Orthodox Parish Needs

Published by the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute, October 21, 2005

Orthodox “Parish Needs” Are Great in the Western United States

Berkeley, CA – The Parish Needs Survey of the PAOI provided many interesting and revealing results about the Orthodox parishes in the western United States. The survey called into question a number of assumptions about Orthodox communities, provided a tremendous start for further research, and offered insight into the types of programs most needed in the west. The study also showed that there is a lot of work to be done among the Orthodox parishes in the west, specifically in the areas of stewardship, outreach and evangelism, and education.

The Parish Needs Survey was designed as a first stage in the PAOI’s new “Parish Life Project.” Mr. Alexey Krindatch, who joined the PAOI this year, directed the Survey. Mr. Krindatch is one of the very few sociologists of religion studying the Orthodox Churches in the United States.

The Parish Life Project of the PAOI has three purposes: 1) to research the inner realities of Orthodox parish life in the United States, across the jurisdictions. By surveying and interviewing Orthodox parishes, the faithful, their lay leadership, the clergy, and the hierarchy the Parish Life Project hopes to provide a systematic profile of Orthodox community life; 2) to offer education and training for parish leadership, or for those desiring to become leaders, especially in areas of religious education and youth ministry, church music, the development of a permanent diaconate for parish service, and other areas as needs determine; 3) to publish and disseminate the results of the studies, either electronically though the Institute web site or through the Institute’s publishing arm, InterOrthodox Press.

According to Dr. Anton Vrame, Director of the PAOI, the Parish Needs survey “told us quite a lot about our parishes. But it showed quite dramatically how little we really know about parish life, beyond anecdotes and assumptions. We need to investigate objectively and systematically the inner workings of our parishes, in all jurisdictions on a far larger scale, both in terms of numbers of participants and issues investigated.”

Some of the most interesting results are about parish finances. When asked to reflect on their parish’s financial situation over the last five years, 39% of respondents felt that their situation was “good.” There were also wide differences among the jurisdictions. Twenty-six percent of respondents from GOA parishes felt that their parish finances were in difficulty, the highest among the four jurisdictions surveyed. In addition, GOA and Serbian respondents were the least satisfied with the financial support from their fellow parishioners.

While the respondents felt that things had become better over the last five years, compared with other Christian communions, Orthodox parishes may not be doing as well. Sixty-six percent of Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches reported in 2000 that their finances were doing well. In addition, 39% of respondents in the PAOI survey said that the need for more money was especially urgent.

Maybe not. Only 12% of respondents answered that “We are more modern, and allow for more differences of opinion,” than other “typical” parishes in our jurisdictions. Thirty-six percent replied that they are “more traditional” than the typical parish.

Women have been thought of to have a secondary place in Orthodox parish life. This however was challenged by the survey. On average, women comprised nearly half (49%) of all parish lay leaders, ranging from a low of 27% in OCA parishes to 56% in Greek Orthodox parishes. Men, however, remain firmly in control of parish councils with 77% of men serving as parish council presidents.

While a majority of respondents felt that their parishioners were basically satisfied with their parish’s life, a clear demarcation can be seen between jurisdictions. Thirty percent and 25% of respondents from the Greek Orthodox and Serbian parishes, respectively, reported that they felt parishioners were either only somewhat or nor satisfied with parish life, while just 10% and 12% of respondents from the Antiochian and OCA parishes felt this way about their communities.

The majority of respondents felt that their parish is active and alive (55%). However, only 29% of respondents said that their parish has well organized programs and activities and only 16% said that they have no problems finding volunteers. One can wonder what does it mean to be an active and alive parish without organized programs and people willing to volunteer?

There was a call for help with issues of evangelism and outreach (43% of respondents), education for adults (36%), and money/stewardship issues (35%) from the parishes, stating that they need assistance with these areas to a “great extent.” A high percentage expressed interest in the educational programs of the PAOI. Twenty-six percent of respondents said that they would likely consider participation in a proposed Certificate program. Forty-two percent expressed serious interest in the annual Summer Institute.

The “Parish Needs Survey” of the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute was conducted over the late spring and early summer of 2005 chiefly so that the Institute could learn the needs of the Orthodox communities in seventeen western states and develop programs that meet those needs. The survey was sent to four key parish leaders in 247 parishes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese Diocese, the Orthodox Church in America, and the Serbian Orthodox Church of the USA. The recipients of the survey were the parish priest, the parish council president, the Sunday school coordinator, and choir director.

For the full results of the survey, go to www.orthodoxinstitute.org and look for the Parish Life Project.



Volume 7 Number 43 - Tuesday, October 25, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY