Four Protestant groups in Russia have launched an organization they hope will give them a more effective public voice. At a March 5 press conference in Moscow, Seventh-day Adventists, Baptists and two Pentecostal associations announced the formation of the Consultative Council of the Heads of Protestant Unions, a coalition that will speak out on political and legal issues that could impact religion.

“The main idea of this council is to protect religious freedom, to make official statements in the name of Protestant churches, observe the law-making process from a religious perspective, and participate in social projects,” reports Valery Ivanov, communication director for the Adventist Church in the region. 

“As the strength of Protestants increases in Russia, we want to play a more significant role in the life of our society,” he adds. “We want our voice to be heard not only inside our churches, but outside them as well.”

Vasily Stolyar, head of the Adventist Church in west Russia, emphasizes that the coalition is not a “union of faith,” but a vehicle for speaking out in a unified way on issues of common concern. “We do not intend to play an active role in politics,” he said in a recent interview with the Moscow Times. “But we are planning to improve cooperation in social projects, such as customs clearance of foreign humanitarian aid and coordination of our position in the field of religious freedom.”

The first issue tackled by the new Council is a proposed law that would distinguish between “traditional” and “non-traditional” churches in Russia. “We think that it would create a division in society,” Stolyar told the Times. “Russia is a secular society and it should not be divided among those who are presumably better and worse believers.”

The group will meet each month, and membership in the Council is open to other Protestant organizations.