Who Is the Guiding Coalition?
After establishing a sense of authentic urgency, an effort to effectively lead change, necessitates the development of a guiding coalition, comprised of a diverse grouping of individuals who believe in the mission of the Church, and are secure enough to embrace change when appropriate. This leadership group can best serve the Church if it is unified in an articulated mission — in the case of Orthodox Christians in America; a mission that is focused on American soil as a mission field, including the ‘established parishes.’ The mission consists of bringing the essence and spirit of historic Orthodox Christianity to America, not as a museum piece of cultural caveat, but as the medium of divine sanctification, and true experience of God. Therefore, I ask again, who will be this guiding coalition?
SCOBA – The Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America?
The Greek Orthodox Synod of Hierarchs?
An Archdiocesan Council?
A Metropolis Council?
Vicariate Leadership?
A Clergy Synaxis?
A Parish Council?
Do any of them have the urgency to move? Do any of them have the ability? Do any of them have the guts? Who are the true leaders of the Orthodox in America, those who work tirelessly to be vessels for the Holy Spirit to work through? I surmise that it may be the same way that it has always been — from the ground-up. Local parishes, to local clergy groups, moving their way through the Vicariates, to the Diocese, with enough of a groundswell to make the top half move.
I say again, ‘Who are our leaders?’
What say you?
