Целта на истинското образование

"Образование, което свършва с ефикасността може да се окаже най-голямата заплаха за обществото... Ние трябва да помним, че интелигентността не е достатъчна. Интелигентност плюс характер - това е целта на истинското образование."

                                                                                                ~ Д-р Мартин Лутър Кинг.

“Education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. … We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.”  

~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

What Is Your Worldview?

Survey among the students of the Medical University - Varna

Although not representative for all students in Varna, the survey is telling of the beliefs and convictions of what is considered an elite Bulgarian youths, the Medical students. The survey was conducted among 65 participants. The questions allow more than one answer.

First, the big picture. According to the biggest group of students, morality is relative and every person defines what is good and what is bad (49%). A person creates his own significance (25%) or it’s based on the fact that they are evolved beings (26%). They create their meaning and values on their own and live according to them (53%). After death they reincarnate (44%) but it is also possible for them to cease to exist (30%). For many one discovers truth by experimenting with data through the five senses (29%). And, finally, God is an impersonal power, which exists in everyone and everything.

Therefore, we could say that most of the students are postmodern relativists (about 35%), followed by the group of the atheists (30%). Among the first group there are many who are pantheists (29%), and in the latter – people who tend to be nihilistic (11%).

Another interesting observation is that, although the atheists comprise a big group, when asked directly whether God exists, only 6% say ‘no’. Does this mean that only they are ‘pure nihilists’? This would correspond better to the bigger picture of religious beliefs in Bulgaria.

This “worldview incongruity” among the answers to different questions is characteristic for most of the students. For example, for one respondent truth is knowable through yoga, meditation, visualization and the Bible (!?) but on the other hand, since we are a product of aimless evolution, we can’t trust our brains, therefore there is no truth! For another, man is an evolved animal but this is not a problem why he shouldn’t create his own meaning and experiment with data, received from his senses. For another one truth is subjective but at the same time he objectively states that all moral misuses are a result of being out of harmony with nature, that there is reincarnation and that God is the Creator of the universe!

How high does Christianity rank among Varna Medical students? Whole 30% claim that God is the creator of the universe and that he is concerned and involved in his creation. On the other hand, only 9.4% believe that there are absolute moral norms given by God. Obviously the fact that God is concerned doesn’t mean for them that he has the right to interfere in their lives.

In the same group 13% are convinced that they have significance and dignity as being created by God’s image. Less people think that they need God’s forgiveness (6.9%). The theme of the sinful human nature is not among the favorite even for those who theoretically believe in God of the Bible. Only 13% believe in the Judgement Day and in heaven and hell. Truth is discovered through the senses, reason and God’s revelation only for 8% of them.

It is necessary to note that nowhere in the Survey the term “Orthodox” or “Christian” has been used. If we had inserted the first term in some of the answers (for example to the question of truth) probably more students would have given the answer that corresponds with the Christian worldview. Most probably these 30% of students who believe that God is concerned about the universe think of themselves as Orthodox Christians because, unlike the Catholics and the Protestants, for this group it is characteristic that they have poor knowledge of the Bible and thus a syncretistic approach to creating their worldview.

The following examples illustrate my point. On one hand, someone may believe that they are created in God’s image but on the other hand for them the Holy Scriptures are not a source for knowing the truth, nor a basis for finding meaning and moral norms. For them there is no life after death either. Another one claims that God exists, truth is known through the senses, reason and the Holy Scriptures but morality is relative, we create our own meaning and after death we cease to exist. A third one states that God exists, there is judgement, heaven and hell, but also reincarnation! God exists, He has created the absolute moral values, we are created in God’s image and need forgiveness, but there is no heaven or hell, nor supernatural revelation! The examples of syncretistic thinking abound.

What conclusions may we draw from this survey? First, the figures given are valid as much as they show the prevailing beliefs of students regarding basic questions of life. Second, it is important to bear in mind that for almost all of them can be said that they combine mechanically mutually exclusive convictions. This shows a lack of an all-round worldview. The survey shows the presence of superficial aspects of metaphysical knowledge based on what the respondents have heard, read or watched (family, friends, books, movies).

