"The Heaven's are closed, but...."

“Austria is beyond a post-Christian culture”, said Don over the Greek food he suggested we eat. “But of course people are searching. I think Austria has the second highest youth suicide rate in the world. They don’t want to talk about the church; however, in recent years they are more open to talk about Jesus. The lack of spiritual vitality here is not because Christians are not trying, though. It almost feels like the heavens are shut”.
Don, an American living in Austria for the past 22 years, currently runs a non-profit aimed at unifying Christians across denominational lines in Austria. Despite Don’s feeling that the heaven’s are shut, he testifies to glimmers of God’s movement. When he and a friend came to seek the blessing of the Austrian Cardinal regarding part of their ecumenical vision, they were surprised when the Cardinal placed his hands on them and blessed them before they could barely get the words out. It turns out that the Cardinal had had a dream in which God had told him to bless the work two Americans coming to visit him.
“Being part of this is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, although it has its extreme difficulties. Theological balance is inherently part of these gatherings because of the denominational representation. Sometimes, all we can agree on is our confession of Christ”. But Don says that this is really all they are required to agree on.
“If the church cannot be reconciled within itself, what hope does a place like Bosnia have? “ asks Don, who was involved in relief work in Bosnia right after the war. He believes it has to start within the church. Part of why he thinks there are little holes growing the spiritual atmosphere is this movement toward unity as well as the intense intercession that remains a central part of their reconciliation ministry.
Another part of Don’s part reconciliation ministry branches into Messianic Jews and Christian Gentiles. Over ten years ago, three men (two messianic Jews and one Gentile Christian from different countries) had a similar vision of a second Jerusalem council, which would counterbalance the first council (See Acts 15). In other words, just as Gentiles were released to be full members of Christ body while still being Gentiles, this second council would release Jews to be Jews. These three men all traveled to Auswitch where they spontaneously met and discovered they all had a similar vision. For the last 10+ years, they have been periodically traveling around and holding mini councils with churches to share their vision.
“At the end of the day, God reigns over the earth and all nations. I think Western Christians, like Israel in Scripture, have underestimated our covenant with God. I believe as conflicts in the world continue to happen and even expand, reconciliation between all committed Christians will increasingly be needed. Maybe one day we will be forced to cling together because that is all we’ll have”.
In Don’s view, staying focused on Christ while building relationships is crucial. Once that relationship is there it becomes easier to disagree and discuss doctrine while remaining united in Christ.
“It’s a long road,” says Don, “but we’re making progress. And there are signs of change”. Quite a significant statement, in my opinion, after 22 years of faithfulness. What a great lunch!