There's a lot of talk going on right now...

A famous childhood tune rings in my ears as I place my fingers on the keyboard this morning: “The foolish man built his house upon the sand…And the walls came tumbl’in down…The wise man built his house upon the Rock…And the wise man’s house stood firm!”

David truly was an interesting biblical character. One minute he was in the pit of despair (Psalm 22) and the next minute he was singing with the saints for joy (Psalm 30). Peter was another one who denied Christ one day (John 18) and walked on water in total trust the next (Matthew 14). Sometimes my emotions jump back and forth the same I am ashamed to say, maybe not as often as David’s. I try to keep them in check and remain firm and solid. I want my family and friends to always know what is important and of value to me; I want them to see me as stable.

I have been reading a lot lately about the predicament we seem to be facing as a Southern Baptist Convention and as an international and home missions sending organization. Should we continue to call ourselves by the same name? Should our missions organizations combine to be more cost and witness effective? I am serving in a country where religious law and freedom is wavering. Recent regulations are under discussion concerning the Baptist’s ministry outside the church building ceasing in Russia. I have seen so much change while living here and adapted. But today my heart is really burdened for not only Russia but also America. The US seems to be in a danger zone, too. Waking up every morning to check the news of America, I sometimes feel ill. It appears that our character is swaying back and forth, not only politically but religiously. At least we knew where David and Peter really stood. I thank the Lord for the churches today that are setting the example. I find myself daily looking for the positive that I do see. Maybe in a small way, I can help, also, by praying constantly and exemplifying a positive attitude and not camping out on the negative.

Some say writing is a way to relieve stress. I have found this to be true. So, as I sit in front of this blue and white screen, I type the thoughts that come to mind. When I think about the history of Southern Baptist, I read through articles that speak of our initial beliefs and views toward slavery. From there we take a shift and apologize for not being diverse and now unite together regardless of race. We have had thoughts before about changing our name. There has been a shift to conservatism, especially where our seminaries and institutions were concerned. I watched as this was happening in the late 80s and early 90s as we enrolled at Southeastern in 1993. And now we have another goal to push a conservative movement and a recall to the Great Commission overall. I am presently praying strongly for our convention and the call to lead the nations to Him and embrace the Great Commission even firmer. I am conservative to the core and stand on the Bible as inerrant, infallible and inspired. God came to save all people of all nations and culture. And Jesus is the only Way. God is love.

Over the past 12 years, I have watched our American Baptist churches take a huge shift in look and style. Once there was such a thing as a pulpit. Now the popular stage area holds a stool, chair and table. My memories and history of the church are those a little more reserved. I remember when pastors were skeptical about having the hymns appear on a PowerPoint. I serve in a country with the Baptist Union where the pulpit is a place that is somewhat thought of as holy. In the US today some church buildings look more like sports arenas. I have watched from afar how pool parties have replaced church dinner fellowships. Preachers in torn blue-jeans and earrings have replaced preachers in suits and ties. These are great topics of discussions and facts of change. Times have changed and a new generation has moved in—a new culture.

However, without being philosophical about which is right and which is wrong, I want to focus on what I think is the underlining root problem, more than what our building or institution “looks” like. We can leave that discussion for another day. At that time we can still study Matthew 7 and the context of not judging others, asking and it be given to us, entering through the narrow and wide gate and noticing a tree by the fruit it bears, being careful not to give our teaching over to dogs (hypocrites or false prophets) or casting our “pearl” before swine.

The deepest root problem is not really how we look anymore, what we call ourselves, what programs we use, the colors painted on the walls of our youth building, it is that some have strayed from our roots and foundation. Can we be like and look like we used to? No, it is impossible. I think we are concerned about our physical appearance and comfort levels, though, too much right now; we need to focus on our spiritual ones.

We need to be centered on Him and His mission. Pleasing and entertaining people or congregations have replaced feeding, shepherding and nurturing believers. Building a huge sanctuary has replaced the desire to build up the body of Christ. Increasing numbers has replaced in many cases truly finding the lost sheep and bringing them into the fold and caring for them. Bringing in popular programs, literature and secular videos that are “appealing to the eye” have replaced reading, citing and preaching God’s Word before the local body. Techniques to attract the community are seen as extreme. When in reality, radical revival and renewal is all we need.