According to some this is an expression of the reluctance of today’s young people to embrace a Meta narrative or explanation of the world. Fragmentation in society leads to fragmentation in the spirit. For them morality is a subject of personal choice. The rights are everything, responsibilities – nothing. The choice of beliefs is like shopping in a hypermarket. Yet while in real shopping every person takes into consideration the condition (and sicknesses) of his own body (for example, if you are diabetic you won’t get white bread and French fries), in the spiritual hypermarket everything is allowed… yet just for now. Because sooner or later, in the spiritual, as well as in the physical world, everyone will be hold accountable for his deeds (or lack of deeds).

Most of the students don’t mind believing in one “god” who takes care of their prosperity, keeps them from evil, answers their prayers for happiness, health and luck but who doesn’t interfere in their private lives and turns a blind eye when they act immorally.

In the end, behind this reluctance to live accordingly to the requirements of the Creator is an emphatic individualism and ego-centrism characteristic of the contemporary person. Only he or she (and no one else) has the right to define the meaning, values, criteria of good and evil and even their eternal destiny.

It would be funny if it weren’t sad. Because, instead of realizing that they are created in God’s image and likeness, these young people create an illusory god in their image and likeness. Idle worship is a sin that will be, sooner or later, punished. Because “Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.” (Ps. 16:4)

What is the role of the church in this pitiful situation? What is necessary is continuous efforts and active work among students and young people in general for demolishing these “strongholds in the mind)” (2 Corinthians 10:4,5). Although looking immovable at first sight, these strongholds have no chance when they have the truth of God’s Word against them.

BULGARIAN POLICE, PROTESTERS CLASH NEAR PARLIAMENT

Read this article by Veselin Toshkov published in AP and describing the situation from today (12 November 2013). Hopefully this is the beginning of the end of this government.

Students clash with the riot police during a protest in front of Alexander Newsky cathedral, in Sofia, Bulgaria, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013. Bulgarian police clashed with protesting students who attempted to build a blockade around the parliament building seeking to oust the left-leaning government and early elections to be called. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgarian protesters tried to blockade the parliament on Tuesday, clashing with police as they demanded the country's left-leaning government resign and early elections be called.

Several hundred protesters, mostly students, tried to form a human chain around parliament in an attempt to trap lawmakers inside. Police used force to try to push them away and several people were injured.

The protest halted traffic in downtown Sofia, the capital. Organized by students who have been occupying Bulgarian universities for several weeks, the protest was part of a 5-month-old movement that accuses the Socialist-led government's leaders of having ties to shady businessmen.

Several people were arrested as protesters tried to stop police cars by lying on the ground. Later in the day, police in riot gear pushed away the protesters and formed a corridor to enable legislators to leave the parliament building.

Bulgaria's growing economic troubles and political gridlock have fueled tensions and hatred, dividing former friends, neighbors and even families. The country's society reminds many of the divisions between communists and democrats that paralyzed the country twenty years ago.

The governing coalition of the Socialists and an ethnic Turkish party commands only 120 seats in the 240-seat parliament and has to rely on the tacit support of a nationalist party.

It took office after an early election in May, following the resignation of the previous cabinet amid anti-austerity protests. But the June 14 appointment of controversial media mogul Delyan Peevski as head of Bulgaria's national security agency sparked public anger and sent people back into the streets.

His appointment was immediately revoked. Demonstrators, however, were already convinced that it was a clear sign of corruption and nepotism involving an influential group of businessmen and politicians who are believed to be in charge of Bulgaria's post-Communist transition.

Public opinion polls show the protesters are supported by about two-thirds of Bulgaria's 7.3 million people, who have the lowest incomes in the 28-nation European Union.

/AP/

БХСС - лицата се сменят, мисията остава.

BHSS: players change, mission remains unchanged.

A Volunteer's Experience in Student Work

Here is what a friend of mine, Anna, shared about her experience as a volunteer with MEKDSZ Hungary:

The history of my volunteer work with MEKDSZ (Hungarian Fellowship of Evangelical Students) goes back to the 1990s! It lasted six years as my studies were somewhat extended ( I changed subjects after two years of study) and I must say I do not regret it at all. Neither the prolonged years at university, nor volunteering for MEKDSZ, rather, the opposite is true. I can say that together with all the ups and downs I thoroughly enjoyed all those years! People say one’s years at university are the highlights in life as one can do whatever he/she wants without having too much responsibility. The university years give the opportunity for youth to party after party. As for me, I agree with the bit that the years one spends in college education are really special and give much more freedom than the years before or after BUT those years for me were not about ’the freedom for its own sake’. I have never been a party girl but am very social and would not be entirely happy if I had to spend a week alone e.g. in a forest with no people around.

