by Fr. Michael Butler On 15 November, the first day of the Nativity Fast, I concelebrated a service of Holy Unction. Every year several of the clergy in Cleveland get together for this service, which is particularly loved by Romanians, so we usually serve it at one of the local Romanian … [Read more...]
Signs in a Congregation That a Leader Has Covert Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Having experienced leaders like this in parishes like this, and grown them anyway, I believe this describes too many Orthodox parishes in North America today. Read and learn. Let the pastor beware. Taking steps to solve these pernicious and destructive issues has gotten me bounced from more than one … [Read more...]
How Many Hours Must a Pastor Work to Satisfy the Congregation?
by Thom Rainer This excellent article reminds us of the unreasonable expectations most people have of their clergy. Yes, it is universal, so don't be put off by the protestant setting. If you pursue the priesthood, you'll be in a parish most likely, and you will be dealing with these kind of … [Read more...]
Jesus, Jail and Jury Duty
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon I have never served on a jury. Nor, if I trust memory, have I ever published very widely the reasons for this. The immediate reason is that I have invariably found some way to be excused from that duty without making a big deal of it. When, for instance, I … [Read more...]
Seven Things Pastors Would Like Church Members to Know about Their Children
I love my sons who are now all adults, and in at least one parish I paid a price for putting them first. That being said, I never missed a single meeting for Church business. Remember, sometimes everything isn't enough for some people. As an Orthodox priest, you will have to be there for your own … [Read more...]
Twelve Ways Pastors Went from Burnout to Vision
by Thom S. Rainer It can be done. You can go from pastorally fried to evangelistically fired up. There are few vocations that can engender burnout like the pastorate. The demands on a pastor’s time, emotions, and energy can be overwhelming. When I was a pastor, I often felt at least the symptoms … [Read more...]
The Relationship Of The Pastor And His Flock
by Bishop Benjamin (Milov) of Saratov and Balashov Is there such a thing as an attachment to a pastor? Is it admissible, does it not get in our way on the path to salvation? An event from the life of St John Chrysostom provides an answer to these questions. As is well-known, the saintly bishop used … [Read more...]
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