PARISH RENEWAL, OUTREACH & EVANGELISM: Some practical steps
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Father James W. Kordaris
Management expert, Peter Drucker, was told the story of a museum that once polled its visitors to determine why they had come to the museum. The greatest percentage of visitors replied that they came into the museum because it was raining outside. The second most frequent response was that they came in to use the rest room. To this story, Drucker responded with the question, “How many of these visitors came back?” God brings people through the doors of our churches for many reasons. How many of these visitors will come back?
When Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” He gave us the great commission which today calls us to transform the parish into an agency of Christian mission. This will require a renewed effort to reach out and welcome all parishioners, inactive Orthodox, visitors, inquirers and all who walk through the doors of our churches. Described in this article are practical first steps toward parish renewal, outreach & evangelism that may be implemented in every parish.
Visitors
With
our doors open to visitors, it is suggested that they be welcomed
publicly by the priest at the conclusion of the liturgy and invited to
the coffee hour, setting the tone for the congregation's response and
personal welcome. Names, addresses and telephone numbers must be
obtained using either a guest book or a guest card
that may be completed before entering the church. Ushers/greeters must
be shown the importance of reaching out to visitors, with a warm
greeting and a Sunday bulletin.
The church hall should be set up with a visitors' table at which would be stationed parishioners interested in this outreach mission of the Church. Available at the table would be information on the parish, its programs, membership directory, bulletin, upcoming events and brochures on Orthodoxy. All items that the visitor receives should be well marked with the name, address, telephone, e-mail and website of the parish, and the name of the priest. If visitors would like, they may be added to the parish mailing list for bulletins and special events.
Public Awareness
Dignified and respectful ads could appear regularly in the Saturday religion section of the local newspapers
as a resource to visitors and to those who have recently moved to the
area. The same ad could also appear in the area Yellow Pages telephone
directory. Area hotels should be made aware of the parish location
& worship schedule. There is nothing more frustrating than desiring
to attend liturgy and not being able to find the local Orthodox parish.
Local Ecumenical Activities
Be
aware of opportunities for Christians of different traditions to
cooperate at the grass roots level, especially food banks, soup
kitchens, and social service agencies. Stay open to the possibilities
for the sharing of resources toward a common goal with Christians of
other traditions. Be aware of those special occasions when Christians
come together for public prayer, such as the Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity (January), Thanksgiving, Advent, Lent, September 11, or
a special day of prayer called for by a national leader.
Parish Bookstore / Book Table
There
is a hunger for knowledge among people of growing faith. There has also
been an increase in the amount of Orthodox writing available in English
due to many excellent translations of classic works. This is
complemented by the great number of writings in English by current
Orthodox theologians. Awareness may be raised through book reviews in
the church bulletin, recommendations from the pulpit – especially of
books appropriate to the current cycle of worship, and parish book
discussion groups.
The Parish Council and Missionary Vision
Place
missions on the agenda of annual planning meetings with the suggestion
that the parish begin its commitment to mission with a line item in the
budget for the Missions (domestic & abroad). Establish a parish
committee for Parish Renewal, Outreach & Evangelism.
Publications
Great
care must be given to parish mailings (bulletins, stewardship packets,
special letters, notices, etc.). For those who rarely come to church,
this will be their impression of the parish, clergy and staff.
Priests and qualified parishioners might offer to periodically submit articles, commentaries and/or book reviews to the local newspaper on religious topics of general interest. The parish could invite reporters to cover the traditions and services of Lent, Holy Week and Pascha, offering background information on Orthodox beliefs, customs and traditions of the season.
Computer Publications & Communication
Equip
the parish with a computer, and set up a parish website. The site could
include all information that is distributed in bulletins, schedules,
pamphlets, as well as photos, letters from the pastor and/or parish
council president. Assistance in this area is available from the
Archdiocesan Department of Information Technologies.
Conclusion
There
is nothing that is done in the parish that is not apostolic. Parish
renewal, outreach and evangelism is not a person, a committee, a
mission center or a project. It is an attitude . Everything
we do is an opportunity for renewal. Every person, every project, and
every list of names offers potential for outreach. There is no limit to
the time we may spend on evangelism. Parish renewal, outreach and
evangelism is a person-to-person process.
Fr. Jim Kordaris is the Director of the Archdiocesan Department of Parish Renewal, Outreach & Evangelism. A revised & expanded version of this article will soon be distributed to parishes as a booklet by the same title. Inquiries and comments may be sent by e-mail to ParishRenewal@goarch.org. Website: www.renewal.goarch.org.
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