Thus it is not surprising that I ended up becoming one of the leaders in the MEKDSZ group in Janus Pannonius University in Pécs, south-west Hungary. It is a special gift from God that I had a role there and another gift that I was not responsible for the group entirely by myself but always worked in a team with others. Since I like organizing things and going after people these took a major part in my responsibilities; also I enjoyed maintaining a booktable at our university. We set up the booktable on a weekly basis for two or three years!
Tha national organization provided training and support regularly for all groups in the country, these took place both locally and centrally. It was nice that the centrally organized trainings not always took place in Budapest but in other places of the country as well.

The hours I spent with volunteer work are impossible to count, because I haven’t considered the ministry to be any kind of work. I did everything with pleasure and out of the love Christ gave me by saving my life and directing me to take part in leading others to become christians and/or taking being a christian seriously. I mean serving others is part of us being christians and it is not a duty like doing household jobs or the like. As I understood from God, it is a way of life, a very special opportunity to take part in God’s work. Actually, due to all this, my struggle came when after 6 years of ”volunteering” for MEKDSZ I became a full time staff worker. I even felt ashamed for getting payed for doing something as a job very similar to what I used to do for many years in my freetime!

Coming back to the training and support received int he MEKDSZ group, we were helped both in our own spiritual growth and understanding of what the Bible teaches us, and were mentored by travelling secretaries. We were provided with help in leading the group, mentoring group members, organizing special events, arranging outreaches at the university (e.g. 3-day evangelism) and of course with encouragement when things were not going the way we expected and felt blue and disappointed. We were certainly looked after well. Even though speaking of years before the age of e-mailing/facebook.etc. We corresponded by regular mail and used phone boots as neither we nor the staff workers had cell phones and making calls from the student hall of residence was hard too!


It’s pretty difficult to pick one encouraging story as there are many of them BUT perhaps one of the greatest miracles for us was the occasion when we got permission for having our fellowship group meetings held on campus. It turned out that at the time when we asked for permission to use a room regularly at university for Bible studies there was a meeting at the dean’s office that several professors attended. I cannot recall the number of participants, I only know there were more than 6 people and us, the two leaders of the MEKDSZ group with a request for permission and handmade A3-size-poster with the invitation for the Bible study group on it in our hands. We knew a lot of people were praying for us when paying the visit at the dean’s office, that’s how we dared entering the room... When we told the purpose of our visit, the dean took the poster and gave it to the professors who all read it one by one. Some of them were nodding when reading it through and in the end they all agreed this course was worth supporting and wished us success! So we got the permission right on spot!! It is an experience that is hard to forget.


Another highlight that must be shared whenever I recall those years of ’volunteering’ for MEKDSZ is our daily prayer meetings in a central location of the city. We got a room in a Catholic church that we could use every single weekday morning between 7:15 and 7:45. There were only a few catholics among us, bu the priest was really open in the parish and felt being honored by approaching him with our request for a place for morning devotions run by ourselves. Perhaps the maximum number of people can be seated there is 20 and I am glad to say there were days when we filled the chapel room. And there were many days when there were ’only’ three of us BUT we didn’t mind. Of course we prayed others would join us too because those morning praise and prayer time with a short devotion included made such a difference on our days!

We took turns in leading the devotions and that was also special. God blessed us soooo much there. I wish from the bottom of my heart that everyone experiences something like that. Continuous fellowship with others in serving the Lord together on a regular basis. That is dear to God for sure and enriching for individuals.
Let me close with some words from the Bible that I can relate to my experiences with the MEKDSZ group in Pécs university and ever since. If we have the right attitude and approach to work we can experience the PEACE OF GOD indeed: ”Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anyhing is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” /Philippians 4,4–9/

Български

Eто какво сподели Анна, една моя позната от MEKDSZ, Унгария, относно своя опит като доброволен сътрудник в унгарското студентскадвижение.

