Second annual Mission School to open August 22
With the blessing of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, the second annual Mission School will be held at the Immaculate Conception Seminary here August 22-26, 2016.
“Fully funded through a bequest to the OCA earmarked for missions and evangelism, the first Mission School was held in Detroit in 2015,” said Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, OCA Secretary and Mission School facilitator. “Once again, each diocesan bishop had been asked to select one clergyman and one lay person to participate, with the expectation that they in turn will share what they have learned with their own churches and dioceses.”
In addition to Father Eric, instructors include Archpriest John Jillions, OCA Chancellor; Archpriest Chad Hatfield, CEO of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY; Archpriest Steven Voytovich, Dean of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, South Canaan, PA; Archpriest David Rucker, OCMC missionary and member of the faculty of Saint Herman’s Seminary, Kodiak, AK; Priest John Parker, Chairman of the OCA’s Department of Evangelization; three seasoned mission clergy—Archpriests Timothy Hojnicki, Daniel Kovalak, and John Reeves—and others. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon and His Eminence, Archbishop Michael also will join the participants to share their own experiences.
“Drawing upon the instructors’ experiences in the mission field, the program will impart practical knowledge on evangelism, mission and mission operation,” Father Eric added. “Topics include missiology and evangelism theory, creating and understanding a mission’s vision, community building, finances and stewardship, catechism and education, parish revitalization, worship, mission in a secular age, and related themes. Evaluation exercises and open discussions will round out the week-long program.”
Recordings of Mission School presentations will be made available in the near future.