Looking for new ways to practice faith

Published March 4, 2006

IN THEORY

Looking for new ways to practice faith

Q: A coalition of Jewish and Christian leaders has convened meetings in March to discuss common ways to meet challenges of revitalizing spiritual communities. The project, put together by the groups Synagogue 3000 and Congregations of Intentional Practice seeks new ways of living faith within congregations. Underlying the discussions is a belief that believers in traditional faiths are looking for new ways to practice it. Synagogue 3000, for instance, has sought out advice from Rick Warren, author of "The Purpose Driven Drive," on ways to revitalize Jewish worship.

Is there a need in religious communities to fuse traditional faith with more "modern" forms of worship? And are there things to learn from other faiths that can help? Have you found this to be true in your own spiritual communities?

A: You can't get more traditional than us, the Armenian Apostolic Church. We're as old as they get. We literally have a chain of leadership that dates back to Christ's apostles (Thaddeus and Bartholomew). So this discussion is one that surfaces all the time among church leadership. How do you make an ancient faith attractive to the children of the modern world? I personally have a different philosophy and approach to this question than most clergy in our tradition.

For me, the tradition and language of the ancient Armenian Church is the language of the angels. The way I see it, we have two options, either to bring the angels down to Earth to mingle with people, or lift people up to fly with the angels. I opt for the latter and it seems to be working.

In fact, at our parish we celebrate the Liturgy in the ancient Armenian language and in accord with the practices as established in the early Christian centuries. And yet, our church is filled to capacity on Sunday mornings with worshippers of all ages, and primarily young families.

I think one of the problems in finding new methods and practices is that we underestimate two things. First we have to believe that the Church belongs to God and He is in control. He will not let His Church fail. Second, people have a need for the spiritual and that realm is intertwined in mystery, that is, not everything needs to be explained with words and clarity, but with a pure heart striving for wholeness.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church

Youth Ministries