We’ve Gotten Stewardship All Wrong
This kickoff podcast explains why our current Parish approaches to stewardship completely miss the mark and introduces a series of podcasts that will explore a new stewardship, Parish and personal...
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Stewardship and Faith
In this video, Fr. Chris speaks with Bill Marianes, an archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, attorney, and expert on mobilizing Church Stewardship. Mr. Marianes defines Stewardship as “What you do...
View ArticleThe SIN Challenge
In this installment of Stewardship Calling, Bill Marianes begins to describe the “SIN Challenge” facing Christian churches. SIN stands for Spirituality, Income, and Numbers and Engagement. He focuses...
View ArticleThe SIN Challenge, Part 2 – The Income Challenge in our Churches
This podcast is the second in the three-part series on the Stewardship “SIN” (Spirituality, Income, and Numbers) challenges faced by Christian churches today. We briefly explore highlights of some of...
View ArticleThe SIN Challenge, Part 3 – The Numbers Challenge in our Churches
This podcast is the third in the three-part series on the Stewardship Spirituality, Income and Numbers challenges (what I refer to as the “SIN” challenge) faced by Christian churches today. We briefly...
View ArticleLangley, British Columbia: St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church
St. Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church in Langley, B.C, is a parish of the Orthodox Church in America, located in suburban Vancouver on the Canadian west coast. Its pastor is Fr. Lawrence Farley who...
View ArticleChicago, IL: Serbian Orthodox Church of the Holy Resurrection
About a year ago, I started my third year of college. I had to move to Chicago and change my whole routine, including my church. However, my new parish is simply beyond words. It is the Serbian...
View ArticleShoreline, WA: Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church
Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church is a fantastic eclectic mix of people whose unique stories brought them through our doors. It is a great sized church, not too big where you feel lost in the sea of...
View ArticleVenice, FL: Holy Spirit Orthodox Church
Holy Spirit Orthodox Church in Venice Florida is a parish of the Orthodox Church in America, founded in 1984. We are located at 700 Shamrock Blvd, Venice FL 34293, 941-685-0623. Our website is...
View ArticleCheyenne, WY: Saints Constantine and Helen Orthodox Church
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming might be located in the “Playground of the West,” but when it comes to living out our faith and spreading the Good News of Jesus...
View ArticleVictoria, British Columbia, Canada: All Saints of Alaska Orthodox Church
Founded originally in the 1980s, the original Orthodox Church in America mission parish went dormant and was revived in 2002. We are now a small but full parish with an interesting mix of converts and...
View ArticleThe Scriptural Foundation of Stewardship – Part 1
The Scriptural Foundation of Stewardship – Part 1 is the first of a multipart series that explores the Scriptural foundation of stewardship. The Holy Gospel is the greatest book ever written that...
View ArticleTabitha, which means Dorcas
Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in...
View ArticleHoly Fist Bumps and Raising Children
This past Sunday, I received a holy fist bump. Yes, I am serious, a holy fist bump. It was given to me by a nervous 8-year-old new altar boy. It is a story of raising our children in trust that the...
View ArticleThe Long Shadows of Byzantium
Every time I stand at the altar in our little church of St. Herman’s in Langley, B.C., I stand in the long shadows of Byzantium. That is, I find myself facing the processional cross which we keep at...
View ArticleMinding Our Language
We’re an ethnic parish, jurisdictionally. But we’re not even close to monolithic culturally. This is the San Francisco Bay Area, after all. We’ve got a little bit of everybody all up in here. Now Greek...
View ArticleMonasticism in the Life of the Church
In this episode of Our Life in Christ and in America, Bill Hinkle interviews Fr. Peter Heers, an American priest serving as the rector of St. Elias the Prophet Orthodox Church in Thessaloniki, Greece....
View ArticleThe Scriptural Foundation of Stewardship – Part 2
This is the second of a multi-part series that explores the Scriptural foundation of stewardship. The Holy Gospel is the greatest book ever written that teaches, describes and explains true Christian...
View ArticleSeven Things PKs Want You to Know
There have been a few posts recently in the Orthodox blogosphere about PKs (Priest’s Kids), but interestingly enough, not by a PK. There’s no doubt that the life of a PK is unique. Here are some things...
View ArticleHouston, TX: Saint Joseph Orthodox Church
Houston is a very big city. We moved here in 2012 not knowing much about the ramifications of big city life, especially as it might affect church life. I am guessing at this, since I only have a data...
View ArticleHow to Start a Welcoming Committee at Your Church
Our church had a strange problem: we had a ton of visitors. Many of them would pop in during the liturgy, and then they were gone in a flash when it was time for coffee hour. “Did you see that new...
View ArticleLet’s Go Clubbing
What is the purpose of the church? Why do we have it or need it? Join Chuck Powell, who has since become Fr. Barnabas Powell, as he asks the question: what’s the primary task of a Christian Church?...
View ArticleMartyr Rugs and Angelic Voices
God loves us, and we can find this to be so in the beauty that surrounds us. Sometimes we are watching and listening for it. Sometimes we are not. Icons have a special, deep beauty that can help us to...