So changing our name or combining or not combining organizations is not the biggest question. Let us just rally together, standing on the solid Rock. The rock that does not waver, that does not pacify just for comfort, that does not lie to gain popularity, that is not hypocritical or ashamed to speak Biblical principles, etc. There is no way that we are going to solve this “dilemma” if we do not remember our foundation—Christ—and build there (Matthew 7:24). It is that simple: The wise man built his house on the Rock! Our nation and politics will get back in order when we stand on the solid Rock and preach “In God We Trust”!
-The Chosen Path, L.Burch

Give all your worries to Him

Many times I stepped off the train from Bryansk as I traveled to urban Moscow for a few days of retreat from my missionary life in the semi-small, Russian, village-like city. The backpack or large duffle bag with belongings for the family that I carried across the tracks and through the cold, snowy, dark streets was heavy. I have those who will testify to that—a weight pretty hefty for a lady. But as I looked around, I saw the weight that my husband was carrying. It was much heavier than mine. As I walk I envision the weight of colleagues’ bags that are loaded down with amounts even harder to handle. These colleagues, dear friends, who have journeyed with me along the way, have walked a familiar road. What do I do? I realize that the pounds I am carrying are just for me and must be transported to the final destination. When I arrive, I will drop them to the floor or pass the luggage to a friend who is waiting at the door—one who is to relieve me of the pressure for a time. Praise to the Lord, for everyday He accepts our load (Psalm 68:19). So, I shift the load on my shoulders and push forward because my best friend said that I could and must, for it is a lesson to learn. Exactly in that moment I know not the lesson. It is just one to be accomplished. As I walk my load gets lighter, because I know that one close to me is carrying a bag heavier than mine. Give all your worries to Him, because He loves you so (1 Peter 5:7).
-The Chosen Path, L. Burch

Short Walk Down Memory Lane

As I sit at home this morning, I started looking through some old photos. Buck is away in another country and the kids and I are snug and warm in our apartment in Moscow, Russia. So, I clicked on the photo section of my computer and pulled up a few pictures from over the years. The next thing I did was open my journal to find this paragraph that I wrote years ago. I'll be concluding this portion soon. It rather sums up my thoughts for this time period. Anyway here is a short walk down memory lane.

"Maybe the question that was forefront in everyone’s mind but never verbalized was: “Why did you ever leave home in the first place and move to Russia? I never left home actually. Home is who I am. I have come to understand many things over the years. One of which is that who we are has been shaped and formed by the many people that have invested their time in us and the many places and opportunities we have seen or lived to experience."-The Chosen Path, L. Burch

Bryansk 2000



AGM 2003



Saint Petersburg 2004, Church on the Island (Southside Baptist McRae...love offering given to help purchase keyboard)




Shipbuilder's Team, St. Pete '05-06



St.Pete crew 2007



Our landlord (friend) and us, St. Pete 2008




Golgotha Church Family, Moscow 2009-10

In His Love videoblog-"Praise the Lord"

From dawn to dusk, the Lord’s name should be praised. - Ps. 113:3



This is a short videoblog post. Just click on arrow to play.
For written version click here.

Homemade rolls

My kids have been taking care of me while Buck is away. I have been a little under the weather as the old saying goes. I am very proud of my little helpers. They have been in charge of the home. However, I must say this is the last time I call them little. Ashlyn is a young lady now and I am thoroughly proud of her homemaking skills. Here is a photo of her delicious homemade rolls (and pretty, too). Thanks for all your prayers and e-mails of encouraging words.

Best Practices Book Review and Reflection

Select ladies of ERBB participated in two Best Practices meetings. These were for the wives of IMB leaders and a team leader in European Russia. No one person was in charge or responsible for teaching the entire time. I named this type of meeting or model: The Roundtable of Lady Mission Leaders. I combined the two concepts of facilitation and collaborative discussion. Our time was divided into four areas—learning, fellowship, praying, and sharing. The learning part consisted of resource reading and each person being responsible for teaching the group about the new concepts learned. The books were related to Women in Leadership, missions, Orthodoxy, feminist hermeneutics, etc. Posted below is my review and reflection.

Best Practices Report
Leslie Burch, Russian Cluster, 2009
 
Author’s Right to Discuss Topic
In this reading, Women in Mission, Smith (2007) has the right to speak on the subject, because she served in overseas work. She was in Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea and Ethiopia. She also worked with an organization for justice development and lived among the Maori tribe of New Zealand. Her involvement there played a huge role in the understanding “of European people in their involvement with indigenous peoples” (p. xiii).

Summary
The author presented various types of mission work, mostly from the Catholic faith or perspective. Seemingly the most successful works were those with efforts to help the poor. Especially where women in mission was concerned, the female workers were respected and given the opportunity to participate in humanitarian helps. These types of deeds were considered a possibility for women, but a leadership role of any form was not allowed for many years. Many eventually proved their loyalty and knowledge of business and were given the right to run a convent, home or school. Also a woman who lived a life of service and suffering was respected more and recognized as a true missionary—a devoted servant. The missionary that empathized more with her people was placed in a higher position of influence, thus being allowed to present request and seek permissions before male leadership. Eventually an authoritarian role may have been granted.

Mother Teresa was one such example; though, she valued more what she taught her disciples (followers) than what position or title she held. According to the author, Mother Teresa’s “lack of enthusiasm for a feminist agenda and her acceptance of the economic, political, and ecclesiastical status quo in the countries where her sisters work have gained here many admirers who regard her as a role model for contemporary Catholic women missionaries…For them the immediate physical needs of the destitute have remained their apostolic priority” (Smith, 2007, p. 133-134).

