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BY MELISSA LAUBER
UMCONNECTION STAFF

The path to growing United Methodist churches in Russia is not a straight one, but it is one Bishops Hans Växby and John Schol have covenanted to travel together.

On Oct. 14, the two bishops met to recommit themselves to the partnership between the people of the Baltimore-Washington Conference and the Central Black Soil District. The following day, United Methodists from the Mid-Atlantic region gathered at Bethany UMC in Ellicott City for a consultation to learn more about the Russian Roadmap to Discipleship.

Currently, explained the Rev. Charles Harrell of Trinity UMC in Prince Frederick who heads the BWC's Russian Initiative, there are 11 churches in the Black Soil District, in southern Russia, seeking partnerships with area congregations.

These churches vary in a number of ways, Harrell said, but each is seeking to travel further on the roadmap, growing to be more faithful and effective in the areas of quality of ministry; education, self-sufficiency, mission, evangelism and social services.

It is Växby's hope that by 2015 the churches will become sufficient enough to pay for their pastors' salaries and basic operating expenses. The partnerships, he said, would be about helping United Methodism in Russian to grow dynamically, be recognized by society and help people to become committed Christians.

"We want to be in mission together," he said. While the money is important right now, "the people and prayer are much more important. When you bring yourself to the partnership you bring the greatest gift."

At the consultation, leaders like Jim Athern of the denomination's Russia Initiative, said that this focus on people sharing in relationship is helping "a new period of creativity to unwind."

In the past, said Vladimir Shaporenko of the General Board of Global Ministry, the church in Russia was thought of as a building. In Russian culture today, the sense that the building is the church still flourishes - except in United Methodist faith communities, where people are learning that they, themselves, are the church.

This change from centuries of Orthodox thought requires some imagination.

"Imagination is a key component in our faith," Växby said. Should the capacity of my intellect decide what is possible? Should that be so? No, nothing is too difficult or too wonderful for the Lord. With imagination the church can move mountains."

For the Russian churches, these mountains are the huge obstacles to mission built by decades of Communism, the bishop said. "We do it for the Lord. We pave the way for the Lord."

But to do this, Växby said, another essential component of faith is necessary - action.

"One shovel at a time, one cart at a time - that's how you move a mountain," he said. "I believe you area people who can grab a shovel. And together we can get a cart. ... We must stop putting limits to what God can do and to what people who have faith in God can do."

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