Who doesn't love a good deal? But is anything of value truly free? The Apostle Paul reminds us of the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." St. Paul continues to teach in the first letter to the Corinthians in the same way, "the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel." While the Lord provides the gospel free of charge, it comes with a charge. Roll up your sleeves, there's work to be done treading out the grain.

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Failing to attend to the Lord's instruction to "Do nothing from selfishness or conceit," becomes even more pronounced when we attend to the business of persuading others:

• "You should hire me because . . ."
• "You should promote me because . . ."
• "You should buy my product or service because . . ."

"What Scripture is telling you is that you're exploiting your neighbor, and you're under judgment. So proceed with caution, because the Lord is coming. If we can just learn to be honest with ourselves about what we're doing, then there's hope that we will cause less harm to each other in our business dealings. We have to be held to the Lord's standard that we are to be perfect as His Father is perfect. And then we have to be fully aware that we're not, so that we don't think too highly of ourselves." - Fr. Marc Boulos

Read the full episode transcript here. 

If you have been asked to serve on a parish council or if you feel unprepared to make a meaningful contribution to any non-profit board, this episode is for you. An interview with Fr. Ian Pac-Urar, director of Continuing Education for the OCA, explores some of the topics addressed in Boot Camp for Parish Councils and Non-Profit Boards.

Service is the emphasis of servant leadership within the Lord's household as we serve His instruction in the context of parish councils. Service shapes recruitment, training, and succession planning. Service frames strategy,  governance, fiduciary responsibilities, and support of the parish priest or non-profit director. And service to Christ, however He is presented to you as "the least of these" matters on the last day. 

Read the full episode transcript here.

In this week's episode, Bethany Geleris, a candidate for the Doctorate in Nursing Practice from UCSF, shares how her research and work in mentoring for advanced practice providers contributed to MNTR (Mentoring and Nurturing Transformative Relationships) for Christian communities. Bethany provides insights into how mentoring within a Christian community fosters a sense of belonging and purpose. Through intentional development, MNTR challenges people to move beyond their comfort zones, growing in and through the body of Christ, and can help bring us back to our calling to love our neighbor by being more present in the lives of others.

The program, designed for parishes, schools, and any Christian community, will strengthen the clarity of purpose and vision not only for that community, but for each member within the body of Christ.  Mentoring and Nurturing Transformative Relationships (MNTR) creates opportunities for people to realize their unique place in the body of Christ, integrated through collaborative multi-generational ministry. 

Read the full episode transcript here.​​

Fr. Kosmas Kallis, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, suggests that the "Come and See" model of Orthodox ministry lacks the call to action to move outside the walls of the Church. Listen to how ministry is reshaped by engaging youth and young adults in the work of the Gospel both in and outside the walls of the Church - receiving through the act of giving!

Fr. Kosmas Kallis will be expanding on Engaging Emerging Leaders at this year's 5th Annual National Orthodox Leadership Conference at St. Vladimir's Seminary, September 17-19, 2021.  

​Read the full episode transcript here.

"It is time for the Lord to act," is the psalm verse invoked at the start of every liturgy. It's a beautiful yet ominous way for the liturgy to begin because the entire verse account is, "It is time for the Lord to act, because your law has been broken." (Ps. 119:126) Fr. Marc reminds us that we don't gather around God and call for His action. God is the one who gathers his scripture around us and surrounds us with his instruction.  It is the same Word that creates, gathers, feeds, and leads the liturgical community with the Lord's life-giving commandments.

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Have you ever endured a pointless or even painfully contentious meeting? Dn. Michael Hyatt, author of No Fail Meetings shares how you can make your meetings more engaging and productive by:

• First asking whether a meeting is even needed
• Preparing and time-boxing your agenda
• Following up with task owners recorded in minutes
• Creating a safe environment for dissent
• Ensuring alignment over agreement

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What does money have to do with salvation? 
Isn't the whole-burnt offering an archaic, wasteful practice? 
Can tithing be understood as a Church tax?
Isn't almsgiving simply giving a few spare coins to one in need? 
Shouldn't parish fundraising use a ministry-centric approach?

An interview with Dr. Andrew Geleris, author of the forthcoming book Money and Salvation: An Invitation to the Good Way, challenges many of these notions after his study of Scripture challenged him. 

After listening to the podcast, consider these questions:

1. What is the difference between a "ministry-centric" and  "soul-centric" financial discussion? How did Jesus teach? Why does the difference matter? What implications does this have for how we do fundraising?
2. Why is the topic of almsgiving so important in Orthodox worship and practice? 
3. How does thinking about offerings as participating in a divine mystery affect how we think about giving to the church and the needy poor?  
4. What is the biblical teaching in terms of expressing gratitude and recognizing the tithe as holy?
5. If you do not now tithe or give as generously as you would like to give, how does it feel to humbly confess your weakness to God?

​Continue the conversation by joining the Summer Stewardship Series, August 2021.

​Read the full episode transcript here

As servants in the household of God, we are called to "always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence." (1 Peter 3:15) Fr. Timothy Hojnicki, instructor of apologetics at the St. Raphael School, shares how he equips his high school students with the deposit of faith so that they can make a good defense when asked.  Rather than merely winning an argument, he stresses the importance of dialogue and respect to win over a brother.

Fr. Timothy Hojnicki will be speaking on Early Life Transitions: Supporting and Navigating Change from High School to College at the 5th Annual National Orthodox Leadership Conference at St. Vladimir's Seminary, September 17-19, 2021.  

​Read the full episode transcript here

Although women are not ordained in the Orthodox Church, many of them are hearkening to God's call to serve - as chaplains, scholars, diplomats, mothers, teachers, leaders of parish boards and ministries, and in many other roles. Dr. Patricia Fann Bouteneff, founder of Axia Women, shares in this episode what they are learning about parish support of women across the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox traditions. Recalling the Myrrh Bearing Women, they strive to care for the body of Christ and receive and proclaim the Good News of Christ's Resurrection.  Learn more about Axia Women at https://www.axiawomen.org/

Read the full episode transcript here.