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Koinonic Evangelism: a Case Study of the Theology and Practice of Evangelism As Practiced in Three Parishes of the Orthodox Church in America

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Koinonic Evangelism: a Case Study of the Theology and Practice of Evangelism As Practiced in Three Parishes of the Orthodox Church in America Koinonic Evangelism: A Case Study of the Theology and Practice of Evangelism as Practiced in Three Parishes of the Orthodox Church in America by Eric George Tosi A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the University of Trinity College and Toronto School of Theology In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry awarded by the University of Trinity College and the University of Toronto © Copyright by Eric George Tosi 2015 Koinonic Evangelism: A Case Study of the Theology and Practice of Evangelism as Practiced in Three Parishes of the Orthodox Church in America Eric George Tosi Doctor of Ministry The University of Trinity College and the University of Toronto 2015 Abstract The articulation of the theology and the practice of evangelism in the Orthodox Church has only recently begun to be explored in a formal manner. This paper explores the approach to evangelism in the Orthodox Church based on historical models and current practices in North America. It redevelops words and concepts which are contextually unique to the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). The approach to evangelism in the Orthodox Church takes on different methods and goals and develops a new understanding of evangelism according to the concept of koinonia (communion). This dissertation validates the proposed theology and practice of evangelism through a case study of three varied parishes of the Orthodox Church in America involving interviews, questionnaires, and observations. The title of koinonic evangelism points to the Orthodox understanding of a communal and community life that is instrumental in effective evangelism on a parish level. It redefines evangelism according to certain principles unique to the theology of the Orthodox Church. It reveals that evangelism may involve individual actions but must be a communal activity in order to be effective. The dissertation concludes with outlining specific principles of koinonic evangelism which can be applied in a parish setting. ii Acknowledgments This dissertation has been in development for many years and there are many people to acknowledge. My first thanks goes to the many fine examples of priesthood that I have been privileged to encounter in my life. My home parish priest, Archpriest Paul Kucynda who always pushed the love for evangelism and mission. My mentors and teachers Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko (Memory Eternal), Archpriest Paul Lazor, Archpriest John Erickson, and the many seminary professors at both St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary and St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Seminary. I thank the Holy Synod of Bishops for their support and encouragement, especially His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon. I thank my colleagues Protopresbyter Leonid Kishkovsky, Archpriest Alexander Garklavs, Archpriest John Jillions, Archpriest John Matusiak, Archpriest John Pierce, and Priest Timothy Hojnicki. You have all been gracious with your time during the project. I must thank the parishioners of Holy Apostles Church in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; Holy Resurrection Church in Tacoma, Washington; and St. Joseph Church in Wheaton, Illinois. I must point to the parishes of which I have had the privilege of being the rector; St. Nicholas of South Canaan Church in Billings, Montana; St. Paul the Apostle Church in Las Vegas, Nevada; and the temporary assignment at Holy Trinity Church in Rahway, New Jersey. As I have often said, you have given me far more than I have ever given you. I am grateful for all that you have done for my family and me. You have made me a better person and a better priest. I especially am grateful for my family and the incredible role models they have been in my life. My parents, George (Memory Eternal) and Evelyn, who taught me to do things right and with honor. My in-laws, who are a model of all that is good in a priestly couple, Archpriest Joseph and Matushka Shirley Lickwar. My brothers, who always challenge me, and my sister, whom I can never repay for all of her editing acumen, which makes me sound much smarter than I am. The final and most important acknowledgement goes to my family, my wife Christina and my two incredible children Alexander and Kyra. I am so sorry I missed some important events in your lives through this process but I love you all. Even when I was locked in the room writing, you were always in my heart. To Christina, thank you for letting me follow this passion, for following me where ever God has sent us, for listening to my rants and raves, and most of all for just being there. I promise this really is my last degree! iii Table of Contents Chapter 1. Introduction 1 1. Statement of the Problem 9 2. Purpose of the Study 12 3. Research Question and the Presented Thesis 16 4. Definition of Certain Terms 19 4.1. Evangelism 21 4.2. Mission 26 4.3. Proselytism 30 5. Preview of Remaining Chapters 36 6. Introduction Summary 37 Chapter 2. Previous Research and Literature Review 38 1. Where to Begin? 