There is a special joy that follows from serving others, a gladness that may be seen in the faces of those who participate in ministry (diakonia), which is the principle work of the parish. The parish is a community of faith, a place of love, worship, and growth in Christ—a fellowship (koinonia) of believers who are each called to partake in “the joy and the fellowship of ministry” (2 Corinthians 8:4).
Ministry is not a task that belongs solely to one individual or to one particular group of persons; it is a communal act, a sacred endeavor that summons the collective efforts of all of us, clergy and laity alike, who comprise the parish. Recognizing and utilizing the diverse and unique contributions of each of the members of our community is a significant aspect of our apostolic legacy as Orthodox Christians. Here, we are mindful of St. Paul’s words: “For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Romans 12:4-5).
Thus, it must be affirmed that ministry is a sacred calling issued by God Himself to each member of our parishes. Through a deep commitment to serving the physical and spiritual needs of others, each person will grow in faith and in the wisdom and grace of God. In addition, through ministry, together we will build communities of faith and love, where Orthodox Christians united in Christ will bear witness to His transforming presence.
In light of this divine call to service, it is important to reflect continuously upon the quality and comprehensiveness of our parish ministry programs. The fundamental needs of parish ministry require our sustained investment in the quality of our teachers, youth workers, administrative support staff, and pastoral assistants. Significant attention must be paid to their ongoing education and spiritual development as effective ministers of God’s Word. As we minister to our Orthodox Christian brothers and sisters in our parishes, our efforts should reflect heightened sensitivity to those who come from exceptionally diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, and, thus, have particular and varying needs.
Additionally, as we clarify the immediate needs of impoverished neighborhoods in our midst, we must also strive to expand the outreach ministries of our parishes accordingly and diligently. Ministries that promote literacy, programs that teach basic skills to those in need, efforts to provide resources to the poor and unemployed, and ministries to those who are in prison are each powerful examples of ways in which we can share the transforming message of Christ’s Gospel with others in our contemporary society. Further, ministry must be offered to families, to people with physical and mental health needs, to children and youth, and senior adults. Where financial resources allow, communities should invest in the hiring of professional, theologically trained graduates of Orthodox theological seminaries such as our own Holy Cross School of Theology in order to meet these and other needs.
As we strive to offer our Orthodox faith to contemporary America, we are called to intensify our ministries in a corresponding manner, in terms of both quality and comprehensiveness. In faithfulness to this call of our Incarnate God, who day and night proclaimed the Gospel of truth and redemption to all the peoples of the Earth, we must be the constant voices of the Gospel. In faithfulness to our loving Lord who had compassion upon the downtrodden and unwanted persons of our world, we must seek out those in need, we must offer the resources necessary to sustain and transform lives, and we must never cease to give honor and glory to God for the work that is accomplished through us. Through our ministry, our sacred diakonia, we will not only build communities of faith and love, but we will also bring Jesus Christ to souls that are crying out for compassion, healing, fellowship, and salvation.
+DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America