Who we are

Following the Primate's remarks, Diocesan Council member James Kalustian discussed a survey recently undertaken by the Diocese of ACYOA members, clergy, delegates, and parish council chairs.

"We wanted to better understand what the flame is and how it represents our Christian identity," Kalustian said. "What it means to us individually and as a whole. We want to begin a dialogue today and this dialogue is not going to end today. The challenge is to make sure this dialogue continues throughout the coming years so we're beginning to dialogue today to try and get the next generation more involved in the leadership of the church."

The respondents of the survey said that overall they believe the Armenian Church is an excellent vehicle for their relationship with Jesus Christ, Kalustian said, adding that there are opportunities to improve that vehicle to improve that relationship.

Some overall results of the survey showed that promoting the Armenian heritage is an important part of the church, but not a primary responsibility of it. The respondents also strongly disagreed with the statement "To be an Armenian Christian you need to speak the language."

Kalustian said that for ACYOA members, it is more important their children marry members of the Armenian Church then it is that they merry Armenians.

"Overall respondents are split as to weather being Armenian and being an Armenian Christian are one in the same," he said, noting the clergy and ACYOA respondents share a belief it is.'

The respondent pool was also split in their belief that the Armenian Church is important in the lives of every Armenian, though they said it should be. Kalustian said the language of badarak was not identified by the respondents as source for church not being significant.

Clergy and ACYOA members reportedly feel there should be more training and skill development opportunities for young people.

"While everyone agreed there should be more opportunities for youth and young adults to carry the flame. there was no consensus that the youth were prepared to carry the flame at this time," Kalustian said, noting that in general clergy and ACYOA respondents shared common views on most issues.

The delegates, joined by delegates to the Women's Guild Assembly, then discussed the results and what it means to be an Armenian Christian today in small group round table discussions lead by clergy, Diocesan Council members, staff, and youth representatives.

Posted by Jake at April 29, 2005 10:05 AM