Moments in time...

It's annual meeting time again in the Orthodox world, the time to take stock of things, go through the numbers, and plan for the year ahead.

The truth is most Orthodox would rather do a hundred prostrations on broken glass than go to the annual meeting. They can be painful, protracted affairs where every bit of dirty laundry, simmering feelings, and lunacy may surface. People who haven't given a dime or a moment to the Parish can suddenly show up with "deep concern" over something their slightly more devout cousin or uncle or somebody said was going on. To get out in under two hours is a distinct blessing from heaven.

Part of that, of course is our own fault. We Orthodox have created a church in this country that is hyper-clericalized with lauds poured upon overworked clergy and passive spectators taking it all in like folks at a football game or a show. Into that idle void the devil contructs a workshop and the annual meeting is one place where the spectators feel like they can give their opinions and fulfill their need to matter in a most perverse sort of way.

I do believe if Orthodox people were truly knowledgeable, involved, and growing in their faith 99 percent of our problems would disappear. They would understand by doing and being. They would be learning and growing instead of watching and stewing. They would feel fulfillment in their calling and not be so quick to wreak havoc on the work of others.

We Priests would benefit as well. We could be what we were called to be, a player coach of the team rather than the performer behind the screen. By our teaching and prayers we could help those we care for be the best they can be rather than spend our days smoothing over pathologies (including our own). I have seen both sides of the coin, the hyper individualism and anarchy that marks so much of the life of protestant churches and the lock step hierarchy where a few lead and hope others follow. Both miss the mark.

It's time for change and a return to balance and the revolution starts when all the people of God turn back to the sources and learn again from our Tradition what it means to be a church.