With Every End Comes a New Beginning

Last night was the end of the 46^th Biennial Clergy Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. It was a celebration of the centennial of the Archdiocese, during which time the Church as evolved from an immigrant enclave to a nationally recognized Church. We had celebrations that focused our attention on the great successes of the past, but also looked forward to the challenges of our future in America.

Here at Be Transfigured Ministries, I often speak about the growing antagonism from society toward the Church. The Greek Archdiocese, and others as well, know antagonism well as part of our history was tainted by eras of persecution in the New World by organizations such as the KKK. Thankfully, the Church survived those years, and stands today willing to face the future, but are we ready?

One thing I noticed this week was just how many people think the future is just a matter of doing what was done in the past and expecting the same results. I was also thankful to see many speak up against this idea of ‘same old same old’ and push for new and innovative ideas to bring people who have left the Church, back to church, and to bring new people into the Church. I acknowledge that some things of the past might be valuable to bring some back, but will it be enough to inspire them not the leave the Church again. If the Church does not address the reason people left in the first place, they will leave again.

Therein lies our new beginning as the Church in America, and I’m not speaking only of the Greek Archdiocese. The Orthodox Church must take seriously that we are much greater than a social club for immigrants to maintain their glorious past, but that doesn’t have to mean we cannot gather as various cultures and enjoy fellowship as the family of God.

If every time we gather as the family of God, we truly worship Him and commune with Him, then our Church will continue to experience the glory of God. If we do not, then we will continue to experience an exodus of members. The world is our ‘competition’ and if we ignore the reality that we have only Christ to offer those searching for hope, we will fail.

We can never ‘win against’ the world in secular events. We can never do parties and concerts and sports better than the world. The only thing we have that the world cannot offer is Christ. The first century has ended for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, but the work is just beginning. We no longer can depend upon our culture to keep people in the Church. We MUST focus on Christ and commune with Him as often as we are able.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. IF IT’S SUNDAY, I’M IN CHURCH. I’ll just add….AND COMMUNE WITH GOD. If this becomes our motto, we will have a glorious future.