View ArticleSaint John of Shanghai and San Francisco
An OCN staff member discovered a wonderful article (with photographs!) about Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco on the website of a church in Kennewick, WA, of which this saint is the patron....
View ArticleYes, you only live once, but…
“Well, those who are now young, will go to Church when they get old, but now, most likely, they want to use and exploit the youth they have, as a song says, ‘Take everything out of life, today you are...
View ArticleNJ.com: Largest Coptic Church in USA to Expand
The first Coptic Orthodox parish to be founded in the United States proves that it is continuing to grow and thrive. $3.2 million community center being built by The Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mark...
View ArticleThe Monastery and the Parish
How is a monastery like a parish? How is it different? In this intriguing interview, His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh talks with Fr. Chris about how monasticism differs from parish life....
View ArticleThe Work of a Leader Begins at Liturgy
“Let no man’s place, or dignity, or riches, puff him up; and let no man’s low condition or poverty abase him. For the chief points are faith towards God, hope towards Christ, the enjoyment of those...
View ArticleThe Children’s Word: What’s Missing?
Welcome to The Children’s Word, a weekly ministry of the Orthodox Christian Network brought to you by Presvytera Alexandra Houck! This week, Pres. Alexandra reminds us to look for the Cross and shares...
View ArticleOn Following Christ
In mid-September, the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the Elevation of the Cross. This feast commemorates the re-discovery of the True Cross by St. Helen in Jerusalem in AD 325. In the Gospel...
View ArticleLeaving the Church
I was recently asked to reflect on the question, “Why do people leave the church?”, a question which was inspired by an article in the Christian Post. This particular question, and this particular...
View ArticleThe Children’s Word: Go Away!
Welcome to The Children’s Word, a weekly ministry of the Orthodox Christian Network brought to you by Presvytera Alexandra Houck! This week, Pres. Alexandra tells a story about when Saint Peter told...
View ArticleHoly Nativity Antiochian Orthodox Church in Langley, British Columbia
Have you ever worshiped in a barn? What would you name a church that worships in a barn? My church began in 2002 as readers’ services conducted in a converted sheep barn in Langley, British Columbia...
View ArticleThe Children’s Word: How to Be Rich!
Welcome to The Children’s Word, a weekly ministry of the Orthodox Christian Network brought to you by Presvytera Alexandra Houck! This week, Pres. Alexandra tells you how to get rich! Find out how your...
View ArticleThe Children’s Word: Ask for Help!
Welcome to The Children’s Word, a weekly ministry of the Orthodox Christian Network brought to you by Presvytera Alexandra Houck! This week, Pres. Alexandra tell us how important it is to ask for help....
View ArticleThe Children’s Word: Before They Were Famous…
Welcome to The Children’s Word, a weekly ministry of the Orthodox Christian Network brought to you by Presvytera Alexandra Houck! This week, Pres. Alexandra asks if you have ever wondered what the...
View ArticleHoly Trinity Cathedral, Chicago, IL
Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago was established in 1882. At the time, it was called St. Vladimir’s. At the turn of the 20th century, the current cathedral building was designed by renowned architect...
View ArticleThe Children’s Word: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry?
Welcome to The Children’s Word, a weekly ministry of the Orthodox Christian Network brought to you by Presvytera Alexandra Houck! This week, Pres. Alexandra asks what you would do if you had all the...
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Igniting the Flame of True Christian Stewardship – Part 1: We’ve Gotten...
The Real Facts And Figures Of What Is Actually Happening With Christian Churches In America Why are you here? Why have you and your Parish been given so many gifts, talents, resources and abilities? If...
View ArticleThe Children’s Word: Do You Follow Christ Too?
Welcome to The Children’s Word, a weekly ministry of the Orthodox Christian Network brought to you by Presvytera Alexandra Houck! This week, Pres. Alexandra tells the story of how the Christian church...
View ArticleOrientation
So many churches (especially in the OCA) in the Northeast are celebrating, right now, their half- or centennial anniversaries. What marvelous celebrations. I give thanks to God for every Orthodox...
View ArticleThe Children’s Word: How to Praise God
Welcome to The Children’s Word, a weekly ministry of the Orthodox Christian Network brought to you by Presvytera Alexandra Houck! This week, Pres. Alexandra asks, “Do you praise God every day?” God...
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Igniting The Flame of True Christian Stewardship – Part 3: How To Implement...
Why are you here? Why have you and your Parish been given so many gifts, talents, resources and abilities? If you want to learn what stewardship truly is and how to change the stewardship paradigm and...
View ArticleAssembly Launches National Study on Church Giving
The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America has launched a national study, “Exploring Orthodox Generosity: Giving in US Orthodox Parishes.” All Orthodox clergy and laity...
View ArticleSt Nektarios Parish Profile
Saint Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church is a young, vibrant and dynamic parish located in Southeast Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in 1998 with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios, St....
View ArticleGo and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach in US Orthodox Parishes
Is your Parish flourishing? Are you seeing spiritual growth in your community? For the first time ever the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA has released a national study on...
View ArticleGrowing the Body of Christ
Today’s show is a full one with three wonderful interviews. Listen Now. Our first interview is with author, designer and photographer Panos Fiorentinos. Listen in as Father Chris and Panos discuss his...
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