Our next Spiritual Climate Survey takes us to Czechia to visit with two pastors in a town outside Prague. A pair of Pioneers has served there for 16 years and developed relationships with an array of believers seeking to see God grow the church in Europe. The survey evidences God’s kindness in Czechia through the effects of Covid, nearby wars, and years under communism. These two pastors are seasoned in their own congregations and share valuable insights from two very different groups of Jesus followers in the same city.
Janette is a bi-vocational pastor and coffee shop owner/entrepreneur in Milovice. Her ministry experience includes facilitating mercy ministries, connecting with youth, playing in a Christian rock band, and now running a coffee shop. Most recently, God has led her to establish a church plant to equip local believers.
Rev. Miloš is a pastor of the Church of the Brethren congregation in Benatky nad Jizerou, which oversees another congregation in Milovice. He has pastored the congregation for almost 28 years. He speaks about both towns and both congregations in this interview.
In this series, we have sought the opinions of local brothers and sisters to help us gain understanding of the spiritual context that surrounds us here in Europe. The views expressed belong to those being interviewed and as such do not necessarily represent any official stance of Pioneers in Europe. Please join us in seeking to better understand the experiences of others and respond in prayer to our heavenly Father who sees and understands all things clearly. These interviews have been translated and abbreviated for this format. Reach out to info@pioneersineurope.com if you would like a copy of the original interview.
What are the demographics of the population you live and serve among?
In the church, there are about 45 adults and 15 children. Roughly 40% are between 20 and 35. There are young families and middle-aged couples. Children are mostly under 10. Outside the church I serve the general population of Milovice at the coffee shop. Milovice is a relatively young town with many young families and children, and comparatively few retirees. - Janette
In the church, there are more women than men, perhaps 60/40. The congregations are multi-generational. In Milovice, there is a larger percentage of children, but there are a good number of children in Benatky. Milovice is a young town. Benatky is older. Both towns are close to Prague, so they are attractive to younger people. - Rev. Miloš
How would you describe the health of the local church in your area?
This is a hard question! A healthy church grows. Are the churches growing? I think now we are stable and have good connections. Our congregation had turbulent beginnings. We have aimed for growth and equipping. Spiritual practices that are evident are prayer, worship, studying the Word, and developing relationships. As pastor I focus on equipping those with the gift of teaching, and on pastoral care, offering courses and soul care. We focus on relying on the Holy Spirit in meetings. We pray in tongues. It is not chaotic, but people are free to do so. Once a month we have a family meal and the Lord’s Supper. - J
Overall I think we are in a period of peace with all generations in our congregations. This is difficult to answer. It depends on what you mean by “healthy.” If you are talking about a person, you might say they are healthy if nothing hurts, but their condition isn’t like it was 20 years before, is it? If you are talking about the local church in Milovice, we went through a season of building. Several families worked hard. Now we are in a different season, one of consolidation. A lot of activity has taken place, but maybe some are now burnt out. The congregation is living but not necessarily active. There are some new people coming. We have “friends of the church” who feel welcome when they visit. People don’t just leave because of problems. People come and go for other reasons too. - RM
What geopolitical events have affected the people in your area and church recently?
The war in Ukraine has significantly impacted us. Two Ukrainian families lived in our church house/building. We have tried to help however we can, whatever is happening, both locally and abroad. Twice a month we take food to a local boarding house and some families in need. - J
The Velvet Revolution (fall of Communism) in 1989 still feels relatively recent to people here. The whole country and people’s way of life is very different now than it was then. COVID didn’t impact us as much as other congregations. The War in Ukraine has had a big impact. It’s been 3 years now. We have more freedom than those to the east and many Ukrainians have settled in our towns. - RM
What portion of the population in your area has been the most and least open to God in recent years?
Young adults 25-35 have been the most open. I don’t know who is the least open. Each age group is ready, but it’s about how we approach them. Personally, as a single woman, men are harder to approach than women. - J
University students are the most open. Retirees are the least open. These people lived through socialism/communism. They have very closed minds and are prejudiced against the church. - RM
What else are people trusting in in your area? What do people fear?
People trust in their health and finances. They fear war and the loss of comfort and luxury. They fear death and ageing. - J
People trust themselves or nothing. They do not trust “fake news” nor do they trust the church. If you win their trust they will trust you, but it must be personal, not institutional. People fear losing their comfort. They fear that immigrants will take their jobs and flats, especially Russians and Americans. They fear that the war in Ukraine will come here. - RM
Apart from spiritual needs, what are the greatest needs in your area?
People need relationships and closeness. They need high-quality care, like I try to offer in my coffee shops. We should be a good example of this. The church should be a beautiful bride. - J
People need hope. But is that actually spiritual? Even unspiritual humans hope for the future, or at least they need to, because they don’t believe in or trust anything. When something goes wrong they don’t have any hope. We can find hope and joy in even ordinary everyday things. People here have lost their taste for joy and wonder. They’ve grown cynical. - RM
What patterns have you seen in ministry in your area?
Nothing comes to mind, other than some people who come to faith and then burn out and leave. Maybe it’s like the seed on rocky soil. We don’t like it but Jesus described this. Can it actually be stopped? - RM
Do various evangelicals in your area work together? Is there unity amongst the church?
Yes, in general, there is unity. We participate together in events that connect us. But the Czech mentality is territorial. Unity is critical and we must work on it. - J
Yes, on some tasks or projects we work together very well. Churches in this country tend to work together well. - RM
What encouragement would you appreciate as a local pastor?
I would appreciate hearing encouragement and joy from other pastors and workers, from other local people. I would appreciate a sense of unity and connection, of finding more of what unites us. - J
I already appreciate that there are good, strong elders serving both congregations. The work is not all on one person. I would appreciate more help preaching and with prayer support and feedback. - RM
Where do you see room for the global church to serve in your area?
Hmmm…there are always cultural issues. It’s an effort for both sides. Spiritual unity is important. We need help, but not all help is good help. And the church needs to be ready to receive. - J
Hmmm…I wonder, does it do any good for those from the global church to come serve here? Even for them. Does it do them more harm than good? The world is more mixed, but still separate. This is definitely a matter for prayer. Some can bring new perspectives and support the work even in the background. - RM
Though these congregations vary in their style of worship and approach to ministry, there are many similar insights into God’s hand in Czechia. Let’s join them in praying for the unity and comfort that comes from the like-mindedness we share in Christ!
Thank you to our local Pioneers and Pastors for partnering in this survey!
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.“
Philippians 2:1-2