Моята доброволческа работа в MEKDSZ започва още в началото на 90-те. Бях доброволен сътрудник 6 години, тъй като се прехвърлих в друга специалност две години след началото на следването си. Трябва да кажа, че не съжалявам изобщо – нито за по-дългото си следване, нито за работата като доброволец за MEKDSZ, а точно обратното. Мога да кажа, че макар и не винаги всичко да е вървяло по мед и масло, това бяха едни прекрасни години! Казват, че годините в университета са най-хубавото нещо в живота, защото човек може да прави каквото си иска без да има големи отговорности. Следването в университета е един непрекъснат купон. Съгласна съм, че в университета човек има много повече свобода, отколкото след това, НО за мен тези години не бяха свързани с този вид ‘свобода’. Никога не съм била купонджийка, но съм много общителна и нямаше да съм много щастлива, ако трябваше да прекарам цяла седмица сама – например в гората, без хора наоколо.

Затова не е изненадващо, че се оказах един от лидерите в групата на MEKDSZ в университета в Печ, югозападна Унгария. Считам за специален подарък от Бога, че имах тази роля, и за друг подарък, че не се налагаше да отговарям сама за групата, но винаги работех в екип с другите. Понеже съм добър организатор и обичам да се грижа за хората, тези неща бяха моя основна отговорност. Освен това ми харесваше да отговарям за книжния щанд в нашия университет, който поддържахме един ден от седмицата в продължение на 2-3 години!

Националната организация редовно предоставяше обучение и подкрепа за всички групи в страната на местни и национални форуми. Харесваше ми, че последните се провеждаха не само в Будапеща, но и на други места в страната. Не знам колко часа седмично съм работила, защото никога не съм си давала сметка – това за мен не беше работа. Правех всичко с удоволствие и поради любовта, която Христос ми е дал, заедно със спасението и желанието да помагам на другите да стават християни и да гледат на християнството сериозно. Искам да кажа, че да служим на другите е част от това да си християнин, а не задължение, като например да се грижиш за домакинството. Бог ми помогна да осъзная, че това е начин на живот, много специална възможност да участвам в Божието дело. Всъщност, поради всичко това, имах вътрешна борба дали да приема да стана служител на пълно работно време след 6 години на ‘доброволна работа’ за MEKDSZ. Даже се срамувах, че ще получавам пари за нещо много подобно на това, което правех дълги години в свободното си време!

Благодарение на обучението и подкрепата, която получавахме в студентската група, ние можехме да израстваме духовно и да разбираме по-добре Библията. Освен това имахме срещи за ученичество с работниците на движението. Те ни помагаха във воденето на групата, в съветването на членовете на групата, организирането на евангелизации в университета (напр. 3-дневни евангелизационни прояви) и разбира се с насърчение, когато нещата не се развиваха по очаквания начин и ние се чувствахме обезсърчени. Наистина се грижеха добре за нас, макар и тогава все още да нямаше имейл, фейсбук и т.н. Кореспондирахме с обикновени писма и се обаждахме от телефонните будки, тъй като нито ние, нито работниците имаха мобилни телефони, а да се обадиш от общежитието също беше трудно! 

Ако трябва да споделя за едно насърчително нещо, може би най-голямото чудо за нас беше, когато получихме разрешение нашата група да се среща в университета. Случи се така, че точно когато отидохме да помолим за разрешение да използваме една аудитория за библейско изучаване, в кабинета на ректора имаше ректорски съвет. Присъстваха 6 човека, плюс ние, двамата лидери на групата на MEKDSZ, с молба за разрешение и ръчно изработен А3 постер с покана за библейско изучаване. Знаехме, че много хора се молят за нас в момента, затова се осмелихме да влезем в кабинета... Когато казахме защо сме дошли, ректорът взе постера и го даде на професорите, които го прочетоха един по един. Някои от тях кимаха, докато четяха и накрая всички те се съгласиха, че този курс си заслужава да бъде подкрепен и ни пожелаха успех! Така че, получихме разрешение направо на място!! Никога няма да забравя този момент.

Друго запомнящо се нещо за годините на ‘доброволчество’ за MEKDSZ бяха всекидневните молитвени събирания в центъра на града. Получихме помещение в католическата църква, която можехме да използваме всяка сутрин между 7:15 и 7:45 ч. В групата ни имаше само няколко католици, но свещеникът беше много отворен и дори се почувства поласкан, че сме го помолили за място за сутрешни събития, които да провеждаме. Стаята побираше 20 човека, но имаше дни, когато беше препълнена с хора. Имаше и такива, когато бяхме ‘само’ трима човека, НО това не ни пречеше. Разбира се, молехме се и други да се присъединят, защото това време на поклонение и молитва правеше дните ни различни! Редувахме се във воденето им и това също беше страхотно. Бог ни благославяше тоолкова много там. От цяло сърце искам всеки да може да го преживее. Да има продължително общение с другите в служение на Господа заедно на редовни срещи. Това е благоугодно на Бога и обогатяващо за хората.