In the first few chapters, the author defends in favor of women in leadership as she references various scriptures to prove her point. Nevertheless, I did not agree with her observations in many cases, but I definitely learned some ideas and beliefs that feminist hermeneutics present. For example, I was surprised that the author sought to validate a point for godly women leaders, but the women were actually living a lie to make their stand. In 1 Timothy 5 we read on the topic of widows. Smith concludes that “the order of widows might have been attracting celibate women, who remembering the freedom and equality of the first generation Christian communities, believed that widowhood would have allowed them to assume public leadership roles in the community” (2007, p. 34).

The author referenced the era, mostly from Paul’s writings, as a patriarchal time period where wives were subject to their husbands and the father figure was in control. The culture in this age of the New Testament writings presented a hardship for women to be recognized or accepted to any position of authority; however, she referred to some of Paul’s writings, specifically his earlier ones or in her opinion writings before his death, as letters in favor of women as co-workers or apostles with Paul. I disagree with several of the statements she presented, but I am now aware of other theological and philosophical views that I did not know existed. But I do understand some of her viewpoints and accept them as possible means in support of women in respected roles of leadership. For instance, in the New Testament we are aware that women were helpers in encouraging, discipling and leading other believers. There are multiple names mentioned in the Bible where women were seen as those who were faithful to their tasks (i.e, Mary Magdalene [Mark 15:40-41], Mother of Zebedee’s sons [Matthew 27:56], Anna, the prophetess [Luke 2:36], Phoebe [Romans 16:1], Priscilla [Romans 16:3], etc.). Also in many of Paul’s letters women were seen and recognized as influential “to the church in thy house” (Philemon 2).

Application and Reflection
The focal point of the book that I wish to elaborate and reflect on is how or what type of mission work was most successful in the Catholic faith, not how she attempted to prove a woman’s right to lead. After reading the book, I discovered that I was not using some of these avenues of missions in my own life. Also while contemplating where the Catholic faith is strong in missions, I began to question where I sensed the IMB’s strongest emphasis was. When I think of Catholic work, the first thought that surfaces is humanitarian aid. For IMB work I concluded that the dominant push is for church planting. Most of the ladies in our Best Practices Meeting from ERBB (European Russia, Baltics and Belarus) agreed with my conclusions. Of course, IMB participates in the humanitarian field of service, but it is not the most known area.

I considered the following a huge step in my new findings. As missionary women we can be better leaders and professionals by evaluating our work on a regular basis. We must keep an open mind and step outside of our “boxes” or normal way of doing missions to improve methods for leading the masses (nations) to the Savior, especially in our assigned areas of responsibility. It is wise to look at other organizations and determine where they are most effective and incorporate their ideas as well.

Briefly I will first explain by means of application. I have noticed more homeless narcotics even at our church, and I am discipling a lady whose husband is an alcoholic—a form of lifestyle that I have no close relation. Honestly in the beginning, I wanted to toss this book away, because I did not agree with some of the author’s interpretation of Scripture. I am glad that I continued to read this book for this very reason—noticing these two people in need.

According to Smith (2007, pp. 147-160), Catholic mission work reported success with health care, various people groups, “foreign” missions, charity for the poor, social justice work, women in mission to the orphans, castaways, sick and needy, secular institutions and presence (suffering) among the people, why should we not? As missionaries we have a huge responsibility to our Russian brothers and sisters in Christ to help with one of the strongest growing movements for salvations, baptism and church growth today for one such model—work through rehabilitation centers. Especially with the recent regulations under discussion concerning the Baptist’s ministry outside the church building ceasing, we need to pray about these services. How we can partner with our local union for these efforts to continue? I would hate for us to walk away 10 years from now and wish we had done more, especially when this ministry has been in existence for at least six years already. Unfortunately as Southern Baptist or just missionaries in general, sometimes we do not take action until a decade later or a generation too late—a lost one.

Our church planting push may have more success in Russia if we tweak our focus or at least make sure that we include this type of mission work in our vision, masterplan, strategy and personal daily witness, instead of only attempting to start new churches with students, existing church small groups, English ministries, intelligentsia, etc., for example. Actually if we look at the study of the meaning of the Russian word intelligentsia or in Latin intelligentia, we discover that this is a group of people who study a better means for assisting society and to disseminate (broadcast influence) in one’s culture. This would be another interesting topic of further study, particularly in the Russian culture. If we befriended or partnered with more people of influence, we may have a better chance for the Lord’s work to be accomplished on a larger, communal scale.

One of my main ministries is at a Baptist church in Moscow, Russia. I teach, disciple and mentor English students and Sunday school teachers to use their spiritual gifts for the building up of the body of Christ. How can I lead them if I am not seeking to be more Christlike myself and love and help those in need? Jesus said in a parable in Matthew 25:40: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”


References
Smith, S. (2007). Women in Mission. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.