P r a g u e - The new mission strategy of the US-Southern Baptist International Mission Board (IMB) was criticised sharply at the European Baptist Federation (EBF) Council sessions, which took place in Prague from 22 - 25 September. A report of the EBF Executive unanimously accepted by the 130 delegates from 50 EBF-member unions states: “At a time when evangelical missiological thinking is emphasising equal partnership, indigenisation and the importance of contextualising the Gospel, the IMB seems to rely on an older, more paternalistic model of mission with an over-dependence on the ‘expertise’ of missionaries from the USA.” The report, entitled “The Relationship between the EBF and the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention”, is the result of a survey done by the EBF-Executive among the EBF-member unions and reported on at the Prague sessions. A small number of member unions enjoys good relations with the personnel of this US-mission agency, another minority group is „very unhappy about relationships“. The majority of unions regret that IMB-missionaries „are working independently of the unions. There is little contact, and less co-operation.”

The report notes that until the early 1990s relations with the IMB and his predecessor organisation FMB (Foreign Mission Board) were very positive. Yet by the end of the 1990s, the IMB had formulated a new missions strategy which concentrated strictly on „unreached people groups“. This has weakened the connections with national Baptist unions. The report continues: “So far as we can see, it has not had great success across our region in producing strong, vibrant churches.” If indeed vibrant new congregations have been formed, then they have not had contact with national Baptist unions.

Delegates expressed further criticism during the ensuing discussion on the report. Speakers regretted that not only were there no contacts with these US-missionaries in their countries, the IMB’s inadequate missions strategy was also wasting donations. IMB-Regional Director Rodney Hammer (Prague), who coordinates the work of 400 missionaries in 25 former Eastern Block countries, rejected the accusations as unjustified. European Baptists should accept unity in diversity not only among themselves; they should also tolerate various concepts of mission. Hammer expressed interest in a good partnership with the EBF.

In a resolution EBF delegates expressed support for an interdenominational Christian campaign to combat global poverty: “The gap between the rich and poor in our world is wider than ever.” The text calls EBF-member unions to pray more resolutely for change and to campaign politically for the reduction of poverty. Rich countries should donate 0,7% of their national income to international aid. The debt of the poorest countries should be waived and trade barriers lifted. “We declare our faith that all people everywhere are made in the image of God and have the right to live in freedom from poverty, injustice and violence.”