Orthodox Church in America Holds Planning Meeting for Lilly Endowment New Churches Initiative

On June 9–10, representatives from across the Orthodox Church in America gathered in Springfield, VA, for a two-day planning meeting as part of the Church’s participation in the Lilly Endowment’s New Churches Initiative.

Earlier this year, the Orthodox Church in America was invited to apply to this national initiative, which seeks to support the establishment of new worshiping communities and help Christian organizations develop sustainable models for church planting and long-term growth. The invitation itself is a recognition of the Orthodox Church in America’s organizational health and demonstrated capacity to undertake significant initiatives.

The invitation also comes at a providential moment. Across North America, many parishes and missions are experiencing significant growth, while increasing numbers of inquirers and catechumens continue to seek the Orthodox faith.

The planning process began earlier this year with a series of interviews involving clergy, lay leaders, seminary representatives, mission priests, diocesan administrators, and other stakeholders from throughout the Church. The June gathering brought many of those voices together for a period of reflection,…