Fr. John Finley is an Orthodox priest who helps
mission churches in the western US. with the Antiochian Dept. Of Missions and Evangelism.
FJ-22-01 Building a Mission from Ground
Zero
This is a personal and piercing challenge. Fr. John advocates 1) Getting rid of
the convert (cradle vs. Convert Christians) mentality which divides people. 2) Orthodoxy
is not one of the choices for a church - Christ is building One Church. 3) Get rid of the
jesting and good old boys club and instead encourage one another.
FJ-22-02 Spiritual Formation of Missions
To build a mission we need to set our own personal house in order. First we
should not be a slave to finances. Get out of debt. We can't bring America to the Orthodox
faith if we don't love America. Fr. John draws on the four things we have in America as
recounted by his Bishop. In America we have Human rights, Opportunity, Freedom and Beauty.
This is a touching message. Very inspirational.
