www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization a target market for growth ?

Hi all ! I was wondering: I think that spiritual seekers, who don't have any religion right now, are an ideal target "market" for us to focus on for evangelization.

So often, our efforts at evangelization are intended for people who are already Byzantine Catholics. While clearly that is good, it is also limited by a simple fact: Byzantine Catholics can choose whether they want to practice Byzantine Christianity. Some do, some would if there was some out-reach directed to them, but many won't . . . for various reasons. Well, I think the door needs to be left open to them, and encouragement must be given to them to come inside (again), but otherwise we cannot force them to make the choice to practice their faith. As the saying goes, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."

On the other hand, there are LOTS of thirsty souls who are just looking for a place to drink the waters of truth. These are the people who have no religion but who are spiritually seeking. Some of them were raised in some kind of religion but (for various reasons) are not practicing that religion. Others --a truly surprising number-- were never raised with any kind of religion. Some of the latter are seeking spiritual fulfillment but they don't know where to go or what is available. Many of them have been infected with the error of being "spiritual but not religious" -- failing to see (and sometimes refusing to see) that religion is what happens when spirituality is practiced by more than one person, spiritual people who are trying to live with each other.

There is a dearth of real spirituality, mysticism and religion among these people. There is a lack, a craving and a need for the Truth that God is with us, always. Consider the vast number of people who buy books and who otherwise explore New Age, East Asian religions, TV preachers, self-help books with a spiritual side, and so on. These people number in the millions, and they are looking for a way to God in their lives, in all ways of their lives.

We --the Byzantine Catholic Church-- have a real, viable, complete and living answer to provide to them. Maybe we should focus some (or some more) of our evangelization efforts to reach out and serve those people.

Perhaps our shrinking numbers will not be met purely or even mostly by gathering in the fallen-away Byzantine Christians. Perhaps, instead, our numbers will be replenished by converts and then their children: people who truly *want* Byzantine Catholicism.

Comments?

-- John

What are you doing to reach these people?

I'm curious because I converted from a non religious background.

Andrew

John,

You are on target here. Pyrohy sales are nice but there must be a connection from that to faith and spirituality. Bingo makes us too often the laughing stock of the unconverted...many of the converted as well and has nothing to do with evangelization.

Let's encourage each other to try some of the following:

1. Door to door visitation and invitation.

2. Teach people how to share their faith in any situation. Open our mouths and let the God who is with us show Himself through our words.

3. Each member invite their neighbors and friends to liturgy. Before hand explain the basics and why Eastern spirituality actually helps you live in this American setting or in whatever setting one resides.

4. Do community surveys.

5. Have a booth at the fairs, Chamber of commerce events, etc.

6. Invite neighbors over for a study of some good book about Eastern Christianity.

CDL

Andrew,

Right now, I'm just thinking out loud and trying to get feedback. But, I will send you a PM with more thoughts.


Dan,

Thank you. I think your ideas are good. But, in addition, I also think efforts need to be made online and in print: information resources that would both educate seekers and then point them to a local parish or monastery.

-- John

John,

Like this? www.byzantinecatholic.com [byzantinecatholic.com] and our radio program, "Light of the East" heard on a growing number of radio stations across the country?

CDL

Dan,

No. I don�t mean that kind of website. Don�t get me wrong: it's a good site; so too is the site from that Ukrainian Catholic parish near Toronto that everyone talks about. But they are parish websites. What I'm thinking about is a site on Byzantine Catholicism --on Jesus and His Gospel, who He is and why He matters-- which, in turn could then send people to websites like this and the one you listed.

Every business organization that markets on the web uses websites for two purposes: giving information and then direction to points of sale. In other words, there is a central website which gives information on the products and services that are offered, and people can (and do) use that for research. Then, if they are interested, they can also use that website to find a place where they can buy that product or service.

What I am thinking of is a website that provides the basic stuff of Byzantine Christianity as its main goal. An evangelical website. And, it could then direct interested persons to parishes and monasteries (and their websites) for making contact with the community.

What I have noticed among online seekers (and in myself, because I was one too) is a three step process:

Stage 1: a general quest for information about God / Truth/ spirituality. They are looking for basic data. That is served by informational websites and books.


Stage 2: wanting to communicate without pressure. . After a seeker finds information about a religion, and after the become interested in it, they want to talk with others about it. They usually want to talk on two levels: getting more information and fellowship / guidance. BUT, they are usually afraid / nervous/ shy / etc. about talking to someone in person. That's for a variety of reasons: not wanting to be preached at, what would the family / neighbors say, doubts about what is going on, etc. Basically, they are confused and scared but enticed that they may have found the Something that they have been looking for, and they want to protect it and let it grow (like a seedling). So, they want communication but without intimidation. And, they also sometimes want to get a sense of what a religion is like in its personality, controversies, points they all agree on and so forth. Websites like this forum are ideal for this stage.

Stage 3: making contact in person. At a certain point, the seeker must make a decision to take this religious search to a new level: actually meeting with people of this religion. That can be scary and intimidating. But, it is the only way to test if this religion is right for them and if it is where God is leading them. So, they attend a service or a social or maybe meet with a pastor, etc. Then, depending on how things go, the three stages are repeated till a seeker finds his or her spiritual home or they quit.

That is what I have observed in others and what I have experienced in myself.

Given all that, the Byzantine Catholic Church has a Stage 2 (communication) website: this forum. It also has several Stage 3 (contact) websites: parish websites and others. But, it seems to be lacking a Stage 1 resource: a website offering basic information on Christ, the Gospel and the Church that is geared specifically to the seeker.