Нека завърша с текст от Библията, който свързвам с опитностите си от групата на MEKDSZ в Университета в Печ. Ако имаме правилното отношение и подход към работата, наистина можем да преживеем БОЖИЯ МИР: „Радвайте се всякога в Господа! Пак казвам: Радвайте се! Вашата кротост да бъде позната на всички човеци; Господ е близо. Не се безпокойте за нищо, но във всяко нещо с молитва и молба изказвайте прошенията си на Бога с благодарение; и Божият мир, който никой ум не може да схване, ще пази сърцата ви и мислите ви в Христос Исус. Най-накрая, братя, всичко, което е истинно, което е честно, което е праведно, което е чисто, което е любезно, което е благодатно, ако иманещо добродетелно и ако има нещо похвално - това зачитайте. Това, което сте и научили, и приели, и чули, и видели в мене, него вършете; и Бог на мира ще бъде с вас” (Фил. 4:4-9).

World Assembly 2011 Daily Impression - 31/07

World Assembly 2011 Daily Impression - 31/07 from IFES World on Vimeo.

Text an Easter Cake

April 17 (Palm Sunday) 2011
Varna, Bulgaria


After my return from the mission week in England I shared with our students about the UCCF idea to provoke the interest of non-Christian students to Christianity by the ‘text a toastie’ initiative (the CU invited non-Christian students to text a question about God or Christianity to a phone number, and then went to answer and bring a free toasted sandwich).

Some of our students got enthused and we decided to give it a try but contextualising it first: we decided to bring an ivy branch and an Easter cake to students instead. Traditionally Eastern Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria go to church on Palm Sunday bringing ivy branches with them (there are no palm trees in Bulgaria). The Easter cake (kozunak) is eaten on Easter and symbolises the love of God poured on the cross for us. Since students go home for Easter we decided to treat them with Easter cake the Sunday before.

We put up posters a few days ahead but since some of them were taken down (it happens often with our posters), we decided to go and invite students in person to text us. On Friday and Saturday we visited 3 dorms, knocking on the doors and handing out colourful flyers with the phone number they could text to their questions, and promised to come back, answer and treat them on the occasion of Palm Sunday and Easter. We met many students and even had some interesting chats about faith with some of them. They were astonished that we had made the effort to invite them in person to participate and that we would come again to answer their questions!

On Sunday we presented our initiative at the church most of our students come from and asked the people to pray for us. After the service a lady came to us and gave us money for the Easter cakes – there was more than enough to cover all the expenses.

After church on Palm Sunday 13 students got together in one of the rooms of the student hostel where some Christian students live. We had got 4 questions from 6 students already: “What do we celebrate on Palm Sunday?”, “Is there life after death?”, “Who crucified Christ on the cross?”, “Why do we use ivy branches on Palm Sunday?” After we talked about how we could answer them and everyone shared their insight, we prayed for more texts and for God’s presence with us while we are giving the answers. Then we split into groups of two and each picked a question to answer. Then we got two more texts: “Does Christianity forbid us to eat meat?” and “Is Katya the girl who tends the flock of ducks in front of the gates of heaven?” By the room and hostel number we knew this was a joke since one of us knew her. Nevertheless we decided to answer the question!

Some conversations were pretty short – after we answered the question and saw there was no further interest we would finish the conversation within 5 minutes. But more often the case was that the first question provoked others and some chats continued for an hour! We talked about the meaning of Palm Sunday and Easter, about heaven and hell, about the meaning of life, is there reincarnation, the person of Jesus Christ and God, about Dunovism (a Bulgarian syncretistic cult founded by Petar Dunov), sin and repentance, etc.

The students would thank us for coming. We also gave most of them the BHSS Breakthrough gospels of John and invited them to come to the student group. A student asked us whether this was a charity campaign and whether we would collect more money provided we got more text messages.  Altogether about 150 students were provoked to think about the meaning of Palm Sunday and Easter.
On the next day we texted them a ‘thank-you’ message for having taken part in our initiative and left a phone number for future contact. One of them texted back: “Thanks, it was a pleasure for me to take part in it”.

