Welcoming all to our Orthodox Christian faith with love is truly the Great Commission! Clergy and delegates filled the room for the Ministry Panel “Educating our Faithful to Reclaim the Great Commission,” moderated by Fr. Jim Kordaris, and presented by Fr. Evan Armatas, Fr. Mark Leondis, Fr. Luke Veronis and Dr. Eve Tibbs on July 2, 2024 during the Clergy-Laity Congress. The speakers began with a reminder that the heart of the great commission is Jesus’ command to his disciples to spread the Gospel to all nations and make disciples of all people, and as such is the foundation of Christian mission and the duty of all Orthodox Christian faithful. Attendees participated in an exploration of the importance of educating the faithful of our Orthodox Christian parishes so that they may be prepared to reclaim this call to action. Panelists and participants also shared practical strategies and resources for implementing an ethos of evangelism and discipleship amongst parishioners.
Fr. Jim Kordaris, who has been the GOA’s Director of Outreach and Evangelism since 2003 and Director of Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism since 2009, shared from his wealth of experience in the administrative aspects of evangelism and outreach, noting that change and resistance to change if difficult, however it is needed if we are to follow the Great Commission.
Dr. Eve Tibbs is an Affiliate Professor of Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary, where she teaches Historical Theology, Systematic Theology, and Eastern Orthodox Theology, and is also a member of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches, representing the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Dr. Tibbs shared from her ample academic experience of mission and evangelism, offering insights from her two books, A Basic Guide to Eastern Orthodox Theology: Introducing Beliefs and Practices, (Baker Academic, 2021), and Seeing the Gospel, an Exegetical Guide to Orthodox Icons, (Baker, forthcoming).
Fr. Luke Veronis, Director for the Missions Institute of Orthodox Christianity, gave a noteworthy report regarding outreach strategies at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Webster, MA. He and his wife, Presbytera Faith have seen Sts. Constantine and Helen evolve from a parochial 90 family community to an outward facing, mission-oriented Church of 160 families since they joined the community in 2004. Fr. Luke also discussed ways in which we might learn from our Evangelical brothers and sisters in terms of their radical openness to newcomers and their excitement in spreading the Gospel message.
Fr. Mark Leondis is the Pastor of Saint Mark Church in Boca Raton, Florida. He has served the Church for almost 30 years on an Archdiocesan, Metropolis and parish level. In addition to his work with youth, camping, college and young adults, he has served as the President of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council, serves on the Board of Trustees of Hellenic College/Holy Cross, and lovingly shepherds the faithful of Saint Mark. The Saint Mark Church is a Christ-centered, ministry and outreach minded parish, with over 700 active families.
Fr. Evan Armatas, the priest of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox mission in Loveland, Colorado, shared insights from his 2022 book, Reclaiming the Great Commission: A Roadmap to Parish Health. Fr. Jim Kordaris, who has been the GOA’s Director of Outreach and Evangelism since 2003 and Director of Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism since 2009, shared from his wealth of experience in the administrative aspects of evangelism and outreach, noting that change and resistance to change if difficult, however it is needed if we are to follow the Great Commission.
For more information, please reach out to Fr. Kordaris at Outreach@goarch.org.
Photos: GOARCH/Brittainy Newman.
