Doulos

The Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) Summer Leadership Institute trains nearly fifty college students each year to serve their local campuses through OCF.  Applicants to this program demonstrate a heart for service, desiring to "give back" to the OCF ministry that has had such a positive impact on them.  Students explore what it means to be an Orthodox Christian as a leader in OCF, the Church, and the world. They are challenged through Christ's teaching to avoid ego-driven leadership, and instead take on the mindset of servant leadership, including a practice of generosity through the resources of their first jobs. As students explore the diverse Orthodox practices and cultures, they grow more united as the body of Christ and together take on some of the most pressing social issues we face in America.

As college graduates launch their careers, their first employers readily harness the value of those who received leadership training and served on the OCF Student Leadership Board. But are our parishes so quick to harness this energy?   Christina offers some suggestions to both parish leaders and young emerging leaders to create opportunities for those capable college graduates who desire to serve the Church.
 
Christina Andresen, Director of Ministries for the Orthodox Christian Fellowship, shares how student leaders are trained to serve OCF ministries on their college campuses.  

Fr. Luke Veronis shares the story of how his parish trusted in the Lord's provision. Rather than clinging to the last few resources dwindling from their bank account, they accepted the challenge to "Be the Church" by sharing the resources God had provided to global, national, and local missions and ministries.  A few years later, as the Church approached its centennial celebration, they invested the Lord's provision by distributing $30,000 cash among their parishioners and sent them to the highways and byways to give to those in need.  

Fr. Luke bases his ministry on the Lord's word to Abram found in Genesis 12:2, "I will bless you, so that you will be a blessing." 

The Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom rallies excitement among Orthodox Christians every Easter. While it is tempting to be swept up in the grandeur of a winning team after fighting the good fight with long hours of fasting and prayer, it is Christ's victory, not our own, that we celebrate. St. John uses the parable of the workers found in Matthew's Gospel to remind us that the "Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first." We are called to "rejoice together – rich and poor, sober and slothful" – a poignant reminder for those who quibble over divisions among us today. 

The 2021 Holy Saturday episode of Doulos explores the imagery and poetry of St. John Chrysostom's Paschal Homily through an interview with Andrea Bakas, founder of the Los Angeles Bible Lecture Series. She takes a deeper look at the scriptural content woven into this powerful and enduring sermon. Andrea also explores the rich meaning of the Greek word, epikranthi, used as the basis for her new podcast which releases Pascha Sunday, 2021, VEXED!

In our jobs, families, neighborhoods, and church communities, we expect people to exercise an appropriate level of authority to carry out their particular responsibilities. As Christians, the authority that we exercise over people or things in our care require us to serve as one under the authority of God's instruction.

Fr. Sergius looks to Christ, the Theotokos, and the faithful Centurion as shining examples of those who humbly submit to the Lord's instruction and exercise the power of that instruction to carry out their responsibilities for those in their care.

Fr. Sergius Halvorsen, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at St. Vladimir’s Seminary and contributor to Doulos – The Intensive Program in Servant Leadership, shares the final episode of a four-part series to explore serving with Christlike authority and humility.

We may aspire to be humble, but unless we are submitting to the Lord's instruction that would have us imitate Christ who "emptied himself, taking the form of a servant . . . and humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross" (Phil 2:8-9) we risk an idolatrous image of humility fashioned by our own hands.

Fr. Sergius encourages Christians to imitate Christ's humility by 

1. Submitting to the authority of God's instruction.
2. Allowing God's word to correct us.
3. Giving thanks to God when corrected.

Fr. Sergius Halvorsen, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at St. Vladimir’s Seminary and contributor to Doulos – The Intensive Program in Servant Leadership, shares Part Three of a four-part series to explore serving with Christlike authority and humility.

Are you suspicious of those who cloak their excuses in false humility? 

• I'm so busy and I just don't have time to help.
• Thanks for asking, but who am I to take on such a responsibility?
• I'll just keep quiet and avoid any conflict.
• I'm so broken, how could God use me?

False humility seeks excuse from duty and personal accountability, appearing humble for personal gain. Rather than pointing out the false humility in others, how do we recognize excuses and false piety in our own behavior and repent from it? 

Fr. Sergius Halvorsen, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at St. Vladimir’s Seminary and contributor to Doulos – The Intensive Program in Servant Leadership, shares Part Two of a four-part series that explores serving with Christlike authority and humility.

Do you feel threatened by ego-driven leaders who insist on calling the shots?

·    I’m in charge. It’s my decision. I don’t have to listen to you.

·    It has to get done, so I’ll do it my way.

·    I’ve been here longer than you, so I know better.

·    My family built the church, so I’m entitled.

False authority usurps the power of the scriptural commandment to assume the place of God. Rather than pointing out the false authority in others and resisting their commands, how do we recognize the insidious self-righteousness in our own behavior and repent from it?

Fr. Sergius Halvorsen, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at St. Vladimir’s Seminary and contributor to Doulos – The Intensive Program in Servant Leadership, begins a four-part series to explore serving with Christlike authority and humility.

The Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians, "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Cor 1:18)

Fr. Chris Salamy, author of The Way of the Warrior Saint: How to Live a Crucifixional Life, looks to Christ as the model for conquering the fear and sin in our lives that would otherwise master us. The power of the cross is manifested when sacrifice is made in service and love to others. Crucifixional living cultivates vision and change in our own lives, and in the way we work and serve others. 

Fr. Chris pastors St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Phoenix, AZ, which offers many resources at WarriorSaints.org.   

Salemi Khori shares how the members of St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church are Building Effective Parish Leadership Teams, a module of the Intensive Program in Servant Leadership. Outcomes have included:

• A broader commitment to biblical literacy and accountability
• Plans for recruitment, succession, and ongoing leadership development for ministry roles
• Strengthening consensus in parish decisions

Salemi shares how her own attitude toward the Church shifted from transactional to relational as she served as the Parish Council President while still in her twenties. 

Fr. Robert Holet, DMin, author of The First and Finest: Orthodox Christian Stewardship as Sacred Offering, outlines the stewardship cycle: 

1. Acknowledge God as the source of everything
2. Receive God's gifts
3. Offer the first fruits
4. Care for all God entrusts
5. God accepts our offering and pours forth greater abundance
6. Mature in human capacity to steward God's gifts
7. Make an account upon the Master's return
8. Eternal reward of "good and faithful servant"

Fr. Robert also explores the five T's of stewardship, consecrating beyond the first fruits of Time, Talent, and Treasure. As we allow the Lord to examine our hearts and minds this Lent, Fr. Robert offers A Self-Examination and Reflection Guide to prepare for confession and participate in faithful stewardship.