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On a theme hot in OrthoTwitter - Orthodoxy's mission has not changed. It has always remained the same. Partaking of the life of God, God sends the Church back into the world, to witness for the life of the world, and for its healing.
In North America, Orthodoxy has been and continues to try to find her way. The 80's and 90's witnessed to a crescendo of mainline Protestant interest in Orthodoxy, leading to some conversions.
Orthodoxy used these as a stepping stone for mission - identifying mission with appealing to other Christians to return to the Church. There may be a better way in this multireligious society.
That way is to be who you are - the Orthodox Church - to pour out completely for everyone in the local neighborhood without ever asking for anything in return. That's the mission. Let God take care of the rest.
God will lead those who need guidance on their journey to Orthodoxy. The culture wars and the pathetic attempt to construct a political religion through Orthodoxy - this is an obstruction. Or, as Fr. Schmemann said so often - a reduction.
