Can we learn from one another?

We recently concluded the Berlin Church Planting Summit.  It was a forum between 14-U.S. churches and 7-FeG church planting projects to discuss how to help multiply healthy churches in Berlin/Brandenburg. There were many good ideas, mutual encouragement, and the beginning of several long term relationships.

During the Summit, Timo Heimlich and I were interviewed by a radio affiliate of TransWorld Radio. (Catch it here in German.)  The interviewer was intrigued by the idea of why churches in America would be interested in the spiritual condition in Berlin.  Perhaps I was caught off-guard because it did not feel abnormal to me.  During the interview I responded to this question by stated that my American colleagues were here to serve and learn.  Is that unusual in today’s political climate? It must be, as this piqued the reporter’s interest.

My view.  In many U.S. regions, America is dealing more and more with the decreasing influence of Christianity.  While the U.S. is not yet post-Christian, many think that this is the path that lies ahead. Post-Christianity is the situation we see in Europe.  Americans need to learn from what church planters and pastors face daily in a city like Berlin.  The secular, spiritually- tolerant mix creates a living-learning-laboratory than can be very important to evangelism and discipleship in the American future.

The church in eastern Germany is small in numbers and young in experience.  Yet they are rich in learning how to deal with issues that are on the forefront of the next generation of young adults.  The American church can help directly with increasing resources, including sending workers, to grow the church in Europe.  Yet they too can directly learn about life transformation (discipleship) in a place that is relatively hostile to the gospel.

We can learn from one another.