Soviet Evangelicals Since World War II, Walter Sawatsky, 1981

course had been increased to three years and for the 13 choir leaders presently enrolled, there was a special two-year program. A new revision in the constitution also emphasized that both presbyter and choir leader must serve as “spiritual guardian” of the choir. At the time of the 1963 Congress the AUCECB income had been declining steadily. Total income for 1963 was around 125,000 rubles.*° By 1974 treasurer A. I. Mitskevich could report an average income of 545,665 rubles per year and he pointed out that income had increased in 1972 and 1978 by 35,000 and 40,000 rubles respectively! At that time the 42- member congregation in Voronezh had the distinction of the highest per member giving, namely three. rubles per member. By 1979 income had New Frontiers After 1974 407 increased still further, averaging 838,000 rubles per year, seven times what it had been in 1963.32 Expenses had also increased with nearly a quarter spent on travel and a total contribution over five years of 902,000 rubles to the peace fund. That caused some whispering in the ranks as did also the in-_ formation that around 470,000 rubles had been spent on the foreign guests. Foreign delegations invited by the AUCECB receive free travel, lodging, food, and pocket money with the union expected to treat them in a grand style that will make a good impression. That is a state-imposed expectation which prevents lodging in homes and more modest meals which would be more natural to the life style of the hosts and many of the visitors. Matthew Mel nik, chairman of the auditing commission, also reported to the congress that in 1978 his commission had drawn attention to the fact that the international department had overspent its budget by 11,000 rubles and as a result the presidium ordered economies. These became noticeable in a small reduction in the number of foreign trips. Mel’nik also explained that some of the money spent by the international department was used to pay for tickets for delegates from other socialist countries to travel to interna- tional meetings which was understood to be a way of supporting the Baptist World Alliance in spite of currency restrictions. Clearly, confidence in the AUCECB had been restored, although there was considerable room for more open reporting and trust building. So far, Bratskti Vestnik has never reported any figures from the financial report, although treasurer Mitske- vich could be persuaded in 1979 to read his report more slowly so that dele- gates could copy down the figures and think about them later. More Changes Once again, delegates wanted to devote most of the discussion time to a revision of their constitution. It proved to be a fascinating exercise for foreigners who heard things said that had long been taboo. This time E. A. Tarasov, vice-chairman of the Council for Religious Affairs with responsi- bilities for the non-Orthodox confessions (including the evangelicals), gave a g