Besides the fact that many students heard the good news of Jesus Christ, the second important result was that we contributed for a more positive attitude among students towards the Christian community in Varna. Often our evangelistic campaigns repel people and make them suppress even the slightest interest they might have to Christianity. Just before we went to the dorms they were visited by some Mormons and maybe this made some students never open their door when we knocked. But those who opened the door were pleasantly surprised and will remember this encounter all their lives!

Another result was that now our students are more confident to share their faith. We offered some ‘on the move’ training in answering difficult questions about Christianity. They got some experience in having conversations with strangers and now want to do something similar next semester. They saw that sharing the faith can be a natural and cool experience, without putting people off. They realised that when they come together they can achieve more for God. One of the non-Christian students, after she heard about the idea, said: “Finally someone showed attention to students!” From her perspective we, just a few students from the BHSS group in Varna, were almost like representatives of the state which finally considered them. Our small group had a great impact because we serve a great God!

And finally, the initiative was a striking example of interaction between 1) two student movements and 2) BHSS and a local church. We thought of it after we interacted with UCCF and then were supported by a local church with prayer and giving for running it. Such an cross-cultural and local partnership, realised in a single project, births new ideas, provides more resources, and witnesses of the big potential of local Christian communities to reach out to unbelievers when they are united by a single goal – the cause of the good news in the city.

Please, pray for:
- God to continue working in the hearts of these students and bring them to saving faith
- Our students to keep in touch with their new friends and invite them to the student group meetings
- More initiatives of the kind in the future, contributing to the positive image of Christians in our society

What Will Motivate Our Teachers To Do a Better Job

Is Money the Problem? What about Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose?

I ran across a very interesting video (see link below) about the factors that motivate our performance. Here is what it says in the explanatory window of the video: "This lively RSA Animate, adapted from Dan Pink's talk at the RSA, illustrates the hidden truths behind what really motivates us at home and in the workplace.www.theRSA.org" The video itself presents a research about what motivates us in general in our work.

A few days after I watched this video the Bulgarian Ministry of education decided to shorten the Christmas vacation for students. This led to thousands students protesting on the street. Their protests were not just for a couple of more days off of school. They just wanted to be heard by teachers and the minister of education.

This incident revealed a deeper crisis in the system of education. Unmotivated and unprepared teachers, apathic students, dull classes, higher illiteracy... There are so many problems that it is even hard to list them. Most people think that if the teachers get higher salaries this will stimulate them to prepare well and teach in a more creative and attractive way children. But here I want to suggest that this is not the real issue. Maybe the main one is that the whole philosophy of the studying process is wrong at its core. And maybe RSA's video gives the answer why.

First, it shows that even though for simple, straight forward tasks, the carrot and stick strategy might work, but for conceptual creative thinking tasks, that is not always true. Now, you might argue that the task of education is 'simple and straight forward' but let me remind you that even though this is the impression we get, it's not the original idea of education. When you have to do with people, and especially children, the task of education needs to be done with a lot of thinking and creativity! So, even though money is a motivator, it is not the main one. In other words, even if we give our teachers 1500 leva salaries this will not change significantly the situation.

Second, the results of the research done by RSA shows that there are three factors that lead to better performance and personal satisfaction: Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose.

In the sphere of education Autonomy would mean giving more freedom to teachers to choose their studying tools, methods and approaches, on one hand, and giving ability to students to take part in the process of making decisions regarding educational programs, content of respective subjects, etc. This would lead to a higher ENGAGEMENT of both teachers and students in the process. It would also mean that teachers should start treating students like people, not like 'bricks in the wall', to borrow Pink Floyd's famous expression.

Mastery is our 'urge to get better at stuff'. If the minister of education could get all Bulgarian teachers in one room and explain to them that to be a teacher is not a job but a vocation; that teachers are supposed to view teaching as a mission rather than money-making and that this is their contribution to society. Maybe then more of the teachers would love to achieve mastery. And if teachers could get their students in the classrooms and inspire them to do projects just because they will become good at this (music, maths, arts, history, languages...), there would be more students who would have fun studying.

And, finally, Purpose is the transcendent motivator that drives us in a direction. Probably the biggest problem of Bulgarian education system (and all walks of life in this country) is that the 'profit motive gets unmoored from the purpose motive'. If we would want to give teachers a purpose what could that purpose be? Make Bulgaria a better place? What is the thing that could get them up in the morning racing to go to work? Influence the future leaders of the country? When our teachers become Purpose maximizers, and not just profit maximizers, they will complete their task, or better, mission.

