A Church at the Crossroads
The Crisis in American Orthodox Christianity and the Decisions Needed for Renewal
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Americans know little about Eastern Orthodox Christianity, primarily because adherents to the Faith constitute only 0.5% of the U.S. population. Yet Orthodox Christianity is the second largest, after the Roman Catholic Church, Christian denomination in the world, the religion of over 300 million people. The Orthodox Church believes it is the direct continuation of the Faith Jesus Christ gave to the Apostles, and which Orthodoxy has maintained to the present day. Orthodoxy in America today is in crisis. Large numbers have left the Church. and church attendance has dramatically declined, while many who remain question key doctrines of the Church, Yet, at the same time, Orthodox churches in America are welcoming more converts to the Faith than ever before. This book explores and analyzes the causes of both the abandonment of people from the Church, and the attraction of converts to the Faith. The author issues a call for Church "reform to conserve," and presents a detailed agenda for orthodox renewal.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Recent research reveals a mass exodus from Eastern Orthodoxy in America. But why have so many people left the Church?
About the Author
Michael J. Bakalis shares how he went from being an active believer to questioning Church doctrine. Ultimately, he found his way back to belief, and in this book, he reveals how he evaluated evidence regarding the life and teachings of Jesus Christ to restore his faith and ignite his call for changes in his Church. As you read, you’ll consider questions such as • Why does the Orthodox Church in the United States find itself in such a crisis? • How are the Orthodox Churches in America organized and governed? • Why is adherence to religion in general in such decline? • Why is a new unified American Orthodox Church necessary for the future of Orthodoxy in the United States? The author presents specific proposals for renewal, not in Church doctrine, but rather how to reach current adherents and new converts. Some proposals will be viewed as controversial, but the goal is to stimulate a national Orthodox dialogue that can result in needed action. “The Orthodox Christian Church in America is in crisis. In the past few decades, of those who were baptized in the Faith, almost 50% have left the Church.” “The Orthodox Church in the United States is at a crossroads. Two paths are before the Church, one will lead to continued decline, the other to vibrant growth and renewal. Which road will the Church take?”