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.

IF YOU CARE ABOUT . . .

• Developing emerging leaders within the body of Christ
• Christian mentoring
• Collaborative intergenerational ministry
• Mutual learning and listening to understand generational perspectives
• Succession planning for your church and nonprofit boards or staff
• Early-life transitions such as college and vocation
• Changing the fear-based narratives around "The Church is losing its youth!" to explore hopeful possibilities
• Responding well to cultural and social changes
• Networking with other Orthodox Christian leaders

 . . . THEN THIS CONFERENCE IS FOR YOU AND THE  EMERGING AND SEASONED LEADERS AROUND YOU!

Dr. John Mark Reynolds and Hollie Benton anticipate this year's 2021 conference, Generously Investing in Emerging Leaders.  Each challenging presentation is followed by highly-interactive discussion questions, case studies, or small group work. Online participation is available, and attending in person at St. Vladimir's Seminary provides the benefit of networking and deepening relationships across the Church to support the ministry God has entrusted to your care!

Read the full episode transcript here.

Professional coaches, Dn. Sean Reid and Fr. Paul Lundberg, share how non-judgmental curiosity and powerful questions help their clients move forward with confidence and clarity.  They share how coaching in an Orthodox Christian context could serve priests and lay leaders who are facing situations where:

• Hopes do not align with reality
• Confidence is wavering 
• Responsibilities feel overwhelming
• Life feels lack-luster

Fr. Paul reminds us how submitting to the Lord's will addresses any situation. "Sacrifice and offering thou dost not desire; but thou hast given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering thou hast not required. Then I said, 'Lo, I come; in the roll of the book it is written of me; I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy law is within my heart.'" (Psalm 40:6-8) 

​Learn more about the Orthodox Coaching Network.

Read the full episode transcript here.
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Rev. Dr. John Panagiotou, author of The Path to Oikonomia with Jesus Christ as Our Lighthouse, shares a powerful framework for stewardship that arises from the Old and New Testaments as well as patristic and liturgical writings.  He discusses:

• "The love of money is the root of all evils" (1 Tim. 6:10)
• The difference between stewards and volunteers
• What we've earned versus what the Lord provides
• The connection between stewardship and the liturgical life

Fr. John's book is a resource used in Inspiring Generosity and Stewards, a module of Doulos - The Intensive Program in Servant Leadership.

Read the full episode transcript here.

Sometimes we are limited by our own blind spots to function well in the work and ministries we do. Fr. Elias Dorham reminds us of St. Paul's words, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Rom. 12:2) When a coach challenged him with a tough question before ordination, Fr. Elias realized that his own professional career path was not truly aligned to what he espoused as a baptized Christian. Now as a coach, he helps his clients move out of their comfort zones, exploring ways to lead as a servant rather than as a strict commander.

While professional coaching is not therapy, pastoral guidance, nor counselling, Fr. Elias suggests coaching can help those who want to:

• Move beyond feeling stuck
• Articulate a clear vision
• Navigate and resolve conflict
• Balance work, ministry, and family responsibilities

Receive a FREE coaching consultation through the Orthodox Coaching Network

Read the full episode transcript here.

Just as Christ asked Peter, "Who do you say that I am?" a trained coach asks powerful questions to help parish leaders clarify their values, priorities, and next steps.

Fr. Barnabas recalls a sermon to "know thyself" and acknowledges that fear or arrogance protects one from being discovered. "Coaching helped me get behind the curtain and to better know myself . . . to know my strengths and weaknesses and to avoid stumbling over stuff that catches me by surprise, even in my own heart."

Dean Harbry, PCC, and Fr. Barnabas Powell discuss the benefits of coaching for any Christian leader. Learn more and take advantage of this service through the Orthodox Coaching Network!​

Read the full episode transcript here.

Thomaida Hudanish, Director of Missions and Evangelism for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, explores keychain leadership - a concept developed in Growing Young by Kara Powell, et al. 

• Key-less leaders may be young or inexperienced who strive to prove their worth in possessing keys in order to gain authority or access.
• Key-hoarding leaders run the show and refuse to give others access and share responsibility.
• Key-loaning leaders reluctantly or temporarily loan keys to others and then quickly take them back.
• Keychain leaders are aware of the keys they hold and intentionally open doors for some while training and entrusting others who are ready for their own "set of keys." 

Thomaida suggests that keychain leadership works not only in developing youth, but in engaging new church members through missions and evangelism. 

Read the full episode transcript.

Does your parish council regularly ask, "How do we get more people to come and get involved?" 

Anna Caraveli suggests turning the question outside-in and ask instead, "How can we understand and connect to what matters most to people? How can we attend to the struggles of our people and serve them?" 

Learn more about Anna's research in organizational health and how it applies to churches with respect to: 

• Leading from the outside in
• How processes should link to vision
• Replacing tactical thinking with strategic thinking
• How empathy opens possibilities
• Transforming self-centric to others-centric

Check out The Demand Perspective: Leading from the Outside In by Anna Caraveli, PhD

Read the full episode transcript.