A qualitative research of motivation factors of Russian Christian men for regular voluntary church ministry

Abstract

The religious freedom introduced to Russia in 1989, due to perestroika, gave new opportunities for Christianity to expand. People accepted Christ and new churches were founded. Nevertheless after 16 years of transformation the evangelical churches in Russia are diminishing in growth. There are probably several reasons for this. One major reason which is suggested here, is that only a minority of Russian Christian men are willing to take up regular voluntary church ministry: like being a home group leader, taking care of the church building, having a part in Sunday school teaching, helping with the youth group or any other kind of service. As a result, not only are pastors often overloaded with administration work and can not find time for people but also ministry opportunities are not started, developed or expanded. Therefore this research aims to find out which factors are important to Russian Christian men in order for them to engage a regular voluntary church ministry.