Soviet Evangelicals Since World War II, Walter Sawatsky, 1981

of the AUCECB. All other speakers had a similar positive note, but they also attempted in varying degrees to offer constructive criticism. That came in the form of proposals which they knew could not be decided at the moment, but they hoped they could be achieved during the coming five-year period. These speeches could be summarized with the phrase: “Thank you for trying, but we want more. They were thankful for the Bibles, but they wanted more. They wanted to see Bibles printed in Moldavian, Estonian, Ukrainian, German and other languages. They were thankful for Bratskii Vestnik, although some speakers reported that they scarcely ever saw it, and they earnestly hoped that it would be possible to print more copies in the future. Seminars introduced in conjunction with the presbyter conferences were working well, many delegates reported, but they asked for more of these with broader participation. They were thankful, as Jacob Dukhonchenko from the Ukraine reported, for those who could participate in the correspondence course, but it would be better if more students could participate. Perhaps the most widely repeated request was for more attention to music. There should be more publications of choral materials. They asked for choral di- rector seminars to be included in the seminar activity. They also asked for music courses as part of the correspondence course. ~ A great many delegates were still concerned about the problem of dis- unity. Some shared personal experiences of attempting reconciliation with Reform Baptists. Others described how they were attempting to maintain unity with the Pentecostals. The advice that came through repeatedly was that, for more unity, there should be more love. Delegates voted by flashing their blue delegate cards in the air. But 422 Soviet Evangelicals Since World War Il the opportunities to vote were primarily to express iaemaehie approve - the general secretary’s report, for the brief financial report, and for the re: lution summarizing the activity that came at the end. oe specific policy recommendations based on the discussion w they could vote, But they managed to vote after all. Each discussion speaker _ granted seven minutes to speak. Most speakers were just getting pan up at the end of this time when the chairman tapped a spoon against a glass of water. If delegates liked what the speaker said, they would shout to ‘ei to continue. But if they did not like what the speaker was saying, ae would shout, “Vse, Vse” (that’s all, that’s all), until he had to stop. But t = there was one closed session where the voting was direct and not necessarily unanimous. Delegates Elect New President : Before the Congress started several observers remarked that the Moscow leadership was quite anxious about the elections. Seventy-six-year- old President Ilia G. Ivanov was in failing health and had indicated ea t