www.byzcath.org Forums Evangelization outreach

I'm not able to attend the conference on 6 August, but just want to share one idea that could perhaps could be discussed and considered at the meeting.

One of the greatest untapped sources of growth could be those who have left the faith for other ecclesial traditions. This includes those who married outside the faith and now attend the faith community of their partner, those who attend other venues for various reasons: distance, length of liturgy, ease of disciplines of other communities compared to that of the Byzantine Church, dissatisfaction, etc.

What could be done to convince them to return to their faith and it's practice? What were some of the reasons they left and how have these been addressed, changed, and redressed since they left the faith? Would they be willing to "come and see" and perhaps return.

We've had a couple of these at our parish, who returned to the faith after years of attending other ecclesial communities with their partners, and a couple of partners of long time parishioners who have now begun attending Liturgy weekly after worshipping separately from their spouses for many years.

We had untold multitudes (from my parish's past) who worship in other parishes for various reasons or now practice no faith at all. If we could get these people to "come home," that would be a great tool to show others who have no faith that there's a reason to come to know Christ through our faith and Church.

Any thoughts? Have other parishes tried to motivate people to "return?"

John,

If the parish has radically changed or the person who left has radically changed then there is some promise here. Sadly, most of the time the person left for what he/she believed (s?) to be a very good reason. If the Church has not changed in the interim it is not likely that the person will return. Even if the Church has changed, New pastor, some people died who were thought to be disagreeable to the person, etc. how does one convince that person that things have in fact changed?

If the person has reached a crisis point in his life and if members who know the person has kept up a friendship then that person may help that person convert back to the Church if true kindness is shown.

It seems to me everything has to do with whether or not the people believe that what is lived at and through the parish is life saving. If they do then no program is necessary. If they don't then all the programs in the world won't make a difference.

Dan L

I am all for trying to reach out to those who have left and for attempting to get them to return. But there are folks out there whom I would call poisonous people. They are bitter, unhappy, have a grudge against the Church, are at odds with the teachings of the Church, etc., etc. Unless they have a change of heart, do you really want them in your parish? Some of these folks can poison the atmosphere where ever they go. I have met a few whose lives will be remembered for the damage they did, not for anything good.

byzanTN,

Right you are. There are exceptions but many leave because they are bitter people.

The real white unto harvest fields exist among those who have no church at all. Those are the ones that will bear the most fruit.

Dan L

byzTN and Dan L--

While in the history of my parish in particular, there was AT LEAST one pastor that drove people away in good numbers, a few have returned with the advent of a new pastor. I know some discontented (for other reasons) folks who have left as well

I'm mainly talking about people for have left due to mixed marriages, laziness ("being Greek Catholic is just too hard"), or just no good reason at all ("I live closer to St. Blah-blah's, so I go there for mass"). We have tons of children of parishioners, and as I said, former parishioners who have left for the above reasons. They are, for the most part, not discontented, angry, or bitter. They just go elsewhere or nowhere at all.

I'm sure that MOST other parishes have the same situation. I'm just suggesting that we minister to "our own" first.

John

One of the tools necessary to deal with this is in home visitation. There needs to be teams developed in each parrish that go to the homes of folks and spend time with them, finding out what their particular situation is, praying with them, and getting that help they need.

I know for Deacon Stan, home evangelization is very important. The ability to touch souls and make a difference just simply because you took the time to STOP, SAY HELLO and LISTEN, will bring many back to the Churches.

Pani Rose

John, St. Augustine once said many centuries ago that it was easier to convert a hedonistic pagan than it was to convince someone who has left the faith to return to it.

I know from a few contacts with people who have left either the Catholic or Orthodox churches for fundamental Protestant sects this is absolutely true. Often times with these situations there is a bad marriage that took place in the parish, some kind of very bitter baggage with a series of parish events, bad blood with a pastor, etc. that are very emotional and often extremely difficult to overcome and move on.

While we certainly need to not forget about these people who have left us for other churches, and MUST keep up our prayer vigil for them, there are so, so many today who are unchurched, who have not experienced the deifying grace that comes from turning one's life to Christ through the Mysteries.

We recently had a baptism of an unbaptized adult man and his infant son. His wife is now also taking instruction, and their word of mouth has sparked interest with others they know. A beautiful domestic church in the making.

The level of desacrilization and secularization of society has stripped so many families of any Christian sense or identity.

We need to get out and work on those perhaps even more, make those who know little or nothing about Christ into praying domestic churches, and the results and fruits will be incredible.

Diak,

I think it would be edifying to know some more of that story. What prompted that family to investigate? Chances are it was a conversation, or a friendship with, or a kindness shown by a member which sparked or uncovered a desire to know God. Do you know any more of the story?

Dan L