In the midst of the Summer, I begin thinking about Church planning for the coming year. The Church calendar begins in September, so we have just about one month to plan and organize. I am hoping for a robust restart this year!
We were all affected last year by the Coronavirus. The Church and the parish ministries also were. Other than what we were able to do on Zoom, like Orthodoxy 101, not much else happened. If you are among those frustrated by a lack of ministries, now is the time to find ways in which you can participate and help. Nothing happens without dedicated volunteers. I kind of compare it to military service (go figure).
There is no mandatory service or draft for the armed forces of our country. However, once volunteers enlist, they are required to be totally committed. They cannot just quit. They cannot expect someone else to pick up their job. When deployed, they cannot desert their post, nor leave their comrades and return home. In return, they are paid, given good benefits, housed, fed, educated and extensively trained in many different skills.
The Church also has a volunteer enlistment. The Church also is a shelter that provides spiritual food. It is a sanctuary that provides immeasurable sacramental benefits. The Church also provides extensive training in the use of spiritual weaponry. And, comrades in the Church family.
The question is, do we commit ourself, one another, and our whole life to Christ our God? Are we good soldiers of Christ Jesus demonstrating discipline, bravery, loyalty, and strength in the many challenges we face every day?
As the new Church year approaches, let us re-enlist as good soldiers of Christ. The pay isn't great, but your reward will be great in Heaven.