Orthodox Church Missiology
Missiology of the Orthodox Church
Mission outreach has been practiced by the Orthodox church from its inception; modern Orthodox Missiology as an academic and professional practice largely traces its roots to Archishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durres and Albania
He served as a missionary in East Africa
Professor at the University of Athens
Founder of Porefthendes, Inter-Orthodox Mission Center in 1961.
ORTHODOX MISSIOLOGY
In addition to proclaiming the gospel message; Orthodox Missiological practice includes:
poverty/food insecurity
social justice
medical care
prison
social services
Some Examples of Distinctions of the Orthodox Church
The Church
Liturgy and Tradition
Theosis, Incarnation and Ascension
Unique aspects Orthodox Church and Missions
Church service as witness
prayers - hymns - scripture lessons - gestures - processions
Sacraments are a reminder that God became flesh in Jesus Christ and His death, resurrection for the sins of humanity
Eucharist, Baptism, Chrismation, Holy Orders, Confession, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage
GMNF and Orthodox Mission
GMNF Global Mission Society has operations to Orthodox Church Mission non-profits and churches.
In addition to creating and cooperating on mission strategy, operation and practice in the mission field; GMNF also supports Orthodox Mission organizations in their activities:
Orthodox Christian Mission Center
International Orthodox Christian Charity
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Orthodox Mission
Trinity is a broad Christian divinity school with faculty and students from various denominations and branches of Christianity
The masters and doctoral degree programs in intercultural studies (missiology) at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School is applicable and beneficial to Orthodox Missiology.
The cross cultural communications,
Anthropology,
Contextualization,
Theology of Mission
and other fields
within Intercultural Studies at Trinity can be implemented in Orthodox Missions through GMNF Global Mission Society but also in Orthodox Churches and non profits worldwide.
These disciplines within missiology helps with prison, homeless, counseling, medical, social services and other Orthodox ministry areas
One additional benefit of studying at Trinity as an Orthodox Christian (A) Getting exposure to other perspectives (which is benefical as the people who we encounter regularly are from different outlooks)
(B) while having the ability to sync intercultural studies to Orthodox Christianity
(C) Remain faithful to Orthodox faith.
These benefits in their fullest expression won't not be possible in schools with one denomination or branch of Christianity