The Mission of Orthodoxy
Adapted from “The Mission of Orthodoxy”, by Father Alexander Schmemann
What is the role and task of Orthodox Christians in North America?
The first Orthodox immigrants to America never thought about all this, for in many ways they continued to live within an organic Orthodox "culture." They were still living within that type of unity because they belonged to what in American sociology is known as a "sub-culture." After the liturgy, the faithful would meet in the hall not only as Orthodox Christians but as Malayalees. The same was seen in the Greek, Russian, Coptic, and other Churches in North America - fellowship was very important as it allowed immigrants to breathe their native culture.
Even today, in many parishes on a given Sunday it is almost as if you are not living in North America. You can live there without knowing very much English, without any real contact with the outside culture. But this chapter of our Church history may very well be coming to an end, as our immigrant community further integrates with the present society and culture we have immersed ourselves in.
The youth of our Church are also growing without the “immigrant” mentality. Orthodoxy for them is not primarily the remembrance of childhood abroad. They will not keep Orthodoxy simply because it is "the faith of their fathers." Suppose we apply this principle to others: Then the Lutherans should keep the Lutheran faith, the Jews the Jewish faith, and finally, the son of an atheist should keep atheism because it was the "faith of his father." If this is the criterion, religion becomes a mere cultural continuity.
But our claim is that our Church is Orthodox, or more simply, the Church, and this is a frightening claim. It implies that it is the faith for all men, for all countries, for all cultures. And unless this implication is kept in mind and heart, our claim to be the true Orthodox Church becomes hypocrisy, and it would be more honest to call ourselves a society for the perpetuation of the cultural values of a particular geographic region.
The Mission of Orthodoxy
The first condition for mission is a spiritual foundation; we simply cannot move anywhere without faith and a personal commitment to Christian life. Further, it seems that we must think of our mission in terms of the particular situation we face in North America, in this thoroughly secularized society.
But, what is a mission? Mission is one of those words much used and much abused today. In a sense every Christian is called to be a missionary. Every Christian is sent. When we say "One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church," the term "apostolic" means not only the continuity of ministry, as so many people seem to think, but also the apostolicity, i.e., the missionary nature of the Church and of each of her members.
“My being a missionary” can be understood in a threefold way -
In the first place, “I am sent to myself”. This means that the new Adam in me is always ready to challenge and to fight the old Adam--the "I" who is still very much "of this world" and subdued to it.
In the second place, “I am sent to others”. This again is universal, and is not limited to bishops, priests, and missionaries in the strict sense of the word.
And finally, “I am sent as a missionary to the world”. The scope of our vision and faith is always the salvation of all that for which Christ died, and He died "for the life of the world." Thus, one cannot be saved without giving oneself to this mission. Everyone is a missionary.
Yet, as we begin seeking for concrete applications of these general definitions, the idea of mission becomes confused. It is indeed the eternal problem for each Christian individually and for every Christian generation to find their modality of mission--the way God wants them to fulfill their missionary calling. Just as each man is unique, the way of his fulfillment of his vocation is also unique. And just as each historical situation is unique, the Christian mission of each generation is also in a way unique. This is why there are so many disagreements and controversies among Orthodox today. Everyone admits that something needs to be done, but there is no consensus yet on what exactly is to be done and how. The disagreements concern, indeed, the nature of the Orthodox mission today. The Great Commission Christ has commanded us to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20).
There are over 4 billion people who do not know the hope, love, and joy of a life in Christ, and it is important to reach out to them where they are. The MGOCSM of North America has been serving on mission trips in America and abroad very consistently, and it is a blessing for all those who participate as well as those who are touched by the love and joy of our youth. If your calling is to serve on a mission trip, this is something that you have access. However, mission work can be right where you live, where you work, or even at home. Too often we think of mission work as someplace far, but very often the most we can witness to others about Christ is right where we are. Orthodox Evangelism It is very important to remember as we do mission work that our job is not to bring anyone into the Church. We do not convince people of the Truth, we don't count the number of souls we save. God is the One Who attracts people, Who brings them in the door, Who convicts their hearts, Who brings them to repentance, Who convinces them of the Truth; we do none of this.
Too often in the North American model of evangelism, the individual person is made responsible for doing God's task, but in attempting to do God's work, we neglect our own.
What is our task? Our task is the acquisition of the Holy Spirit (St Seraphim), our task is the working out of our salvation, our task is to repent and weep for our sins, our task is to enter the Kingdom of God. This more than anything else is what we must do. This is an evangelistic task - indeed the primary evangelistic task.
There are other "tasks", however, which derive from this one which are a bit more specific to "evangelism". It is God who brings people to the door of the Church and who convinces them that they should enter - however, we must keep the door to the Church open and visible. Hence, Orthodox evangelism must center on the Church - the beauty of the building, the beauty of the services, the frequency and availability of the services. Orthodox evangelism is served by beautiful icons, gold onion domes and crosses rising against the sky, the smell of incense, the pious and holy singing of the services.
Orthodox evangelism is served by our visibility as Orthodox Christians in the world - the clothing of the clergy (and in these days the modest and humble clothing of the laymen as well) - the sign of the cross as we pray at each juncture of our lives - beginning and ending a task, eating and finishing a meal, starting and ending a trip, etc. Orthodox evangelism is the keeping of icons in our homes, in our offices, in our cars. Orthodox evangelism is keeping the fast without excuses or compromises. Orthodox evangelism is setting our priorities to forgo the allures of the world in order to be at divine services whenever they are held. Orthodox evangelism is denying ourselves and bearing our cross. Orthodox evangelism is keeping the door of the Church open and visible. While the Holy Spirit is the one who draws the world to Himself, it is you and I who keep the doors of the Church open and who welcome all who come.
The second specific task that we as Orthodox Christians have in evangelism is the practical expression of God's love to mankind. Orthodox evangelism is greeting visitors as they come to the Church and then modeling (neither instructing nor condemning the visitor) for them proper behavior and demeanor in the Church. Orthodox evangelism is hospitality offered to share meals, to provide shelter and clothing as needed. Orthodox evangelism is to pray for our neighbor and to love our neighbor as ourself. Orthodox evangelism is going to the soup kitchen and serving. Orthodox evangelism is giving to the poor without regard for "how the money will be used".
Orthodox evangelism is visiting the sick in hospitals and praying for them. Orthodox evangelism is going on mission trips to places you haven’t been, and just serving and loving the people there as you would at home. Orthodox evangelism is going to the prisons (contact your local prison chaplain regarding how this might be done) and offering comfort and kindness to the imprisoned. Orthodox evangelism is loving your enemies (Elder Silouan of Mt Athos says that this is the true mark of a Christian - the love of one's enemies).
Orthodox Evangelism is loving your neighbor as yourself. If we all did these things (and I am a wretched sinner and fall short of all that I have just said) then our Churches would be open and filled with light and glory drawing all who see her by the grace and action of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. We don't have to preach on street corners, we don't have to have "events" or revivals or seminars as evangelistic tools - we simply have to be Orthodox Christians "to the max" without reservation or compromise.
That is Orthodox mission.
