In this ebook, "Pasta, pizza, and Pinocchio," Howard Culbertson answers questions he has been asked about missionary work in Italy. Originally published for the Nazarene mission book series by what is now called The Foundry, this book carried ISBN 0-8341-0612-4. Some material has been updated for this ebook edition.
These questions and answers reflect missionary life in Italy during our years of service there. Some terminology has been updated for this ebook edition.
True, it is. But Italy's ecclesiastically institutionalized heritage seems powerless to counter a spreading atheistic materialism. During our years there, we encountered unrest, dissent, and spiritual dissatisfaction. We have planted churches in Roman Catholic Italy, not because it is Catholic, but because there are people there with definite spiritual needs. The United States is also often considered a Christian country, yet people there have spiritual needs, and Nazarene ministries serve them as well.
Several developments contributed to the church's changing character. Constantine and Licinius established religious toleration in 313; Theodosius I made Nicene Christianity the state religion in 380. Imperial patronage strengthened the church's institutional position but also drew it into political affairs. As imperial authority weakened in the West, church leaders increasingly assumed civic responsibilities. In my view, that growing connection between church and state sometimes distracted the church from its spiritual mission.
No, the work officially began in 1948 when an independent Italian holiness movement merged into the Church of the Nazarene. The first Nazarene missionaries, Earl and Thelma Morgan, arrived in the fall of 1952. The Cerrato, Wire, and Fuller families have also served in Italy. Both Earl Morgan and Rocco (Bob) Cerrato were of Italian descent.
After spending nearly nine years of ministry in Italy, Roy Fuller and his family left Italy in 1977, turning the reins of the district over to a national superintendent. The Fullers went from Italy to pioneer work among the French-speaking people of Canada. Montreal has a large concentration of Italian immigrants, and Roy soon had our Italian radio program on the air in Canada. You can take a man out of Italy, but you can't take Italy out of the man!
Yes, I knew them before they went to Italy in 1964 and we kept in touch after they returned home in 1968.
A transition from missionary leadership to local leadership often brings other changes on a district. A former leader may find it difficult to step aside, while the new leader may feel constrained by the former leader's continued presence. Sometimes a transfer to another field helps both leaders make the transition.
The Church of the Nazarene is international, although ensuring that its policies, programs, and structures reflect its many cultures remains an ongoing responsibility. Many of its early policies and practices grew out of American culture and church life. I believe God will guide us as we develop structures that support ministry across cultures.
Yes, we do. The church in Sarzana was built with Alabaster funds. A warehouse in Moncalieri was purchased and converted into a church with partial funding from Alabaster offerings. The initial building we used in Catania was purchased and finished with Alabaster money. While we were in Italy, a remodeling and reconstruction project on the Florence property was partially funded by Alabaster.
Incidentally, alabaster (the rock, not the money) is mined near Florence in great quantities and has been used in the construction of some Italian Catholic churches. None of our Nazarene "Alabaster" churches have used real alabaster, however. [ More about the Nazarene Alabaster Offering ]
It translates as Evangelical Church of the Nazarene. Some of our congregations like the word evangelical in the title to distinguish them from Catholic churches. Other Protestant churches also use evangelical in their titles, so "evangelical" has become an identifying mark for Protestants in a country where they are such a tiny minority. Using the word "evangelical" gives our people a sense of fellowship with other born-again Christians.
The congregations we knew generally did not display crosses. In reaction to the devotional use of religious images in many Italian Catholic churches, they preferred simple worship spaces. They often displayed a Scripture verse at the front of the sanctuary rather than a painting or a symbol. One of their favorite verses was: God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
(John 4:24, NIV)
Some Italian evangelical believers also hung small Scripture plaques in their homes where they had formerly kept statues or paintings of saints or the Madonna.
Yes. During our years in Italy, we had building renovation, remodeling, and reconstruction projects suitable for Nazarene Missions Teams. There was plenty of plastering, masonry, electrical, painting, plumbing, and carpentry work for visiting teams. At that time, the sending church or district was expected to have met its World Evangelism Fund commitment. For current opportunities and requirements, consult the Nazarene Missions Teams website and contact the coordinator for the project you select.
It would depend on the job location. In some cities, the church might be able to set up a makeshift dormitory. In other cities, we could put a team in retreat or conference facilities owned by other denominations. In some instances, we might have to stay in inexpensive guesthouses or small hotels, often called pensioni.
Yes. During our years in Italy, volunteers willing to work and pay their own way could help with office tasks, construction projects, or ministry with young people. We coordinated those arrangements through the World Mission office. For present-day opportunities, consult the Nazarene Missions Teams website and contact the coordinator for the project that interests you. [ continue reading ]
| Do you think it's possible that the pope is a born-again Christian? . . . Don't you find that the American Catholic church is quite different from the Italian Catholic church? . . . Don't you think we'd be a lot better off praying for the Roman Catholic church than fighting it? . . . [ more ] |
