Slavs to Slavs in Mission

CONTENTS

Prologue 1

Introduction of Former Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia 7

Identity, Culture, Mission 17

Cultural Traits of Czechs and of Former Yugoslavs 27

Czech Identity of Czech Missionaries – Salient or Suppressed 39

Czech Identity in Mission in Former Yugoslavia Countries 47

Interrelations of “Czechness” with Other Identity Facets of the Missionaries 65

Summary 77

Bibliography 85

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

David Symon (PhD OCMS) believes in the potential for the Czech Protestant church for intercultural mission and has a deep affiliation for former Yugoslavia countries. He graduated at Charles University in Prague and then, together his wife from Croatia, lived for many years in the Serbian part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Currently based in the Czech Republic, he teaches missiology and is involved practical
work with missionaries.

Many would agree that the issue of identity is pertinent for mission. This book explores the case study of Czechs in former Yugoslavia countries with focus on national identity of the missionaries. It aims to help mission practitioners to understand what to beware of and what to benefit from. It provides a fresh insight into mission dynamics in Central and Eastern Europe, yet with its aim on identity negotiation of missionaries could relate to other contexts as well.

David Symon has carried out detailed work on the issue of identity in intraslav Christian mission, neatly combining flexible use of theory with excellent field work. His research sheds new light on modern mission from the Czech Republic and into the former Yugoslavia but surely has implications for mission situations in which proclaimers and recipients are positioned along linguistic, cultural, or religious continua.
Paul Woods, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies

Drawing from both his practical experience as a missionary and serious academic research, David Symon seeks to explore such complex issues as identity, nation, and mission. Far from a mere theoretical treatise, this book offers solid guidance to steer a path amidst many of the hot topics of mission today. An invaluable resource for all practitioners in intercultural mission!
Pavol Bargár, Protestant Theological Faculty of Charles University in Prague

“Slavs to Slavs in mission” is a unique piece of work that integrates mission and culture within a specific national, historical, cultural, and practical context. It bravely presents the challenges of both secularism and religious ethnocentrism, with respect to missions and the question of identity, during the post‐communist era within central and southern Europe. It is a must read for every church, mission organization, and missionary interested in modern missions among Slavs.
Mihal Kreko, Baptist Church Zagreb Malešnica