Parish Development Forum

Friday June 17 Online

What, Why and How of Ministry

Ministry seems like a simple term.

But ask someone in your parish “what is ministry” and you’ll get a variety of answers.

At the Parish Development Forum on Friday June 17 we’ll unpack the important idea of parish ministry. The Why? What? And How?

• Why should we see ministry as a Christian duty not an option?
• What are the mix of ministries that can enliven our parishes?
• How can we strengthen ministry, remove obstacles to ministry and raise up good ministry leaders?

The Parish Development Forum is a conference for clergy and laity to share ideas and intentional efforts of healthy Orthodox parishes.

Join us online Friday June 17. Bring a group from your parish. You must register to attend.

Register Now

View Agenda

Sarah Byrne Martelli

A Ministry of Presence - Video Intro

One of the important sessions at this year’s Forum will be offered by Sarah Byrne Martelli, an Orthodox Lay chaplain and bereavement counselor, as she speaks about “Being a Ministry of Presence”.

Hear Sarah in her own words as she describes her session. Ms Martelli Intro Video

Please join us.

Increasing Our Capacity for Ministry

"Our Most Significant Opportunity"

Returning parishioners and newcomers yearning for expanded, updated and renewed ministries may be one the most significant opportunities for the Orthodox Church in recent years.

We all know 'Ministry' is not just "the priest's job" and its more than singing in the choir, and serving on parish council.

However, can we learn to also see ministry as not a suggestion or even a recommendation, but rather a duty? A commandment?

That is our goal for the Forum -- to heighten awareness of and interest in ministry as a critical, not optional, element of parish life and mission.

Join us!

Useful content from many past Forum topics can be found here.

Register Now.  You must register to attend.

Download Forum Flyer

Measuring Churches

"The mark of a great church is not how many people come but how many people live differently as a result of coming."  Unknown

Practical Assistance

The tone of the Parish Development Forum is always to provide practical information for use in renewing parish life.

We'll make ample use of brief videos about the "What is Ministry" in this year's Forum. See a brief 60 second example. 

Effective Greeting -NOT!

Mention of videos reminded us of a past Forum effort using videos.

Filmed with assistance of the talented parishioners at Holy Ghost Church in Ambridge PA this more extensive video emphasizes the importance of hospitality and the role we all play as "active welcomers". It shines a light on key situations where churches often "drop the ball" when welcoming guests to church services and coffee hour.

Open Letter to Clergy and Laity

Flashback from Forum #1 2014

Misalignment between Clergy and Laity?

Speaking of useful info from past Forums, at the 2014 Forum attendees were divided into separate groups of clergy and laity. Laity were asked to respectfully offer suggestions and insights to clergy about 'things' they should "stop", "start" and "continue". Clergy undertook a mirror image of the same assignment.

After about 60 minutes the groups reconvened and, with some trepidation, shared their suggestions with the other "side".

The laity group created a reasonable set of thoughts for clergy consideration -- but in actuality it seemed to be a rehash of common issues. Laity letter

The clergy group, on the other hand, created what all agreed was a thoughtful, helpful insightful letter. Clergy letter

This still makes useful reading.

Thank you for your time.

Let us know your feedback.

[email protected]. 513.518.5878