We Are Orthodoxy

Steve and Christian reflect upon some of the insights gleaned through the forty-four interviews conducted to date.

Hope has been on an interesting journey through Orthodoxy, that some may even refer to as a "there and back again" story. She discusses her time in evangelical Christianity as well as some of the experiences she has had in now being a full-time staff member with a Christian ministry program.

Randy is in his mid-30s and describes his relationship with the Orthodox Church and his desire to be known fully as the person he really is.

Lee is a 29-year-old army captain living in Alaska. He discusses the importance of other people in building and sustaining his life of faith.

Sandra is a parish administrator in the Chicagoland area and explores how her faith has played a central role in her life for as long as she can remember.

David is 24 and has been Orthodox for most of his life. In this interview, he discusses his sometimes rough (and sometimes wonderful) relationship with the Orthodox Church.

Monica is in her 30s and discusses her conflicted relationship with the Church. She touches on the reality of the presence of mystery within the Church but wonders if people are really ready to embrace the uncertainty that goes along with it.

Sandra is a 33-year-old pharmacist living in DC, and she discusses the impact of the division of the Orthodox Churches and its impact on her, her marriage, and the world around her.

Nic is a folklorist, and he describes the notion of how the vegvisir can be something that guides us home if we keep coming back.

Marie is a recent convert to the Church, and she discusses some of the path that led her here, including seeing how much it mattered to others in her life.

Justin is finishing college and describes how his life has been impacted by finding a community that has helped him live life in a new way. Finding Orthodoxy has only further encouraged him as he seeks to engage life fully.

Ryn is 32 years old. Currently working for a non-profit, she feels that she is discovering what it is that she is meant to do, all while exploring Orthodoxy and learning to grieve.

Juan is in his 30s and is navigating the waters of marriage and parenthood. A military veteran, his life has had twists and turns, and he shares how all of them have continually lead him to Christ.

Megan is a 20-year-old junior in college and has found her way to the Church. She discusses the tension between details and mystery and how Orthodoxy can touch the whole of life if we let it.

Mark is a 31-year-old convert to Orthodoxy. Growing up in a family where justice ruled the day, his encounter with Orthodoxy was a merciful, loving breath of fresh air.

Jules is 19 years old, and since she was 12 years old, she has been looking for her spiritual home. Not finding it in Orthodoxy, she has become deeply involved in an evangelical community, where she feels she is continually growing closer to God and discovering her calling.

Naomi is 22 years old, newly married, and is finishing up her doctoral work in physical therapy. In this conversation, she discusses the centrality of relationships and their role in how she has experienced the Church as a place of comfort or as a place of distress.

Patrick is 30 years old, working as a machinist in California. Having converted 8 years ago, Patrick finds himself on the cusp of a couple transitions. As he prepares to become a father for the first time, he is also preparing to say goodbye to his own father. In the midst of this, his reflection leads him to ponder the faith, life, and legacy of his father and how this is guiding him as he considers what kind of legacy he wants to leave for his own children.

In this Lenten lecture, Christian discusses three major themes of conversation that have emerged from We Are Orthodoxy interviews so far. He discusses why these themes may be emerging, lays forth a biblical paradigm for conceptualizing ministry, and closes by offering a few concrete vistas for imagining what it might look like to minister to young adults.

Hosanna is a 23-year-old grad student, getting a degree in literature. As a first generation Eritrean-American, she finds herself stuck between cultures, and hasn't exactly known where she fits. What's more is that she was raised in a Protestant church, but recently has been discovering her family's historic roots in Orthodoxy and wondering if this is the place where she'll find not only where she's from, but also where she belongs.