All this might sound like a revelation to some. Yet, we can find these truths in the Bible! After all, doesn't autonomy mean freedom and dignity of every human being; and in't Mastery all about working as if we work before God and not for men, and using all our gifts for making the world a better place? And, isn't bringing glory to Jesus Christ the highest impetus that makes us breathe, exist and move on this planet?

Personal Position: Reality and Application Survey

BHSS Leadership Conference Liaskovets 2010

The annual Leadership Conference took place from 5 to 7 March 2010 in Manastira Hotel in Liaskovets. Besides the leaders from Sofia, V. Turnovo, Varna, Pazardzhik and Russe there was a representative of Burgas where there isn’t a group at present, and two Indian students from the Internationals group in Sofia. Unfortunately, the groups in Shumen, Svishtov and Blagoevgrad were not represented at the conference.

The event was opened by the BHSS volunteer in V. Turnovo, Mimi, who encouraged the participants to serve with deeper commitment to their groups by reading grads’ testimonies about their time in BHSS. After the inspiring praise and worship, led by Toshko, every morning Joro and Megi would offer a passage for Bible study in small groups. Afterwards the students were able to get practical skills on leading by giving their feedback to the Bible study leader. In two seminars Trif and Vanya challenged the participants to grow as servants and shepherds for their groups by committing to serve with insight and foresight, and to immitate the Good Shepherd in leading their groups. The Training by Experience Session, led by Peter helped the students to learn to take a risk and work as a team. The Panel-discussion with Masks” showed what kind of difficulties lie behind the job of the staff-worker. Peter led another session on “Planning the Semester” and through case studies stressed the importance of Christian students being acquainted with their universities and small groups if they want to be effective messangers of the good news in them. At the end Vanya and Mimi encourated the participants to model thanksgiving and encouragement in the members of their groups. Finally, before leaving, some of the leaders managed to organise mutual exchange of visits with other groups.

A Helping Hand for Moldovian Bulgarians

From 1 to 8 May 2010 a BHSS student team is going to visit a few Bulgarian cities and villages in Moldova in order to bring literature and share the gospel with the people. They will also give an evangelistic talk at the Bulgarian Taraklia University.

Bulgarian expatriates have lived there since the middle ages. More recently, big groups of Bulgarians migrated after the Russia - Turkey wars in 1806 and 1832, escaping Turkish genocide. They couldn't avoid Stalin's genocide, though. Together with 8 millions of Ukrainians, 100 000 Bulgarians have been killed by the Bolsheviks through starvation in the 30s and 40s of the 20th century. These people love Bulgaria but are virtually forgotten by our authorities. It is a privilege and joy for us to be able to undertake this mission.

Here is a link to the video clip I made:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw49YGJNljE

Those who are interested in helping:

Gifts can be sent to

The Bulgarian Christian Student Union, UniCredit Bulbank Ltd., Kaloyan Branch, BIC: UNCRBGSF, IBAN: BG39UNCR76301139276954 (USD)

If you have questions, let me know at: trifvanya@mbox.contact.bg

europe: publicly communicating the gospel in universities

Earlier this month, 80 people from 30 countries gathered to attend the IFES Europe Evangelists Conference in Austria. They were mostly from Europe but a few people came from as far as Central Asia, South Pacific and North America to observe. This is the second conference of its kind and aims to develop public evangelism in the different countries.

Immediately following the conference, teams were partnering with different IFES movements in publicly communicating the gospel in universities in six cities of Europe: Budapest University in Hungary, Prague University in the Czech Republic, Ljubljana University in Slovenia, Vienna University in Austria, Belgrade University in Serbia, and Skopje University in Macedonia.

Some friends from Slovenia wrote after the event: 'A highlight of the trip was the lecture at the philosophical department for 30 students and three professors at the university. The theme was "The New Atheism" and the response was very positive - the professors actually asked if we could come back! A team member prayed with one girl who became a Christian. Praise the Lord!

'The second highlight was the public debate at the university in Ljubljana. It was held in a small room, with about 50 chairs, but became packed with 80 students. The debate went well; the Christian students were encouraged and a number of non-Christians challenged.'

