Posted by Dean Calvert
on 5/2/2009, 4:51 pm, in reply to "Re: More Facts"
Message modified by user dcalvert 5/2/2009, 4:53 pm
Al & Hermie,
Isn't the next step, once we agree on how we got here, some sort of consensus on points of agreement and ultimate objectives?
For example - here are some questions that spring to mind:
Are we here to Evangelize this continent or not? Are we here to simply minister to the ethnic parishes? Do these goals have to be mutually exclusive? What should our outreach include?
Are we prepared to proclaim what we believe as the Truth or not? What are we going to do when that Truth contradicts some ethnic sacred cows? By the way, let's not play games here...the next time any Orthodox senator or congressman supports abortion bills, what are we going to do?
How are we going to organize to effect these objectives? What's the best way to marshall resources and use them? What's the best way to make decisions nationally to sort out the inevitable conflicts within the various underlying groups of constituents? What's the best way to use our meager resources to the greatest effect?
What is the face of Orthodoxy going to look like to America? Who is going to get our message out? How are we going to do that?
How are we going to ensure common, consistent practices here in America - practices which are consistent with our beliefs (not culturally consistent). How are we going to ensure practices throughout the Church which will be something we are proud of, consistent with our beliefs and theology, and at the same time keeps our name OUT of the newspapers (pedophile and sexual harassment lawsuits etc).
How do we ensure a wellspring of recruits to staff our parishes with qualified clergy? How do we ensure a constant source of qualified candidates for the episcopacy? how do we support institutions to train these people?
This is by no means a comprehensive list. But we'd do better talking about these things than whether the OCA is recognized by Moscow, the EP, has exclusivity on this continent etc etc ad nauseum.
I suspect the group that puts some serious effort behind answering these questions, and begins to do them...automatically BECOMES the Orthodox Church in America...recognition or not.
Just my humble opinion.
Best Regards,
dean
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