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I concur! A very sensible approach that I would also like to recommend.

Of course, EVERYBODY seems to compare themselves to the RC church. I have read a lot of those old "Why I am a Presbyterian" and "Why I am a....." and somehow most of them start off with some sort of Roman Catholic rundown and then explain how they are different. The RC church serves as some sort of frame of reference in the public mind.

I visited an OCA church recently. They must have realised I was as dumb as a post so they proceeded to explain their sacraments as "like the Roman Catholics" only better (I paraphrase). These people were very organized though, really on fire. Their congregation was established by a bible study group that found Orthodoxy. They even took my name and phone number and stated bluntly that their priest would call me Tuesday of the following week, pretty thorough.

Many Evangelicals don't even think RC's are Christian, and by extension Orthodoxy as well. And if your church has "Catholic" in it's name you're going to have to overcome some preconceived notions!

I personally think Byzantine theology is easier to understand and defend in the public mind.

Back to the original point (although still off-thread) the evangelization will have to come from the congregation, not the priests. Emphasizing those three main points of Lemko-Rusyn above.

Then will come the hard work of overcoming the objections of mis-informed but interested people. We would have to reveal the Wisdom of the Ages through the Fathers to help explain the "peculiarities" of the Liturgy because you must know that there will be a lot of questions about that.

And if after all that some RC's hear about the congregation it's almost inevitable. They can help support a mission just by visiting once in a while. They shouldn't be targeted but they shouldn't be chased away either. The great unchurched masses would fill the church if we could get that message out.

Michael, sinner

I don't disagree with Lemko Rusyn about where priorities should be. However, most of the new people I've encountered in our parish WERE Roman Catholic, who wanted to compare Byzantines to Latins (How come Advent is 7 weeks long, and not 4 or 5, for example.). Coming from the OCA, I could explain most things on their own merits instead of having to compare things point by point. (In the case of Advent, I enlarged the discussion to the whole church calendar instead, showing how there are MANY differences between the two, not just Advent, and that they could approach us more easily by trying to understand our traditions on our terms, instead. I suppose some may disagree with that approach, but it depends on who you are talking to as to what works, and what doesn't.)

My Lutheran cousins visited, and they greatly enjoyed our Liturgy, seeing strong parallels with their own faith. They asked me what we thought of other religions when it comes to salvation and the hereafter. I told them I know what we believe for ourselves, but that God knows what is to be considered for the others, not me, or us. They agreed with me.

I am not part of a greeter group as such, but it is important to give newcomers room, and to try to approach the Faith in a way that they can relate to. Ours is a fairly small parish of 50 or so families (approx. 140 communicants on a Sunday), so the regulars tend to know each other's strong suits, so to speak, and can introduce the newcomer to someone who can relate to where they come from, usually.

What I would like to know is, "Is there a discernable mission development program within the Byzantine Eparchies? I have yet to hear of it.

Yeah, I see. I think there are a lot of "field trippers" out there. Not serious inquirers either, like a trip to the museum.

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Coming from the OCA, I could explain most things on their own merits instead of having to compare things point by point. (In the case of Advent, I enlarged the discussion to the whole church calendar instead, showing how there are MANY differences between the two, not just Advent, and that they could approach us more easily by trying to understand our traditions on our terms, instead. I suppose some may disagree with that approach, but it depends on who you are talking to as to what works, and what doesn't.)

I think your approach is fine!

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[b]What I would like to know is, "Is there a discernable mission development program within the Byzantine Eparchies? I have yet to hear of it. [/b]

You got me there, I haven't either. I wonder if it has to do with a lack of money or vocations or both plus lack of ideas. I don't know if there ever was a mission development plan, but I'm very new with this church myself and I don't want to be too critical.

I keep thinking how hard it must be to develope a mission from scratch. It has to be some kind of team effort, not just one guy singing to himself in a storefront. Maybe that's why the Russians sent a group to Alaska, they initially had to provide a choir that the natives could hear. The Jesuits and Franciscans very often travelled the backwoods alone and it works for them.

I think the most logical approach is "budding" a new mission off of an established parish that can ask volunteers to drive out to a new area in rotation. But that is definately a local initiative. The expenses would have to be met somehow and I'll bet the eparchies don't have a lot of extra cash flowing in so that's a local problem too. Then you'll need a priest to fill in while your pastor is 60 miles away doing the mission...

Oh well

Michael,

It is hard to develop a mission but not as hard as it is to revive a Church that has grown accustomed to decline and apathy. Been there. Done that. I'd love to be a part of a mission. I love door to door visitation. I've been trained in establishing missions.

Our difficulty seems to go back to our apparent refusal to seek vocations. Father Loya is very eager to encourage them. I've met a few other priests who seem eager but that same passion doesn't seem to extend beyond that. I don't think that it's an accident that our seminary is so small. I hope that Father Loya and some of the other priests will be catalysts in setting fire to the spirit of the other clergy.

It astounds me that our entire archeparchy has only three priestly candidates. Lord, revive us again.

Dan Lauffer