B e l g r a d e – The mission work of the Union of Baptist Churches in Serbia is facing major challenges. Serbs usually think all Serbs are by definition Orthodox. Many would consider it a denial of their nationality to attend an event from another religious community. This was pointed out by Ondrej Franka (Backi Petrovac), President of the Serbian Baptist Union, at a meeting of the European Baptist Federation’s (EBF) Executive Committee in Belgrade from 18 to 20 March. Serbian Baptists have not succeeded in obtaining recognition as an official, religious community. Even the gathering of 600 signatures did not impress the authorities in Belgrade. Baptists were told informally, that politicians reckon with no advantages of any kind if they would legally recognise Baptists. “We are now counting on the European Union,” Franka explained. Only pressure from throughout Europe could give the situation new hope. New religious legislation introduced in 2006 recognises Baptists solely as a “confessional community” – not as an official church. This leads to major disadvantages in taxation and in the matter of religious education in schools. Only the Orthodox, Catholics, Reformed, Jews and Muslims enjoy full recognition. Yet during Communist times in the former Yugoslavia, Baptists had enjoyed the same status as other religious denominations.

On the matter of Baptist mission, the planting of new churches and the stabilisation of existing ones have top priority. To this end, two programmes entitled “Antioch” and “Berea” have been launched. Both are named after New Testament congregations. “Antioch” intends to see to it that 10 new congregations are planted within the next five years – mostly in the south of the country. “Berea” hopes to prepare existing congregations for the future and to guarantee their growth. Strong emphasis will be placed on social involvement, including for ex. options for children, the elderly, the ill and refugees. Additional training for laity serving within the congregation is also needed. Franka proposed an ambitious goal for the future: “It would be terrific if we Baptists of Serbia could send out missionaries to foreign countries.”

Seventy five congregations with roughly 2.500 members belong to the Union of Baptist Churches in Serbia. There is also a second Union, the Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists of Serbia, active primarily in the south of the country. That Union, which is based in Vrnjacka Banja, consists of 14 congregations with 700 members.