Over the last couple of years, a total of 130 people have attended the Evangelists Conferences. Pray that 50 of them will become public evangelists for universities in Europe, strengthening the ministry of the 25 people who are already working in that area. Pray too for God's direction and blessings on the plans to develop similar programs for Eurasia, and possibly for the South Pacific and Canada too.

Identity Revolution

Under this heading the National conference of BCSU took place in The Lesoparka hotel near Lyaskovets from 23rd to 25th October. More than 60 students from Bulgaria, 2 students from Bosnia and Herzegovina аnd 2 from India and 1 from Germany attended the event. As a kind of support several graduates from Sofia and Varna also attended the conference.

The main expositions on The Epistle to the Galatians were delivered by Nikola Galevski, General Secretary of Exodus, Macedonia. In an appropriately decorated for the event hall, in five consecutive sessions he managed to provoke the students to think about those aspects of their national identity that could be a stumbling stone for spreading the good news and to prioritize their belonging to the crucified and risen Christ (Galatians 2:20). As the law in the past made the Galatians compromise the truth, we - the people on the Balkans - carry a big historical baggage that prevents us from being a good testimony to our colleagues. If we want God to use us for transforming their lives, we should be really a part of their lives, getting to know them better, loving them and taking care about them.

The seminars were equally challenging. According to Tim Awtrey, holiness is the thing that God wants us to be and it is measured by our relationships with God and people, whereas our workoholism is its enemy. With his intrinsic humbleness and erudition, Veniamin Peev challenged us to disarm the opponents of the Gospel by means of Christ's love. Doniy Donev acquainted the students with the ways they cоuld use Google Wave for the Lord as well as other similar means of online communication and information exchange. After considering the reasons for sharing the good news and the obstacles for doing it, Petar Valkov and Trif Trifonov encouraged the students to use unconventional, creative methods for spreading the good news at university, sharing their personal experience and that of other student movements.

Quite memorable will remain the games in groups, prepared by Vanya. Devided into 4 teams, the students were to overcome a lot of obstacles and challenges like running down a steep slope, searching for hidden objects, finding the missing words in verses from Galatians, walking blindfold, staying propped only by hands, skipping the rope simultaneously in threes and so on. Eventually, every one was tired but extremely happy because they had managed to do the things as a team.

Certainly the conference offered a lot of other memorable things such as morning prayer led by Niki, small discussion groups, praise and worship (led by a group from Varna and a Bosnia student), informal time, cultural presentations, etc. We believe that everything in the program has contributed to the building up of the students God making a real revolution in our identity and relationships.

Wage War on Pluralist Totalitarism

Recently we had our Parliamentary elections. A new party won and formed the new Cabinet. They are determined to deal with the shockingly-high corruption and crime, finish some important infrastructure projects and take a better care of the Bulgarians abroad. There are chances that the situation will improve since the socialists turned Bulgaria into a Russian satellite again and played hide and seek with mafia (so, people say, it can’t be worse than that). Yet, in spite of the possibility of improvement, there will be many who will be again disappointed. To us as Christians the solution is clear. Shall we be there for the people and offer Christ to them when they need him most desperately?

As for BHSS, my prayer is that we will continue the battle against the pluralist (and interestingly, totalitarian) strongholds at our universities which don’t tolerate any other opinion than their own and don’t let other voices to be heard at the public square. We must continue raising the profile of BHSS and the Church and at the same time fighting for our constitutional right to be able to express our beliefs in public at university. For now it is a state-in-the-state situation, with its anti-constitutional regulations banning religious activities on campus. It is a war that might well take a lifetime or more, but it is a war that is worth waging. May God be with us!

Summer Project 2009

Summer Project 2009

Before the New Wave we joined the students at SP2009 for the second week in Liaskovets. It was as great as ever! This time there were more new believers rather than non-believers on Bulgarian part. So, the small groups were more for building people up rather than evangelism. Again the most powerful experience for me was the social action day when we went to an elderly people's house, a kindergarten and a school. Vanya, I and the kids came with us to the elderly people's house and we had the opportunity to hold a mini church service, share about our faith and sing Christian songs before about 40 people. Afterwards we chatted with many of them in the court yard. Other than that the program was again very interesting and full of events. Vanya and I helped with the Bulgarian culture event, and with the translation. Next year it will be us who will be in charge of the project as Tania and Craig are leaving for the States. Haven't done that for 4 years so we are looking forward to it!