Forum on “From Dependence to Independence in the Christian Mission”
October 16th, 2009, a forum on "From Dependence to Independence in the Christian Mission" was held at St. Petersburg Christian University.
The University offered its location for the discussion and debate on various topics in modern Christian sphere. Those included thing such as financial independence of the Christian mission as an organization.
President of SPbCU, Alexander Negrov, opened the discussion of this vital topic. He showed the members of the conference pictures from the first graduating class of the "Logos" Bible School, which later evolved into SPbCU. He also introduced a book by Glen Schwartz titled "When Charity destroys Dignity: Overcoming Unhealthy Dependency in the Christian Movement", which became the "precursor" of the forum.
Alexander Ivanovich pointed out a little known aspect, that the beginning stage of dependency doesn't come from the actual state of the situation, but, from the emerged stereotype about this situation, these people, or these organizations. "They are poor, we will help and teach them" - are often the thoughts of most motivated donors, but often, these stereotypes are inadequate. And sometimes they are unhealthy, as often the desire to be charitable comes from a feeling of satisfaction.
In Glen Schwartz's book, from the position of a vast missionary experience, he highlights that only 2% of the income of an African is enough to accomplish all the missionary programs on that continent. In actuality, around philanthropic activities there are too many difficulties mechanisms on the arrangement of programs. A lot of man power, finances, and other resources are drawn in, when actually the help is in the minimal residue from the bulkiness of this construction. So, it turns out that it is more practical to give people understanding and independence, supporting them in their desire to be the figures which Christ called us to be when He said that "Blessed are those who give".
Sometimes, giving for "superficial charity" puts one in the situation when he does a favor that essentially doesn't help another person. An example is included in Glen Schwartz's book. In an African country, missionaries brought gifts for the children, but offended one of the fathers in doing so, because he had been collecting money anxiously from his small income in order to buy his son a gift. The fundamental detriment of such charity is that people who are used to having someone else take care of their troubles. Strangers are solving problems for them and that withers away their feeling of self-assistance and self-sufficiency. According to Glen Schwartz, in Africa, the locals have rooted felling of indifference to their neighbors.
The forum was composed of representatives from various organizations, churches, and missions in and outside of St. Petersburg.
Some opinions which were added to the discussion of the topic were iterated. A certain remark was made by Mikhail Poluboyarinovim, a pastor and director of "Light of Christ".
He said that any organization or church goes through the childhood stage, growth stage, maturation age, parent stage and missionary stage. Unfortunately, many churches never get past the parenting stage. Mikhail further highlighted another aspect in religion in Russia, of the depravation of the humanitarian help of the 90s, which has now practically ended. Also, what was being given out during those years was often distributed unfairly. And those foreign organizations which were running all these programs spent numerous resources to hold offices, advertise, prepare, and educate.
In light of the discussed topics, they concluded that it more perspective and right distribution of resources in charity should take this approach:
1. The organization of accessible education for pastors, missionaries and ministers in a specialized direction of theological education like at SPbCU. Education is the instrument which changes people.
2. Socialization of the congregation.
The Church is a temple, especially in the mind of Russian people. That is why the availability of specialized buildings, designated for holding worship meetings, plays a vital role in the life of the church. At this point, many churches are obliged to rent out locations which are far from their understanding of a place designated for worship, like assembly halls, trade centers and so on.
3. Joining of the World's Christian family.
Currently, there is not perception of unity and the impression is given that we are living in our own worlds. 
From negative experience highlighted by the conference on there were several factors:
1. Self-seeking character of foreign missionaries.
Traditionally, according to foreigners, if any work has not given any progressive results in three years, then its financial support is cut off. In the reality of Russian mentality, way of life, and other political formalities, this deadline is not enough to receive a substantial result.
2. The economical character in the mutual relationship of the mission and the Russian organizations and churches has not always benefitted. Often a dictator-like approach from the mission was felt. Finances, which were spent and distributed without legitimate documentations and strategies, often became the spark of divisions in the churches.
3. The Political Character
There were a great number of incoming preachers and missionaries during the 90s. Abroad, there was a sense of obligation to fill Russian Protestantism with what was closed off from our country for many decades. The conjuncture changed, and so did the attitude of the missionaries. Only friends were left in Russia.
4. The presence of foreign philanthropists in Russia did not give way to the opportunity for self-sponsorship, which Russian business men were deprived of. This happened first off, because working with foreign missionaries was somewhat easier and bore fewer responsibilities. Russian philanthropists tried to watch where and how their funds were distributed. 
5. Furthermore, those who could potentially become charitable ministers, seeing foreign support, directed their help to the missions. Thus, they spent their potential not on their own establishment of supported figures, but on their specialization in the church and mission.
Nonetheless, everyone highlighted the contribution of charity of those who spent their time, money, and effort on the formation of a Christian community in Russia. The goal of the forum was to fundamentally conclude not to make the same mistakes.
"Financial constituent - is one of the verges of spiritualism. And the movement which has begun to build up recently in Russia, is a movement of identity, independence, and thanks to those who were once here on mission. This position is already a different level. This is partnership, real interdependency and mutual assistance" - concluded Alexander Negrov, president of SPbCU.