More Than a Welcome: Connecting Newcomers to the Heart of Orthodoxy
Strengthening the Orthodox Church through Mentorship and Discipleship
The Importance of Mentorship in the Orthodox Church
If your Orthodox parish is like ours, we are seeing many new individuals and families seeking the ancient truths and deep connections that our faith offers. This influx of newcomers gives our Faithful a real opportunity: embrace the call to mentorship, guiding and supporting those new to the Orthodox Christian faith.
The Great Commission: Our Call to Action
At the heart of our Christian mission is the Great Commission. Jesus Christ commands us to make disciples of all nations in Matthew 28. We do this not merely by baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and counting noses to report to the bishop—but also by teaching and nurturing them in the faith.
Passing on the Church's teachings and traditions is a collective responsibility, and we fulfill it by mentoring those who seek guidance.
Nurturing Faith: A Community Effort
1 Corinthians 3:5: What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.
In 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, St. Paul reminds us that we are all servants of God. Each of us plays a vital role in the growth of God’s kingdom. He says that some plant, others water, but God makes the garden grow. Regardless of our role, each one is important and needed. Whether planting seeds of faith or providing nourishment, we nurture new members’ faith. Every member of the church can help catechumens and newcomers develop spiritually, not just the book nerds, not just the theology buffs, and not just the people who volunteer for things over and over again.
By working together, the community helps these individuals flourish in their faith.
The Impact of Mentorship: Personal Stories Matter
Think about your own experiences with mentorship and how profoundly they affected you—even outside of the Church. Mentors offer guidance, support, and wisdom, shaping our understanding and deepening—how much more so our mentors who inspire us in our commitment to Christ. A ride to church, a place to stay, personal stories, and insights—these acts of service significantly influence a person's spiritual journey.
The role of a godparent is a perfect example. It's a lifelong commitment to nurture another's spiritual journey, becoming a spiritual family member who provides guidance and support. As newcomers enter into the life of the Church, they will inevitably need to form new relationships. You never know when you’ll meet a new lifelong friend.
Build Relationships, Seek Guidance
We should encourage newcomers to build relationships with established members of the community, seeking their guidance and support. While clergy offer pastoral wisdom and clarification, fellow congregants can provide additional support and perspective. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your thoughts—these are essential. Church leaders should do their best to help inquirers and catechumens not only feel welcome, but to integrate them into the established ministries of the parish.
Mentorship goes both ways. Mentors and mentees learn and grow from one another. As we guide others, we gain new insights and perspectives, strengthening our own faith. When we pray for one another and support each other’s growth, the entire community benefits.
Go Forth: Cultivate a Vibrant Faith Community
It matters that we don’t only show up to Liturgy, but that we embrace the mission of discipleship and mentorship with open hearts! We should seek to cultivate a vibrant and growing faith community, rooted in the love of Christ.
Each of us is called to fulfill a role in planting seeds, or nurturing growth, and in all things following the example set by our Lord.
As I admonished our men’s ministry recently, we all need to go forth and be those mentors! You certainly have something to offer and share to others. Share your wisdom, your experiences, and your love for Christ with those who are just beginning their journey. Support them, encourage them, and help them find their place within our community.
In doing so, you not only enrich their lives but also deepen your own faith and strengthen the bonds of our church family. In the words of Saint Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:11): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."