Problems of the Ministry
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III lists the problems of church ministry and explains that it may sometimes be without the Spirit or confused in ideas and curricula, weakening the spiritual impact of the ministry. The problem is not only lack of zeal but also organizational, educational, spiritual, and behavioral aspects that affect the quality of pastoral care and service.
Educational and Methodological Issues
There is an absence of a unified educational curriculum; each branch or church may follow a different curriculum causing dispersion. There is a need to unify church educational curricula through higher committees to correct this defect.
Misuse of Authority and Loss of Humility
His Holiness mentions problems of misuse of authority among stewards or service leaders, and the loss of humility among servants, which creates divisions and repels people instead of attracting them.
Commitment and Regularity in Service
There are problems with teachers and speakers not committing to schedules and preparation; sometimes sermons come unprepared or speakers are not committed, weakening the effectiveness of the delivered word.
Material, Spatial and Numerical Problems
Insufficient space and large numbers turning into noise, or branches needing multiple locations or multiple service days to solve overcrowding.
Lack of Spirituality in Activities
Some activities lack spiritual depth; choirs sometimes do not conform to liturgical propriety, and the low spirituality of some services diminishes their effect on souls.
Needs of Youth and Speakers
Youth meetings are sometimes insufficient and participant numbers decline through age stages. It is necessary to identify good speakers and their topics and to use evaluations to choose those whom people love and who truly influence them.
Suggested Remedies and Encouragement of Participation
Proposed conducting surveys, collecting information from branches to correct situations, utilizing available energies and employing servants to follow up absentees and guide souls, and working to unify curricula and improve commitment and preparation.
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