The Institute participated in the first meeting of the Council of Churches of the Central Cairo Region, in the presence of His Grace Bishop Raphael, General Bishop of the Region’s Churches.

On Thursday, January 19, 2023, corresponding to 11 Toba 1739 A.M. (which also corresponded to the glorious Feast of Epiphany), and on the occasion of the New Year and the Feast of the Theophany, the first general meeting of the church councils of Central Cairo was held after their new formation. The meeting was hosted by Engineer Sami Saad and attended by His Grace the esteemed Bishop Anba Rafael, General Bishop for the churches of Central Cairo.

Following prayers, welcomes, and introductions, His Grace Anba Rafael delivered a spiritual address on the “Priorities of the Church,” which are:

1- Church peace:

Develop a clear vision for each church during the council period.

We always strive for peace and love among the members of the Council (peace and building)

We work a lot in silence, in self-denial.

2- Integration:

+Spiritual dimension, pastoral dimension and administrative dimension.

+Integration and harmony in our interests despite different points of view, while respecting others.

3- Education safety:

“Let us look at the tradition, teaching, and faith of the universal Church, which has existed since the beginning. It was given by the Lord, preached by the Apostles, preserved by the Fathers, and on this foundation the Church was founded.” (The First Epistle of St. Athanasius to Serapion 1:28) Preserving education is the responsibility of the priests and ministers of church education, and the Council, as an administration, does not allow anyone to enter who teaches false doctrines.

4- Non-use: through the service for personal purposes.

5- Forming specialized committees (legal, engineering, etc.) through each church council, with the assistance of specialists from outside the council among the people, each in his or her field and specialty, to expand the base of participants in the service. At the end of His Grace Bishop Raphael’s speech, some members suggested forming a general committee of legal and engineering consultants from across the churches in central Cairo, to be assisted if needed.

Dr. Magdy Latif El-Sandy, Dean of the Institute for Church Administration and Development, also delivered a lecture titled “The Role of the Church Council in the Administrative Management of the Church: Why – How It Works – How It Succeeds.”

The lecture focused on the biblical foundation for the service of church councils as an extension of the service of the seven deacons, and the council’s role in developing institutional service work to support the spiritual and pastoral mission of the church. It also addressed how the role of the church council in administrative management integrates with the roles of the priests’ assembly and the service secretariat in the spiritual and pastoral management of the church.

Furthermore, the lecture reviewed the key cautions that must be considered for the council to successfully fulfill its mission, along with the elements of wise stewardship and sound administration that councils need for their service to be successful.