Bratislava, Slovakia: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, 2011.
This study, published under the auspices of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, provides documentation and explanation for the impressive positive effect of religious outreach to Roma (Gypsies) in Slovakia. Minorities make up 20 percent of the Slovak population, and of that 20 percent Roma are viewed as the most problemplagued group.
Roma left India and northern Pakistan, most likely in successive waves, beginning about 1,000 years ago. In Europe, Eastern Europe, and Russia they have been considered sub-human by governments and society alike. During World War II Germans murdered a greater percentage of Roma in gas chambers and concentration camps than any other ethnic group. Understanding the widespread, hostile attitudes toward Roma makes this academic study all the more phenomenal and a must read for anyone seeking to have an effective ministry among Roma.
In this study Podolinská and Hrustič give concrete evidence of effective evangelism strategies among Roma. Religion as a Path to Change makes clear that when churches reach out to Roma who then become actively involved in churches, their reformation is so pronounced that non-Roma begin to accept them. Some of the successful church strategies and principles identified by the authors follow. Roma highly value relationships, and as a result, missions that focus on building personal relationships with Roma fare best. Also, in successful missions pastors and priests have played central roles as psychologists, marital advisors, and social workers, in addition to their role as spiritual leaders. In contrast, a mainline church constructed a building for a Roma church but placed it in an isolated location. In this case, the distance between Roma and non-Roma grew significantly because Roma recognized that the church builders did not want a relationship with them. Roma concluded that the gospel proclaimed by the mainline church clashed with the separation and racism they experienced at the hands of this church.
Religion as a Path to Change also documents that involving Roma in project development and leadership greatly increases the likelihood of success. However, lasting and stable missions are not the case when Roma who lack sufficient education and spiritual maturity are tapped for leadership. “Local minority churches (as opposed to mainline churches in Slovakia) have a big potential to generate a stable church” in which Roma conversions result in changed lives. Work with Roma most often succeeds when pastors and priests show inclusion in their ministry, open themselves to relationships with local authorities, and find culturally appropriate ways in which Roma may grow personally, socially, and spiritually. Church leaders are most helpful when they preach sermons and structure activities that include all members of Roma society: men, women, children, young, and old. Podolinská and Hrustič also found that successful work among Roma requires significant time devoted to particular communities; spreading resources, pastors, and priests thin is a recipe for failure with Roma. In contrast, making a commitment of time and self to one group better develops a stable, life-changing church.
Religion as a Path to Change is at times difficult to understand because of the use of technical, social science jargon. Nevertheless, this study is remarkably balanced and well worth the reading. Within its 48 pages are many nuggets of gold for church growth among Roma in Slovakia and anywhere Roma live.
Frank Dawson, former Cooperative Baptist Fellowship missionary among Roma in Russia, now works as a drug counselor in Birmingham, Alabama