Ukraine is a Religious Nation, New Research Says

Recent sociological research (presented Dec 3, 2009) funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Ukraine and the Open Ukraine Foundation indicates that Ukraine is a religious nation. Nearly 90% of polled identified themselves as religious with certain confessional affiliation. 10% identified themselves as atheists or agnostics. Questions of this research covered variety of areas of personal and social life. Among questions that the poll asked was one about happiness. Answers showed that professing believers are happier than unbelievers. It is noted that the research shows that Ukraine is a religious society in which one can freely profess his or her faith and actualize personal spiritual needs, irrespective of nationality.

Orthodox Church by Serge_ on Zooomr

In accordance with the survey results, the level of religiousness of Ukrainians is one of the highest in Europe. 53% of respondents agreed with the statement “I believe in God and I have always believed in God”. Every fifth respondent (21%) did not believe in God earlier but believes in God now. In other words, ¾ of Ukraine’s population supposes themselves to be believers. There are much less of those not believing in God: every ninth respondent (11%) has never believed in God or has stopped believing; it is probably a strong conviction statement (15% did not answer). At that, 62% of Ukrainians said that they were brought up in Orthodox environment; 6% — Greco-Catholic; 27% said that they were brought up beyond any religious influence (5% — all the other answers).

Ukrainian citizens are characterized by tolerant attitude to representatives of other religions: 71% of respondents fully agree with the statement that different religious groups have equal rights in Ukraine. 75% agree that people should have respect to all religions. At that, 66% will certainly or will probably support a person of other religious views in case if this person is going marry one of respondent’s relatives; 63% are ready to support a person of other religion during elections if this person represents a political party that a respondent supports. (From Press Release “Religion in Ukrainian Society’s Life”, March 26, 2009)

It’s definitely worth to study further this report, released as brochure Religion and Values of Ukrainians, and which is available for download here. At the moment it is available only in Ukrainian language.

Read news in English here and in Ukrainian here and more here (original). Press Release of the Press Conference, held earlier this year on March 26, 2009: Religion in Ukrainian Society’s Life is available for download here in English language and in Ukrainian here.

Worse Than World’s Waste is Pulpit Wasting

People of this world crave for such people, lack such people and die without such people at their death-beds: who are bananas for Jesus and the Bible, who are intelligent, passionate and uncompromising. Heed to this testimony, recorded by son of evangelist at his father’s grave.

“I really, really believe this,” – is a powerful introduction. Living this message out – is a powerful, driving a nail home conclusion. Highly credible.

Legacy of Saints Among Us

What a bravura tribute of love to a saint named Stan, who died on October 28, 2009, writes Pastor Phil Siefkes in his blog “Toward a Godward Passion”:

This man stimulated my life spiritually beyond most people in my circle of acquaintances. He farmed to the glory of God. He raised cattle to the glory of God. He raised hogs to the glory of God. He cleaned hog barns to the glory of God. He climbed and repaired silos to the glory of God. He handed out church bulletins on Sunday mornings to the glory of God. He talked regularly with young children and teens at church to the glory of God. He took people out to eat to the glory of God. He taught himself to play guitar and sang with his dear wife at numerous nursing homes to the glory of God. He ate deserts at church fellowship meals to the glory of God. He loved his wife to the glory of God.

 

Read the tribute One of My Friends Died Today. May every Christian leave such Christ-centered legacy for benefit of souls of others and to the glory of God.

Saints Are Among Us by Serge_ on Zooomr

Blogged with the Flock Browser

There Are Many Wars, But This One I Must Make

I got this twitter message sent by John Piper (I trust my eyes, check it for yourself) then I watched the video clip twice and now I can’t get rid of that thought that there is one war that I must make. There are many wars out there. People fight for different causes; I may feel I should fight for something, strive for something or aim to something. But whole passage of the Scriptures in Hebrews 12 pushes me to conclude that one war is crucial, inevitable and necessary. Read the text online: http://ref.ly/He12.3-17;ESV

Verse 4 reads, “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood” And that’s so true of me.

Thank you, Jesus, for this reminder. My eyes are upon you, you are my Commander in Chief and the Lord, the Victor. I need your grace to make war against sin in my life, for the sake of my joy and your glory.

What about you my friend, who reads this and watches the video? Do you make war against sin in your life?

Blogged with the Flock Browser

What’s new this fall at Kyiv Theological Seminary?

What’s new this coming fall semester at Kyiv Theological Seminary? My answer to the question is: Diploma Programs in Christian Educations, Church Planting, Pastoral Leadership, Pastoral Chaplaincy Leadership, World Missions and Youth Ministry.

I am happy to share that this morning the Executive Council of KTS approved launching of new Diploma Program. It is our noble intention as we open another program in our seminary is providing better and diverse study opportunities to those evangelical believers who are busy with their work and cannot commit for full-time study. This diploma program is going to be our first part-time track that provides transferable credits which could be used as building blocks for earning a degree at our school. This new program will use the current schedule, teachers and courses, and such approach ensures efficient use of seminary resources.

Students will come twice in a year for two weeks of residential study and earn total of 39 credits over 3 years of study. Here are general divisions of the study plan:

• KTS Core (Bible, Church History, General Ed., and Theology): 18 credits
• Specialization: 18 credits
• Specialized practicum: 3 credits

Beside spreading this news our academic office has to update admissions application to include new programs. General admissions requirements are not changed as well as academic expectations from these new students.