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Published by the Orthodox Church in America, February 2005

OCA Publishes New Mission, Stewardship Handbooks

SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] -- In response to countless requests for updated and comprehensive resources in the areas of mission and evangelism and stewardship, the Orthodox Church in America recently announced the publication of two new handbooks.

After two years of intense research and development, the OCA Department of Evangelization's 120-page "Mission Handbook" was released in February 2005. In addition to introductory chapters outlining the Church's understanding of mission, evangelism, and Church growth, the handbook covers a wide variety of mission start-up strategies that, while geared to the planting of new communities, are equally valuable for older, established parishes. The handbook also includes a number of "how-to" chapters with essential information on a wealth of issues, from education and liturgical resources to finances, legal matters, and community development. With the rapid increase in the number of missions and mission stations being planted across North America and the growing concern for "turn around ministry" in declining parishes, the handbook is bound to enjoy wide popularity.

Appearing at the same time is a new Stewardship Handbook, published by the OCA Department of Stewardship. Building upon resources published during the past three decades, the handbook emphasizes the scriptural and theological basis of stewardship of time, talents, and treasures, with special attention given to proportional giving, tithing, and related issues. Far from limiting itself to the theory, the handbook includes several practical sections dealing with budgeting, replacing the "dues mentality" with sound stewardship programs, and planting attitudes conducive to sound stewardship principles. The 36-page handbook also features a number of scriptural resources designed to spark interest in establishing solid and serious stewardship programs on a number of levels.

Both handbooks are available in PDF format for easy downloading on the OCA web site at www.oca.org. In the future, as funding becomes available, the handbooks will be published in printed form and available through the OCA's Orthodox Christian Publications Center.

The work done by the Orthodox Church in America's Departments of Evangelization and Stewardship is funded by the Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards (FOS). The support provided by members of FOS through voluntary gifts is crucial to offset the costs of Departmental meetings, research, preparation, and distribution of materials. Donations to support the ever-expanding work of the OCA's Ministries may be sent to Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards, PO Box 675, Syosset, NY 11791-0675. On-line donations will be accepted at www.oca.org/pages/min_orgs/FOS/pages/contribute.html.



Volume 7 Number 9 - Tuesday, March 1st, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY