Clergy Conference Focuses on Spreading the Word

The 2003 Clergy Conference focused on ways Armenian clergymen can improve their communication skills, to build closer relationships with their parishioners and spread the Lord's Word.

One of the key aspects of the two-day conference prior to the Diocesan Assembly was a presentation by a professional instructor titled "Building Inspirational Rapport with the Congregation: Communicating the Word of God."

During this session the priests discussed ways to improve sermons, delivered trial sermons, and critiqued each other's methods.

"We wanted to find ways to connect with the parishioners more closely and have a better connection while we're giving the sermon," said Fr. Mikael Devejian, pastor at the St. Mark Church of Springfield, Massachusetts. "The clergy has to make an effort to understand the congregation. It can be hard, you have to make sure you understand where the congregation is to speak to that in context of the sermon."

During the Clergy Conference, the Primate also stressed the importance of communication.

"We need to be communicators with God and with one another," the Primate said. "And, most especially, we need to be communicators with our flocks. The Divine Liturgy is a key element of that mission."

Along with focusing on improving communication, professional discussions on how to work with parishes, and tips for financial planning, the Clergy Conference's untold benefit is bringing together the clergy as a family.

"One of the values of the clergy getting together is you realize you're a part of a brotherhood," Fr. Mikael said.

"You're a community of priests and you're not out there alone. Hopefully we encourage each other by these conferences. We also pray together. We need to uplift one another and we do that by praying together."