Thom Schultz

The central act of Orthodox Christian worship is participation in the Divine Liturgy. Rarely, if ever, do the new forms of "church" cropping up place much emphasis on liturgical acts of worship. Rather they seem to avoid liturgy. Due to this fact, Orthodox Christians might tend to dismiss this video as impertinent to Orthodox Christianity, however, perhaps we ought to have a more open mind. Although the Divine Liturgy will always be the central act of Orthodox Christian worship, the Divine Liturgy does not preclude novel acts of Orthodox Christian mission and evangelistic outreach. Certainly, Orthodox Christian outreach must proceed from the heart of the Church, living the spiritual life of thanksgiving to God, but such outreach must also be created in dialogue with contemporary culture. This video affords us, as Orthodox Christians, a look into contemporary culture and the impact that certain forms of Protestant outreach are having in the lives of people who perhaps would never darken the door of an Orthodox Church. We can easily ignore such people and, unlike the Good Samaritan, pass by such wounded souls, and continue on our way to Divine worship like the priest and the Levite. Perhaps, we, as a community, can do something different, however. Perhaps we can reach out to such people in novel ways and guide them toward the healing and salvation offered us in the sacramental life of the Church. Four thousand churches may be closing each year, yet another 4,000 new ones open. Such is the transitory landscape of American religion. Will our parish be one of those closing statistics? If we continue in a rut, perhaps, but if we can break out of our rut, perhaps not. The Orthodox Faith offers a stability that many of these opening and closing churches cannot offer. Will this parish continue to shine the Light of Christ in Reno or will this parish fold? We should remember the words of Jesus Christ to John the Theologian: "These things saith He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands; I know your works, and your labor, and your patience, and how you cannot bear those who are evil: and you have tried those who say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars: and have endured, and have patience, and for my name's sake have labored, and have not fainted. Nevertheless, I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love. Remember therefore from whence you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will remove your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent" (Revelation 2:1-5).… (mer)

There is a lot in this short book and it will take some time to digest it all. Some of the information is very good and can be utilized, not just by pastors but by other leaders as well, to begin to make some changes that could take the church forward into a new century and a new era. I think they make some excellent points about the need for us to remodel - not the building, but the way we actually do church. Church has not always been what it is today and the notion that there is something sacred about the method of doing church is misguided. Some of the things they suggest are a bit drastic and some would be easier to do in a new church start rather than try to overlay in an established church. In fact, my thought as I was reading was that in an established church, it might be easier to create a second worship based around their model than to try and bring that model into existing structures. I have seen this model before within my own denomination (Christian - Disciples) where it is called World Cafe. The group model is Lifetree Cafe. I like the model, but for those who are, say over 50 or so and used to traditional worship, this model would be a major departure for them, and would meet with serious resistance. Now, the draw back to the book is that while it is a great look at a new model for church and at some of the reasons for using a new model, it is also a long advertisement for their program (Lifetree Cafe) and that detracts from the book. I am not sure how you would create this without that though as that is the example that they work from. The book is very readable with lots of examples of ways to do what they suggest and the four acts of love are an excellent approach to being church, so it is well worth a look. And even if your church is not a place to implement this model as they offer it, there are ways to implement aspects of it and of the 4 acts of love without fully embracing the model.… (mer)