Pope Shenouda III explains that the church should be a center of continuous activity and living energy, and that the priest is the main mover or supporter of these activities, aiming to serve the people spiritually, socially and practically.

1. The priest’s role in activating church life

• A successful priest turns the church into a flame of activity, engaging as many people as possible in beneficial service.

• Activity is not limited to teaching but extends to handwork, social service, visitation and church organization.

2. Practical models of church activities

1. Summer activity:

   • Includes carpentry, plaster work, making models of the Tabernacle or Solomon’s Temple, linking education with practical work.

   • Helps children understand the Bible in a practical way.

2. Handicrafts:

   • Such as making frames, chandeliers and educational models, or a model of the iconostasis to explain its contents.

3. Church media:

   • Producing videos about the sacraments of the church and presenting them as a teaching tool.

3. Engaging the congregation in service

• Forming teams for visits: visiting the sick, family visitation, serving the poor, and case-study groups.

• Preparing a full map of the area with the names of Coptic families.

• Forming groups to respond to heresies and false teachings.

• Creating scout and order teams to maintain organization in the church.

4. Internal organization of the church

• Engaging women in cleaning the church.

• Ensuring security and safety in church buildings.

• Organizing attendance of meetings and tracking absentees for follow-up visits.

• Establishing libraries for adults and for children, with specialized librarians.

5. Service to children and special needs

• Creating a “crying room” or playroom for children during the liturgy so parents are not embarrassed.

• Assigning caretakers (nannies) to supervise children during services.

6. Training the people in liturgical service

• Training youth in making the Eucharistic bread with psalms and hymns.

• Forming groups of young deacons and teaching them hymns.

• Using elderly or retired people in service when children are not available.

7. Administration and technological needs

• Forming a computer team to manage church membership, service to the poor, and recording needs.

• Using databases for quick access to information and accurate service.

Spiritual conclusion

The active priest is the one who transforms service into a communal participation where each person discovers his talent, feels his value, and the church becomes a living home full of movement, where everyone works with love, humility and cooperation.

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