Changes

In October 1990, the third annual meeting of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) in Chicago, Illinois, approved the formation of seven study groups to explore seven topics that were identified as critical to moving the Church ahead into the twenty-first century. This was the ''Project for Orthodox Renewal''.

In October 1990, the third annual meeting of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) in Chicago, Illinois, approved the formation of seven study groups to explore seven topics that were identified as critical to moving the Church ahead into the twenty-first century. This was the ''Project for Orthodox Renewal''.

On August 15, 1997 [[Pope John Paul II]] officially promulgated the ''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]'' (CCC), "a totally reliable way to present, with renewed fervor, each and every part of the Christian message to the people of our time." (''Apostolic Letter'' Laetamur Magnopere.) Particular national, ethnic, age-oriented and special-needs catechisms were to be prepared from this source.

On August 15, 1997 [[Pope John Paul II]] officially promulgated the ''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]'' (CCC), "a totally reliable way to present, with renewed fervor, each and every part of the Christian message to the people of our time." (Apostolic Letter ''Laetamur Magnopere.'') Particular national, ethnic, age-oriented and special-needs catechisms were to be prepared from this source.

In 2002 the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) hosted the First Annual Pan-Orthodox Youth and Camp Workers Conference.

In 2002 the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) hosted the First Annual Pan-Orthodox Youth and Camp Workers Conference.

Most recently, well-informed, committed conservative Christian apologists and veteran Sunday School teachers having decades of experience have pointed out that to be effective in equipping young people and professionals to face the challenges of a highly educated secular society, the church needs to redefine the mission of pastors and youth leaders to include training in apologetics and worldview, devout reverence for God and forms of genuinely sincere Christian [[prayer]] and [[Meditation#Christian meditation - Contemplation|contemplation]] ([http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/1_peter/3-15.htm 1 Peter 3:15]), along with more practical ways of effectively demonstrating and imparting all of this to their students. See [[Awe]].

Most recently, well-informed, committed conservative Christian apologists and veteran Sunday School teachers having decades of experience have pointed out that to be effective in equipping young people and professionals to face the challenges of a highly educated secular society, the church needs to redefine the mission of pastors and youth leaders to include training in apologetics and worldview, devout reverence for God and forms of genuinely sincere Christian [[prayer]] and [[Meditation#Christian meditation - Contemplation|contemplation]], along with more practical ways of effectively demonstrating and imparting all of this to their students ([http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/1_peter/3-15.htm 1 Peter 3:15]). ''See'' '''[[Awe]].'''

They assert that when America was a young nation, the [[clergy]] were often the most highly educated members of the community. The congregation looked up to them and respected their intellectual expertise. They argue that it is imperative for seminaries today to broaden the education of pastors to include courses on intellectual history, training future pastors to critique the currently dominant anti-Christian ideologies, and that [[pastor]]s must once again provide intellectual leadership for their congregations, teaching apologetics from the pulpit, instructing the congregation in ways to defend scripture against the major objections they are likely to encounter, and not to avoid this intellectual task ([http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/2_corinthians/10-5.htm 2 Corinthians 10:5]). They warn that a religion that retreats to the [[Counseling|therapeutic]] realm of personal relationships and feelings will not survive in today's spiritual battlefield.

They assert that when America was a young nation, the [[clergy]] were often the most highly educated members of the community. The congregation looked up to them and respected their intellectual expertise. They argue that it is imperative for seminaries today to broaden the education of pastors to include courses on intellectual history, training future pastors to critique the currently dominant anti-Christian ideologies, and that [[pastor]]s must once again provide intellectual leadership for their congregations, teaching apologetics from the pulpit, instructing the congregation in ways to defend scripture against the major objections they are likely to encounter, and not to avoid this intellectual task ([http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/2_corinthians/10-5.htm 2 Corinthians 10:5]). They warn that a religion that retreats to the [[Counseling|therapeutic]] realm of personal relationships and feelings will not survive in today's spiritual battlefield.