Interview with Klaus Douglass at 3rd of September 2005 in Vaida

Balogh Barnabás

Would you introduce yourself as person and as a pastor?

Klaus Douglass

My name is Klaus Douglass; I will be tomorrow 47 year old. I’m since 16 years pastor in “Andrew Congregation” in out part Frankfurt’s (a.M). I have started to write bucks about 10 years ago which gave me the possibility to do something else beside church ministry. As a matter of fact my ministry has two focuses: one in the local church and the other as counsellor in the same field.  

Balogh Barnabás

How did you come in contact with the Reformed Church in Hungary and with the Foundation Studium Academicum? What was your first reaction as you have received our invitation?

Klaus Douglass

I was thinking: why exactly Rumanian? I didn’t know very much about the Hungarian speaking reformed church; her size was also unknown (over 700.000 members). But the cultural and mentality differences were clear.

By the remark “why even Rumania” - I did not mean anther estimating, it was simply a question to my self - why the people of other culture or other denomination are considering that my books, my theologically view, and my person could be interesting for them.

This surprise I experienced already last year. I come in contact with the Reformed Church in Hungary last year in August through an invitation to the “Collegium Doctorum” in Budapest. Later an, as a higher surprise, I got an invitation by the same Church in Slovakia. I was wondering about the way the Lord is opening for me, I’m excited over similar experiences I find it really wonderful which really enriching.              

Balogh Barnabás

Could you formulate your previous expectations, and the way how it was met? Was it like jumping in sink without knowing how deep the water is?

Klaus Douglass

The truth is the last one. My personal risk was predictable. I collected some experience last year in Budapest. Since that was a delegation by us from Budapest, so I can’t say that I totally missed information what I will see. Anyhow, Budapest is a capital, and I was their in academically milieu.

Now in Rumania I meet different pastors of different regions and deaneries, which were always differing, with other words they were of different culture, which helped me to reconsider my opinion about people here. 

I can’t formulate my expectations at all. I entered with a big openness into this experience, and I simply hoped that God will bless this trip. It is not jet clear how the Lord will bless this journey but I’m having a good filing through feedbacks, atmosphere in the seminar and in the discussion afterwards. 

Balogh Barnabás

Could you characterize the openness or rejection of the local pastors who attended your seminars?

Klaus Douglass

I hold many seminars in Germany and in the German speaking foreign countries. I know that my theses won’t raise just friends.

I know the dreads of colleagues from accepting totally new ideas, or trusting in new structure initiatives. Regarding to this I did not expected for big hooray effect about my coming.

I was deeply moved by the openness by the friendly feedbacks and by the readiness witch I could sense in the Reformed Church in Hungary and in Rumanian as well.

They were of course also contrary opinions. Bat that was formulated well-weighed and purposeful or they have criticised in a way which was totally acceptable. I don’t believe that I’m the person “who nosh the truth with ladle” (how the Germans it call). That means, I’m always accessible for good argumentations, and I graciously accept if people convinced me to reconsider my persuasion, or even if they are correcting me. All that means that people receive me was an absolutely good experience.

Balogh Barnabás

Would you be surprised in the future by an invitation coming from Roman Catholic or the Orthodox Church?

Klaus Douglass

Many would be surprised but I was quest or even teaching in Roman Catholic theological seminar. That means, for me cooperation with the Roman Catholics is not a big problem. Though the Roman Catholic system is a different one and they me have difficulties to accepting now matters.

I suppose that this would be much harder issue with the Orthodox Church. I’m not that familiar with the Orthodox Church in Germany, their presence is not that significant.

I’m all the time surprised when people invite me, I have the filling I can easily approach people and their culture. Anyway, I would analyse such an invitation being aware, how big the differences are; knowing why am I Lutheran; why am I protestant theologian. But in case I’m invited by other denominations than I can accept it as a chance for a dialog and discussion hoping that it will happened in the spirit of fellowship.  

Balogh Barnabás

Do you have any visions and planes for the future which could include also a fallow up of now begin? Did you managed to realize the needs and wants of the people and pastors and could you respond them?  

Klaus Douglass

I can’t answer last question, I’m deeply convinced that it depends and the feedbacks. I was doing my best, as I’m always trying to give for the people the best I can. At the moment I can not judge whether the people could benefit of it but I do hope it and the time will prove it.

I didn’t formulate any ideas and plans for the future, but I would quote a German seeing: If someone said A have to say B too which means that if somebody made up his mind hi has to follow consequent its way. It turned out that I was invited by the Hungarian Reformed Church, and now in Rumanian environment, and later on an invitation in Slovakia.

We already have agreed that in case of positive reaction we will repeat the visit and I also I got touch with the University in Debrecen which could offer a possibility to share some thoughts, I do not want to rush a head, I simply want to show my readiness.