The eighth seminar for the Holy Synod Fathers on “Church Management and Development” was held.
The Eighth Seminar for the members of the Holy Synod was held from November 16-19, 2021, under the title “He Who Watches from Above.” The Coptic Institute for Church Administration and Development was honored by the directive of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II to prepare the Eighth Seminar on “Church Administration and Development.” The seminar aimed to present a proposed tools guide to assist the bishop in developing administrative stewardship within the dioceses and monasteries, serving as a draft for discussion during the seminar’s activities.
His Holiness the Pope delivered his address at the opening session of the first day of the Seminar of the Synod of Bishops on November 16, 2021, which was held at the Logos Center – the papal headquarters – Wadi El Natrun. The opening address revolved around the “Farewell Prayer” (John 17). As for the episcopate, it is based on three axes:
1- Identity: The fatherhood of the bishop, his responsibility (Matthew 20:25-28), and his strength, which he derives from the only source, which is God (Col. 2:4)
2- Tasks: Educational “preaching, learning, keeping the faith – example” (John 13:12). Sanctification (prayer and sacraments – loving care for all – patience and anticipation (Titus 2:24-26). And consecration: for churches, male and female servants – choosing cadres – selflessness – empowerment and testing (Phil. 2:4).
Identity, tasks, concerns.
3- Concerns: People’s salvation (John 10:17) or achievement. Concealment or transparency (John 8:11), (1 Timothy 5). Accepting dignity or rejecting it (1 Corinthians 4:10). Making a decision or making excuses. Harshness or wisdom?
His Holiness the Pope also delivered a speech in the first session of the second day of the seminar on “Orthodox Education, Discovering Talents, and Utilizing Energies.”
1- Orthodox teaching: Our church is not determined by outsiders, we are the ones who will renew it.
2- Discovering talents: The need for true discipleship so that we find people who take responsibility and the work does not stop.
3-Activating energies: Give the employee a chance and send him/her on tasks and opportunities so that he/she can grow.
As part of the seminar’s activities, the Institute presented a draft guide to the tools prepared by the Institute team for presentation in workshops chaired by the seminar’s bishops. The aim was to discuss the extent to which dioceses and monasteries could benefit from these tools in administrative management. Based on the comments received from the bishops during the workshops, the guide will be modified to ensure the tools achieve their intended practical utility.
The guide includes the following workshop tools:
1-Human resources management and development
2- Managing and developing material resources
3- Moving from “charity” to “development” service, especially for poor families and communities.
At the conclusion of the seminar on November 19, 2021, and under the patronage of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and the venerable bishops, the recommendations of the venerable fathers, members of the Holy Synod, regarding the development of administrative management systems in dioceses and monasteries were presented. The technical support the institute can provide to dioceses and monasteries in the coming period was also identified.
The Institute, while thanking His Holiness the Pope and the Fathers of the Holy Synod for the precious trust they have placed in their children, the team of male and female servants of the Institute, hopes that this humble effort will contribute to the tireless efforts undertaken by the Holy Synod to modernize the service system in our Coptic Orthodox Church and to develop the concepts and tools of administrative management to suit the needs of the times.
To watch a video on the achievements of the Coptic Institute for Church Management and Development during the period from 2015 to 2021, click here.
To view the events of the first day: Click here
To view the events of the second day: Click here
To view the events of the third day: Click here
To view the summary of the final report of the seminar, which was presented by His Grace Bishop Daniel, Secretary of the Holy Synod: Click here
