How pastors prepare their church for war in Europe
French soldiers line up during a combat simulation. Many EU countries are reintroducing conscription amid the ongoing threat of war in Europe. Photo AFP, Miguel Medina
European Union
War is in the air, and how are European Christian leaders preparing for a potential crisis?
"If Europe wants to avoid war, Europe must get ready for war." These were the words spoken by the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen in March. With the war in Ukraine now well into its third year, many EU leaders are urging the European continent to prepare for the possibility of war.
Former Dutch prime minister and the now NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte has urged Europeans to "shift to a wartime mindset," as many EU members find themselves unprepared for a direct threat from Russia or another power.
In addition to the war warnings, the Dutch government has also advised its citizens to prepare a 72-hour emergency kit along with the advice of keeping a stash of cash in case digital bank services are down in a cyber attack. Other EU states have recommended similar measures.
Given the looming threats, how are Christian leaders handling these war rumours, and how do these potential dangers influence their ministries? Looking to the Bible, Matthew 24:6 warns Christians that "there will be wars and rumours of wars" and that "such things must happen, but the end is still to come."
Considering this verse, CNE asked Christian leaders around Europe for answers amid an uncertain and turbulent future for the continent. Since the war in Ukraine, the Council of European Churches (CEC) has developed the Pathways to Peace initiative. The project aims to bring European Christian leaders and their churches together to promote peacebuilding in Ukraine, such as protecting damaged religious sites in the country.
The CEC's video recently reflected upon the bigger question, "What does it mean to be a church in times of war?" and provided examples of the work behind its Ukraine-based project.
Frank Heinrich, former co-chairman of the Evangelical Alliance in Germany
Frank Heinrich, co-leader of the Evangelical Alliance, says some German leaders have urged citizens not to worry about the threats in Germany. While he says that he does not feel any direct threats at home, the fear surrounding the war in Ukraine is still present.
"Fear is an infection of our time. And fear is something that works quite well," the former member of the German parliament (Bundestag) adds. While he explains that it is important to look to the state during a crisis or war, what is not being talked about is the war coming to the church.
He clarified this statement by giving the example of the COVID pandemic when churches were shut down, and much of the world went into months-long lockdowns. What happened, he says, went beyond the realm of politics. He explains that the fear and panic of that time became more of a need for counselling issues as many, including Christians, lost their focus on serving others and became fearful of the future.
Even during our post-COVID times, the solution for this fear and sorrow is the Gospel and living it out. When crisis hits, Heinrich explains that the church should emphasise important aspects of the Gospel message. These can include giving of our time and money to others.
The former pastor of the Salvation Army says that helping the weak does not mean judging them. It is all about the church reflecting the life of Jesus through our actions, just as He gave Himself for us. "These are the genetics of a church. "
Leonardo de Chirico, theologian and pastor of Breccia di Roma in Rome, Italy
Have talks of war and calamity reached Italy? Italian theologian and pastor Leonardo De Chirico says that the topic is in the public discussion, even though he is unaware of any immediate threats. However, if war does come, he says we are not that prepared generationally.
"We're not prepared to handle that fear, as it's not part of our horizon. The challenge would be to come to terms with it. At least three generations have not gone through war. It's a blind spot."
In addition to the lack of preparation, the plan to bolster EU defence spending has received a lot of pushback from many Italians. De Chirico says that after Italy's defeat during World War II, there has been widespread criticism of investing further in the country's military or foreign policy. He notes that many Italians perceive their country as a "weak part of the Western bloc" and that calls to rearm Europe are perceived as "crazy."
"We want peace but are not involved in the peacekeeping process."
But what if war did come to Italy? As mentioned above, the Bible says that Christians should be prepared for hardships before Christ's second coming. De Chirico says that at the theoretical level, the looming threats of calamity have been discussed, but not necessarily in the practical sense. To do better in that area, Christian leaders should teach more about resilience and emphasise that our hope is not grounded in this temporal life.
"We know this life is transient, and it is important to set our minds on heavenly places. The assurance we have in Christ and His purposes is something we take for granted," he says.
Jonas Ahlforn von Beetzen, Church of Sweden pastor in Örebro, Sweden, and author of the disaster preparation book, "The Prepper Priest's Preparedness Book - How to Survive, Do Good, and Spread Hope."
When Russians launched a test assault on Swedish territory in 2013, pastor Jonas Ahlforn von Beetzen was prompted to begin preparing for a larger crisis. He started by teaching disaster preparation courses through the Swedish Defence Agency. Then, the war in Ukraine hit in 2022, and that was when he decided to raise awareness of the Christian perspective in crisis preparation.
One day, as he was taking a walk, the publisher Libris asked him over the phone to write a book about making disaster preparations and its potential lessons for the Christian community. He accepted the task and was able to publish the book within a couple of months, "The Prepper Priest's Preparedness Book - How to Survive, Do Good, and Spread Hope". The book is currently available in Swedish and has sold over 2000 copies.
The book's first part deals with the practical—how to survive if Europe enters a full-scale war or disaster. Ahlforn von Beetzen says that humanity needs five essentials to survive: food, water, warmth, information, and sleep. The book's second part delves into the spiritual aspects—how leaders and the church can organise themselves during a crisis and what they can do as a Christian community to help others.
In addition to his book, he also offers courses to Christian leaders who desire to help their churches respond appropriately in a crisis. When it comes to the church's role in a disaster, it is important that God's people are transformed into the reality that people are suffering, he emphasises. "How do we equip others so they can make their own ethical decisions?"
Much of Sweden has an individualistic view of daily life. However, he explains that the church should be an exception, as we are supposed to work together both before and during calamity.
Many Christians, he adds, need to act out more clearly of the Great Commission that Jesus has given us rather than embracing the patterns of this world. These patterns can include individualism and humanism, as many have been conditioned that humanity is inherently good and that we can only save ourselves without regard for the need for a Saviour. This makes it challenging to navigate the theological in times of war.
We need a pastoral view that can cope with the darkness of man, too.
What is more, Ahlforn von Beetzen explains, is that many choose to politicise a crisis and take a particular side. However, the Christian Church must look at the bigger picture and work together when hardships rock Europe.
Whether or not war comes to Sweden, one thing is clear, according to Ahlforn von Beetzen. "Humanity has always been at war at times and always will until Christ returns," he says.
"We might suffer in this life, but it is just a glimpse" in comparison to eternity with God, he says. "What does matter is how you walk with the Lord."
Martins Martinsons, lead pastor at Reformātu Pārdaugavas Draudze in Riga, Latvia
Being in a Baltic state, Martins Martinsons realises the possibility of war could be on the horizon. Although the thought of a direct conflict from
Russia has been in the back of many minds. He says he has not been making "direct changes" to his church ministry recently, but he remains prepared in case the unexpected happens. "We are ready to call the congregation together if something bad happens," he adds.
Martinsons explains further that when it comes to his congregation, all important decisions are addressed as a church family by calling everyone together. "This is exactly how we would do it if we saw the reality of war. We want to have the big picture regarding the church family."
He also emphasised the need for the church to provide spiritual nourishment during tribulation. Sometimes, this can come as providing essential supplies to those in need.
Martinsons's congregation has provided assistance in a crisis not far from home. The war in Ukraine has allowed his church community to work together in delivering medicines and sending financial support and helmets to chaplains working on the frontline.
While providing aid to Ukraine has received bad publicity from various political parties and countries in recent months, Martinsons believes that leaders should be careful not to take political sides and not take a backseat when crisis hits.
"There is a place to challenge people who are neutral," he says about the war in Ukraine. "We need to be gracious. And we are all brothers and sisters in Christ."
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