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Press Contact: Rev. Father Michael Sorial atFrMichael@sachurch.org
The Americas and Australasia Clergy Evangelism Seminar of 2015: His Grace Bishop David Leads Clergy Seminar to Discuss the Future of Evangelism in the Americas and Australasia
Charlton, MA (February 12, 2015) – The Coptic Orthodox Clergy Evangelism Committee of the Americas and Australasia is pleased to announce the completion of its 2nd Annual Seminar. This event followed the 2014 inaugural meeting which took place in Titusville, Florida and was hosted by His Grace Bishop Youssef of the Diocese of the Southern United States of America. The inaugural meeting was attended by all of the Coptic Orthodox Diocesan Bishops and the Patriarchal Exarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church in North America in order to discuss the Church’s efforts in evangelism within the appropriate cultural context.
His Grace Bishop David presided over a meeting of seventeen clergy and academics from February 10 – 12 to discuss the future of evangelism and to explore the process of cultural integration. The committee focused on adherence to the “Coptic Orthodox Church in her faith, teachings, and practices,” and discussed the need to maintain this commitment in a manner that “is culturally integrated to her local community” (excerpts from the proposed Mission Statement) while exploring the theology and methodology of the “Church’s role in both preaching and teaching” (excerpt from the proposed Vision Statement). Particular emphasis was placed upon such topics as Methods of Evangelism, Praise and Hymnology, Effective Evangelism by Maintaining an Orthodox Faith and Tradition, and Networking.
Several recommendations will be presented to a committee of bishops established by the Holy Synod. Thereafter, resolutions will be issued and published upon review and approval of the recommendations.
About Coptic Orthodox Clergy Evangelism Committee of the Americas and Australasia
The Coptic Orthodox Clergy Evangelism Committee of the Americas and Australasia aims to raise awareness and unify an Orthodox Christian approach to evangelism in the Americas and Australasia that preserves an Orthodox theology, the practices and liturgical traditions of the Coptic Church, while seeking proper methods of cultural integration within a given host country.