Romanian John Moldovan identifies shortcomings which too often inhibit effective Western evangelism in post-Soviet societies

1. Too many agencies focusing on the same cities;
2. Too much Western preaching at the expense of local pastors;
3. Too many Western sermons insensitive to the cultural context;
4. Western agencies hiring local workers at extravagant salaries;
5. Western donations with insufficient financial accountability;
6. Poorly translated materials;
7. Strained relations between Western and indigenous Christians;
8. Difficulties in dealing with a lingering spirit of mistrust, conditioned by many decades of Communist manipulation;
9. Unhealthy competition among churches and parachurch groups;
10. Scalp-hunting, photo-op, hit-and-run evangelism that does not place enough emphasis upon discipleship;
11. Inadequate efforts to reach young people; and
12. Insufficient apologetics literature.

Dr. John Moldovan is professor of evangelism at Criswell College, Dallas, TX.  Comments taken from a presentation at the Russia Symposium, First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX, 7 December 1996.

John Moldovan, "Obstacles to Evangelism," East-West Church & Ministry Report, 5 (Winter 1997), 6.

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© 1997 Institute for East-West Christian Studies
ISSN 1069-5664