Service issues

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III presents the problems of the church service and focuses on the necessity of reforming service methods to be alive in their spirit and methodically coherent so that they truly serve the people.

Methodological and educational problems
One problem is that the service sometimes lacks a fixed educational curriculum, so each branch or church works with a different curriculum; therefore there is a need for curricular unity at the level of supervising committees.

Spiritual and behavioral problems
Sometimes conflicting ideas appear, or loss of the spirit of service and humility, and misuse of authority by some trustees or leaders, which weakens the service’s impact on people.

Commitment of workers and their performance
Lack of commitment from teachers or speakers regarding schedules and preparation weakens the work; and the presence of unprepared speakers leads to passing talk that does not nourish souls.

Spatial, numerical and organizational problems
Lack of space or its inadequacy, or crowding of numbers turning into noise, or insufficiency of activities and their spirituality — all are obstacles that must be addressed by action and coordination.

On choir and activities
Weakness of choir commitment, problems of service clubs, and insufficiency of service conferences or youth meetings affect the growth of servants and youth within the parish.

Practical suggestions and follow-up
A call to unify church education curricula, prepare surveys to know preferred speakers and their topics, collect information about sects and service areas to correct situations, and activate task distribution and utilize available energies.

Spiritual summary
The goal is that the service be saturated with spirit and preaching and effective preparation that makes the church attractive, and qualified to meet people’s spiritual, educational and organizational needs so that it performs its mission seriously and with love.

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