherans from America. It is fascinating to see how these churches, that have hardly any traditional congregations here in Siberia, start with a few people and build up with seemingly inexhaustible sources of elan, personnel, and money. I would not call it envy. Earlier there comes to me the question irresistibly strong: What are the Lutherans doing then for the many still existing Lutheran congregations in the wide Siberia? Do we still have such a missionary elan. And by that I do not mean a reckless converting or proselyting, as it often happens in American churches of pentecostal or charismatic types. No, I mean simply verbal skill. Hence to those left behind and forgotten. A consciousness of responsibility for the congregations that need spiritual guidance and connection. Here this Lutheran church in Russia was fundamentally destroyed in their whole structure through communism, and now after the breakup of this system people in the West speak almost only of the rebirth of Orthodoxy. Where does a Lutheran church feel called really to set other business aside, in order to help this Lutheran church in Russia get on its feet again. (I think the Lutherans who already get started here, will understand my thoughts not as disrespect of their involvements, but to speak with one voice in this call to help!)
It occurs to me that theologically we too often succumb to the danger of cheap grace, and thereby have become lukewarm and apathetic? Does the call to following and thereby concrete help all too often get stifled by cold numbers? Don't we rest too often on traditional relationships that have to be served, so that the question no longer comes, who then our next is? An orphan child, like ELKRAS, that has not been in the list of needs for decades, has difficulty in finding a place in the forest of corresponding competence. I mustn't reflect on the fact that here we have hundreds of congregations that haven't received the Sacrament for years and in which questions of Christian teaching and ethics swim away uncertainly, while in Germany armies of unemployed theologians drive taxi.
Why do I tell all of that? I simply cannot satisfy myself, to assist the dying of our congregation. I would like to build up the congregation, ind it is not that we lack fruitful soil here. On the contrary. I could at once mention a large number of congregations in Siberia, that would bloom in a few months if they would receive continuous pastoral care. (An official woman agent of our administration in Krasnojarsk said to me, that you would see that the people of Russia have a sick soul, and that on this ground she could only wish well to and support every work of the church.) I might also tell abroad the Gospel, to work on building the Kingdom of God. At present I see only how ever more congregations disappear, through emigration, death of the old, or the very fruitful work of the pentecostal sects, the Jehovah's Witnesses but also the Baptists, that are breaking into our congregations.
If I would suggest something popular, such as work with street children in Siberia, it would be said to me that I would get money and help without difficulty. However what is with the entirely normal pastoral concerns of the congregation? Who preaches, who gives Communion, who gives instruction, and who buries the dead? Who helps the congregations with worship services in the Russian language, so that also the young people have the possibility to come and to understand (also I work as before with a woman interpreter, because I can hardly get to Russian study)? Who opens the congregation for work with young people and with children? Who works with us on the future of our congregation?
At the beginning of my time in Russia I wrote in a newsletter: The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest, that He will send laborers into His harvest. That is truer today than ever, so I would say: Parts of the harvest are already rotting and can probably not be carried in any more.
Naturally I must find my personal rhythm of work and rest, but the concern about the congregations and the the limited outlook for the future are both very heavy for me.
From previous newsletters I knew for sure, that such a newsletter is a help for me, to express my situation in words and to let off steam. Thanks for this possibility.
I am thankful also for Waldemar Rausch, our Intern from Hermannsburg, who has been with us for half a year and can take care of some things that have been around us for years.
In the summer we will go on official furlough at home in Germany after three years (it is already three years!) From 15 June to the end of September. I hope to hit upon new perspectives there for the congregations - and also for me.
To you all also from Waldemar, Kirsten, and the children a blessed Easter celebration and the joy of the Resurrected One.
Your Rudi Blümcke