«For we are God's fellow-workers…»

In the Samara UMC the fifth Family seminar, under the title „To be yourself in the problems of today’s society “, was held this April.

1 Corinthians 3:9

The topic of dependency and co-dependency was thoroughly scrutinised. The first two days of the seminar were conducted by the already beloved in Samara psychologists Michail Telepov and Nadegda Telepova; the third day, however, was lead by the headmaster of rehabilitation centre “Salvation” Ljubov Voronina.

People might have attended the previous seminars out of curiosity, but this time they came because of their needs. The issue is crucial and thorny – a burning question for the whole society. As statistics claim, in every second Russian family there is an alcoholic. Are there families where there is no dependent or co-dependent person? As we have learnt from the seminar – there is none. Indeed, to be dependent does not mean to drink, smoke or do drugs. People are dependent from the Internet, TV, work, food, sex and even anger (a gush of anger triggers adrenalin rush that equals to 20 doses of heroine). One can read about this and other issues in detail in the book of Michail Telepov and Nadegda Telepova “From grief to joy”.
The reaction of the audience was really diverse. In general, the reaction was quite positive, as people received answers to their question and guidelines to act. Some were shocked as they have found characteristics of a dependency in themselves. Some were discontented by the scientific approach of the speakers: “They do not seem to be Christians, once explaining everything from the point of view of psychology, it is not spiritual enough”. Let me say a word in behalf of the speakers.
Christianity believes not only in God, but also in a human. God himself believes in us and has not created us as thoughtless puppets. We are precious to God; we are his children, friends, priesthood, servants and fellow-workers. And our fellow-work might be explained as “synergism”:
synergism is the position of those who hold that salvation involves some form of cooperation between divine grace and human freedom.
Should a man remain languid and ignorant in the struggle with lust and flesh? Should a man stay away from psychology, the science of the soul? Or should we start refining ourselves, progress, grow, help God? And yes, we are able to help God, the one who is almighty and sovereign, as he himself has trusted us to do God’s work.
The Family seminars provide us with information how to behave in challenging situations. And this information really works. Christian professionals gain influence with unbelievers, and for new people the lectures help greatly as they see Christian approach to psychology. For Christians, however, the seminars are a great opportunity to believe in a human; realize how many things depend on us.
Dear Christians, there is no use of being languid and ignorant and sit still waiting something from above. It is time to act, refine yourself, and improve your relations with God, yourself and people. May our work be scientifically precise, fruitful and successful. God will make impossible possible in our lives, he will restore his image in us and transform “into the same image from glory to glory”.