THE NATURE OF A HEALTHY PARISH

By Ann Marie Gidus-Mecera

Lay Vice Chair, St. Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Campus Church, Columbus, Ohio

When addressing the nature of a healthy parish, we need to acknowledge that the Orthodox parish in America looks different than that of Greece, Russia, Japan, or other parts of the world. Acknowledging that culture plays an inevitable role in the nature of our very lives means it will no doubt seep into our Church. This is not necessarily a ‘bad’ thing, but something that happens because of our human nature. To deny our environment and reject our culture would

be impossible and unhealthy for the most part. Because we live in a society in which Orthodoxy is not the major religion, Orthodox Americans are challenged to work within the framework of our culture to make the Truth accessible to its people. The good and holy Orthodox missionaries who took Orthodoxy to lands like Japan and Alaska, in their infinite wisdom, knew they needed to find that which was good in the culture and weave it into the teachings of the Faith. Likewise, the Church is challenged to do the very same in 21^st century America.

Characteristics of a Thriving American Orthodox Community 1. Full Worship Cycle Accessible to All Its People 2. Frequent Confession (General or Private) 3. Frequent Communion 4. Servant Leadership from Rector and Laity 5. Recognition of Parish Mission 6. Implementation of Parish Mission

A FULL FESTAL CYCLE --THE FOUNDATION FOR A HEALTHY PARISH

There is a challenge for 21^st century Americans to participate in the full festal cycle of the Church while still attending school and work. I am convinced the opportunity to receive nourishment from the twelve major feasts through the celebration of a Vesperal Liturgy offers a solution to this challenge without compromising the Faith. This opportunity to celebrate the full life of the Church is the foundation on which a healthy parish ought to be built.

Out of this full worship cycle comes the opportunity for frequent Eucharistic participation. In its wisdom, the Orthodox Church in America recognized the need to rejuvenate frequent Communion, and implemented the practice of General Confession. This provides a way for those who may not initially be inclined, to “see the true Light” and “receive the Heavenly Spirit”. Interestingly enough, this opportunity can lead to more frequent participation in Private Confession, as well; again, nurturing our relationship with God, and building the Church..

DIFFERING PARISH MISSIONS

Participation in the full festal cycle with frequent participation in the Eucharist is the foundation on which a healthy American Orthodox parish is built. This foundation leads to strong servant leadership from both the rector and parishioners. They will be equipped to discern the mission of the parish, which can then be developed with God’s will and the gifts of the parishioners being embraced. The healthy American Orthodox parish will have varying missions.. All parishes, however, will have in common a full cycle of worship and frequent Communion—out of which comes a change in the nature of the parish and the community’s understanding of what it means to be a parish. For example, a parish may be mostly comprised of the elderly. In that case, the parish would be geared to ministries in which the elderly could participate—as well as ministries that would serve those very parishioners. For an urban parish, the mission may be neighborhood outreach. In a college town, the parish mission may be one that builds a strong presence on campus.

RECOGNIZING THE CHALLENGES

This is not to say difficulties will not arise! The healthy parish is compelled to do God’s will, even when that may be ‘unpopular’ or uncomfortable to carry out. As a result, the healthy parish does not measure success in numbers. If one sick person can be comforted by a visit…if one hungry mouth and soul can be fed…if one child can be enlightened, then the work is not in vain.

In addition, attendance at particular services may be poorly attended. Some opportunities for ministry may not be fully accepted. Frequent communion may be abused. The servant leadership of the parish priest comes into play then. As the image of Christ, the priest compels his ‘sheep’ to do what is pleasing to God. He sets the example. He prays. He recognizes the talents of his flock, and empowers them to do God’s will. This servant leadership by the rector can not be overlooked as an ingredient of a healthy parish.

A MIDWEST EXAMPLE

St. Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Campus Church in Columbus, Ohio, was established to serve the students attending The Ohio State University. Located in the north campus area of the city, the parish was located in in a low socio-economic neighborhood comprised of college students and townspeople. In spite of its campus ministry, St. Gregory’s draws parishioners from all parts of the Columbus area, as well as surrounding counties.

Nearly 25 years later, St. Gregory’s enjoys a diverse makeup of parishioners from nearby neighborhoods, rural areas, the suburbs, and surrounding counties. At least two dozen programs are implemented by parishioners who are putting their talents and gifts to use for God’s glory. One parishioner heads up a neighborhood outreach program consisting of a weekly hot lunch, personal assistance, and groceries. Campus outreach and student involvement is growing. A vibrant religious education program is in place for all ages. Clergy now number three priests, one deacon, and one subdeacon. The senior priest recognizes lay gifts and empowers laity to develop their talents for the glory of God. The Parish Council structure is not a business or governmental model, but one of hierarchical conciliarity in the true sense of Orthodoxy. By God’s grace, consensus guides our meetings. Differences arise, but the parish have developed the quality of confronting them without fear of talking about problems and issues. A full cycle of worship is implemented with Vesperal Liturgies for the twelve major feasts, and frequent participation in the Eurcharist. Due to the very location of the parish, the mission of St. Gregory’s is rightfully different from other Orthodox parishes. To say that parishioners were initially comfortable accepting those with mental challenge and dependencies into their church and fellowship hour would be far from the truth. I am convinced, however, that it was the full cycle of worship and frequent participation in the Eucharist that gave us the grace to accept and even embrace God’s will.

St. Gregory’s simply serves as an example of how a parish can be developed to build on and complement its environment and makeup. This may have happened in the ‘Old World’, but American culture presents its own characteristic communities and challenges, thus making parish adjustment and nature uniquely American within the Orthodox House. Other parishes can be challenged to examine their unique circumstances and makeup in order to make the most of their opportunities and gifts.

ANSWERING A UNIQUE CALL

American Orthodox parishes should look different from one another in some form if they are to do God’s will. The Faithful will continue to be challenged to find ways to preserve the Faith in America without compromise, while making the most of their unique situation within a unique culture. They will most successfully do so with participation in worship and the Eucharist, servant leadership, and carrying out their own parish mission. o:p>

American Orthodox can rejoice in their unique call. They are witnesses, trail blazers, fools for Christ. They are not so different from those who settled in new lands before us. There will be many others who will follow.