40 2. Historical Background and Lessons 47 3. Paradigm Shift and Later Patristic Sources 55 4. Influences to the Mission in North America 60 5. A Brief Review of the Orthodox Church in America 63 6. Critical American Missionaries 66 7. Cultural Evangelistic Concepts 80 8. The Orthodox Church in America Today 84 9. Review Summary 87 Chapter 3. Research Methods 89 1. Introduction 89 2. Design/Approach 90 3. Triangulation 93 4. Setting and Site Selection 95 5. Data-Gathering Procedures with Rationale 98 6. Data Sources (interviews, questionnaires, direct observations) 100 6.1. Interviews 100 6.2. Questionnaires 103 6.3. Direct Observations 109 7. Participants Selection Process with Rationale 111 8. Analysis Procedures and Coding Process 112 9. Methods Summary 114 Chapter 4. History and Context of the Three Parishes 116 1. Introduction 116 2. Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, Tacoma, Washington 118 3. St. Joseph Orthodox Church, Wheaton, Illinois 125 4. Holy Apostles Orthodox Church, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 133 5. Parishes Summary 141 iv Chapter 5. Results of the Study 142 1. Introduction 142 2. The Central Question Revealed 143 3. Answers to the Six Research Questions 149 3.1. Question 1: Do these parishes have a sufficient understanding of what evangelism, mission, and proselytism are and who is responsible for such work? 149 3.2. Question 2: Is there a historical methodology and terminology of evangelism that is still applicable in the Orthodox Church? 155 3.3. Question 3: What are the current theories and practices of evangelism as applied in a contemporary parish of the Orthodox Church in America? 161 3.4. Question 4: What are the effective (and ineffective) methods that OCA parishes have employed? What are the criteria that define effectiveness in evangelism? Why have they succeeded or failed? 173 3.5. Question 5: How are the parishes of the Orthodox Church in America engaging the current shifting culture and how are the people responding through evangelism? 184 3.6. Question 6: What are the cultural realities in North America which an Orthodox approach to evangelism needs to consider? 190 4. Results Summary 196 Chapter 6. Conclusions and Implications for Further Study 197 1. Introduction 197 2. Discussion of Findings 201 3. Limitations of Conclusion and Alternate Theories 211 4. Possible Implementation of the Study 213 5. Recommendations for Future Work 216 6. Concluding Thoughts 218 Appendices 220 Charts 241 Bibliography 253 v List of Appendices Appendix A: Sample Letter of Informed Consent Appendix B: Questions for Interview of Parish Clergy Appendix C: Interview questions for Parish and Parish leadership Appendix D: Questionnaire for Clergy Appendix E: Questionnaire for Parish Leadership Appendix F: Questionnaire for Parishioners vi List of Charts Chart A: Change in Geographical Presence of OCA Chart B: Density of Parishes of OCA Chart C: Locations of Parishes of OCA Chart D: Demographics of Orthodox Churches in North America Chart E: OCA Cartogram Chart F: US Religious Landscape Survey Summary Chart G: Change in Adherents in OCA Chart H: Population Penetration of OCA Chart I: OCA Parish Adherents by Category Chart J: Location of Parishes in OCA by Size vii Chapter 1 Introduction At the end of the 20th century, the evangelistic task is still regarded by many as a kind of sermon addressed to the world. However, evangelism is better understood and served not by placing the Gospel over against the world, but by seeking ways of relating the Gospel to the existential needs of the world. In Orthodox liturgical practice, in which the Eucharist is central, the world is brought to the Church in the forms of the natural elements, the cultural riches of the local community, or the everyday preoccupations of the faithful. Our liturgical and sacramental tradition clearly indicates that the Church’s mission is not literally throwing the Gospel into the face of the world, but rather seeking first to understand what every human being longs for, and then seeing how, through the Word and the Sacrament, the Church can respond to those needs or heal any infirmities. Georges Lemopoulos in “Come, Our Light, and Illumine our Darkness: Reflections of Evangelism from an Orthodox Perspective”1 The journey began with the most unlikely of phone calls. I was completing my third and final year of Seminary and patiently awaiting an assignment. As is sadly typical, the last few months of Seminary were filled with uncertainty. Where would I be assigned? Would it be the correct match? Was I capable of leading a parish? All of these weighed heavily on my family. Each potential assignment that was offered somehow fell through: the priest decided not to move, the parish decided it wanted a more experienced priest, or the salary package was simply unlivable.
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