The Church in the Now

[sculleywr]

Most of the explanations and beliefs I have encountered thus far in my very short inquiry have made sense for the most part, though there are still some that I am delving deeper into. However, something that has not popped up in my reading or research is the question of the Church now.

This takes a bit of explaining, so bear with me. The biggest problem I have seen, even in Baptist circles, is that people are far too willing to sit back and say, "I can live off of the victories God gave me in the past." This has nothing to do with salvation in any way. I'm not talking about the "fire insurance" christianity of televangelists. I mean a church sitting back and paying too much attention to the trials and hard-fought victories of the past.

So I guess my question is, what is the effect of Orthodoxy in today's world. Just an honest question. I honestly believe nobody would join or believe in a stagnant church.

So please, link me up

 

[choirfiend]

the effect of Orthodoxy in the world is the salvation and transformation of the fallen world into the Kingdom of Heaven. It will never end.

 

[ArmyMatt]

the effect of Orthodoxy in the world is the salvation and transformation of the fallen world into the Kingdom of Heaven. It will never end.

yep, we go from glory to glory

 

[sculleywr]

yep, we go from glory to glory

While I agree with the concept and the ideas, this is an assertion. It is part of the church's purpose, according to the scriptures and the small part of the Orthodox Tradition I have seen. However, it is a statement and command to the church. How is the church fulfilling this? I am an evidence-centric person. I need examples, something concrete I can get my hands on. What are the actions of the Church now? The current trials and victories that the church, both as individual parishes, and as a divine, human organism (Father Andrew; Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy episode 1; used because I love the imagery he uses), has experienced in the current world.

 

[icxn]

Elder Paisios, Elder Porphyrios, Elder Cleopa, Elder Tadej, St. John of San Fransisco...

 

[Annoula]

Elder Paisios, Elder Porphyrios, Elder Cleopa, Elder Tadej, St. John of San Fransisco...

i would say that the Church in the now, is the transformation of ourselves that happens in the mystical place of our soul. this transformation is secret and we are not able to see it easily when it happens to us or to our brothers and sisters.
but some examples that the Grace of our Lord allowed to be made known to us are the ones icxn mentioned and many others of course.

 

[choirfiend]

What are the actions of the Church now? \

In the heart of every believer, and through each believer to the rest of the world. We offer ourselves and creation in sacrifice back to God, who sanctifies and hallows it. We each make our mark upon those around us and the world changes because of it. We pray for everything and everyone and God transforms.

What is more specific than that? It is action in every Divine Liturgy as well as every moment of our lives.

 

[ArmyMatt]

How is the church fulfilling this? I am an evidence-centric person. I need examples, something concrete I can get my hands on. What are the actions of the Church now?

oooohhhhh, I gotcha I think. I would say the best bet would be to look at the saint's lives. see the men and women who really struggle to love as Christ loved. St Dmitri Klepenin (spelling?) and St Mary of Paris are two awesome modern examples.

 

[sculleywr]

oooohhhhh, I gotcha I think. I would say the best bet would be to look at the saint's lives. see the men and women who really struggle to love as Christ loved. St Dmitri Klepenin (spelling?) and St Mary of Paris are two awesome modern examples.

this is the closest I have found to my question being answered.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Elder Paisios, Elder Porphyrios, Elder Cleopa, Elder Tadej, St. John of San Fransisco...

well, ixcn gave these awesome examples as well, and choirfiend's answer was more theological and general, rather than specific individuals.

 

[choirfiend]

this is the closest I have found to my question being answered.

I know you are looking for examples, but can you try to further explain what exactly you're looking for and/or give some examples of what you are looking for, even from a denomination and not Orthodoxy, so we have something to compare? Your wording is fairly foreign to how we might communicate a response, so something concrete would help.

 

[sculleywr]

I know you are looking for examples, but can you try to further explain what exactly you're looking for and/or give some examples of what you are looking for, even from a denomination and not Orthodoxy, so we have something to compare? Your wording is fairly foreign to how we might communicate a response, so something concrete would help.

Like outreaches that parishes are doing to fulfill the duty of the church to the community around them. Large decisions that have shown a positive impact in the world around us. I'm not looking for numbers, because numbers are not what God wants. I'm looking for a church that works in the community to change the world around it.

 

[choirfiend]

Like outreaches that parishes are doing to fulfill the duty of the church to the community around them. Large decisions that have shown a positive impact in the world around us. I'm not looking for numbers, because numbers are not what God wants. I'm looking for a church that works in the community to change the world around it.

Are you also looking for a church that teaches Truth and teaches the correct Christ? That is the most important thing, and the rest will fall into place around that. Looking for secondary things first and missing the Truth won't benefit you.

Parishes just about all have outreaches, from monetary donations, food drives, mission support, and helping the poor, to international programs like IOCC. That's the "giving alms" part of what was mentioned much earlier.