I have seen a couple, here and there, that come close. But they are more general informational websites than websites geared specifically to seekers. There is a difference. The former is just data for anyone who is interested. The latter is for someone who feels a hole in their heart that only God can fill, and they are driven, striving and trying to find a way to God.

I think that someone needs to write a website about Byzantine Catholicism that is specifically geared for the seeker. Something that is specifically marketed online to seekers. Something that also directs people to this forum for communication and to parish websites for contact. But most of all: something that provides basic information about Byzantine Catholicism as a way to finding God.

But, I�m speculating. Any comments, on the idea in general on in the application of it?

-- John

This site, byzcath.org, functions in part that way. How would you massage this site to fulfill what you are looking for?

CDL

Interesting timing!

I�ve been working on a major redesign of byzcath.org. The site gets about 5,000 unique visitors each day so it is very well positioned for evangelization. I was talking with a friend on Monday about a new menu list for the home page. We had agreed that the first item on the menu should be �About Jesus Christ� and have some preliminary text for that section. The �Faith & Worship� section will be very much enhanced to provide a basic catechism about the Trinity, the Church and Divine Worship. In listing of local Churches all Byzantine Catholics (Ruthenian, Ukrainian, Melkite, Romanian, Russian, and etc. will be treated equally).

I have a number of projects in work at the moment (especially reprints of Vespers and Matins books) so the website redesign will probably take a few more months.

Ideas and suggestions for the redesign (and even proposed text) are welcome!

Admin

I think what the Administrator is proposing makes a LOT of sense.

-- John

It seems to me that an information-seeker who is looking for a basic overview of our church could easily be put off by a too-early exposure to this forum. It would be as if you approached the pastor for information and you were intercepted by a mob of cacaphonous voices, half of whom contradicted the pastor. An official website for the Metropolia might be a better choice for basic information.

great job and may God bless you in your job. it's waaaaaaaaaaaay overdue. maybe we can end the ethnic bickering and chauvinism once and for all. it has been a dream of mine for some time, and we need it if we as Eastern Catholics are to not only thrive, but grow and let the world know that we have something to offer.
Much Love,
Jonn
a Russian Catholic
oh, are our Orthodox kinfolks doing something like that?

John- Thank you for a visionary post. There is indeed a great need for evangelization.
However, as a former Latin Catholic who feels like he has stumbled onto the pearl of great price, only to be disappointed by the disinterest of friends, I should note that what a lot of "seekers" are seeking is subjectivism; the Evangelical megachurches, with their entertaining "worship" are growing like crazy, while the Byzantine Catholic churches are shrinking.
Of course, a lot of this shrinkage is because Byzantine Catholics are not reproducing, but we should be growing by reaching out to those hungry for God and true worship. But how many modern Americans even have this capacity?
How many recognize beauty and truth?
-Daniel, not intending to bring you down, but this is a problem.

I agree about the fact that most people are seeking a "feel good" subjectivism. They want "Jesus, the Bible, and me." That's why the Megachurches grow; no responsibility, Faith Alone, Bible Alone, Once Saved Always Saved. Easy to do, no real reason to change. (Although, most do change, there is no doctrinal reason to change one's behavior. As I've heard over and over again, "Christians who are saved don't need to follow the Ten Commandments, they were for the Old Testament Jews.")

The Eastern Churches can deliver the goods though, just ask St. Volodymyr. I have been bitten by the "Byzantine Bug" and I'm not the same. I had to make myself sit through another Novus Ordo with off key singing, drums that were off beat, a bass guitar that was too loud and out of tune. I was longing to be at the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. There has to be a way to reach the people. I know that there are Eastern Christian programs on the radio, is there any way that they can be better promoted? I learned most of my Western Catholicism from EWTN radio in St. Louis during drive time. 2-3 Hours per day for 3 years straight. That's almost a Bachelor's degree!!!

Did anyone check out the photos on that website:
www.byzantinecatholic.com [byzantinecatholic.com]

That church is amazing!!!

Actually our Admin John has an excellent idea regarding the upgrade for the website. It would give clear basic information for many that would be interested and seeking. It would also invite those that seek to understand the Byzantine Churches more and would have a basic foundation from which they can build from.

As far as targeting one portion over the other, I have mixed feelings. We are called to evangelize all , not just certain segments. This requires not only a superb website, or glossy information tracts, but face to face contact by those that are trained in all communities for this purpose, and not just the clergy. It requires our communities to buy into the fact that we exist not only for ourselves but to reach out and bring the gospel of salvation to those that are in darkness. If you wonder who is still in darkness, look around whenever you leave your home, and most you will see are in that darkness seeking that Light of the world, Jesus Christ.

The great commission extends to all and we will all be held accountable of how we help bring the gospel to all nations. If we are serious, we need to learn to reach out and go to these others and stop expecting them to come to us.

Then we will target and not miss anyone collectively. We have stiff competition and we are constantly lamenting on how we are losing. Maybe the time is here to prepare and then bring and deliver the gospel aggressively.

Just a few thoughts.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

I would like to add another thought. I read this thread early this morning, and during the course of the day I had time to think about it.

Websites are fine, and Dr Eric's comment regarding Annunciation Church is on the mark. It is a beautiful edifice. But like most, unless we bring those who are spiritually starved into our edifices and have them taste of the richness and beauty of the church in its fullness, it will be only a nice building on such and such a street.

We have to get the message out who we are, and bring the people to experience the fullness of the faith. Intellectual understanding is one thing that enhances one's intellect. Spiritual understanding helps one grow spiritually, growing towards the Kingdom of Heaven and the King of Kings.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+