Every church does some things well and struggles with others. In Part 2, Join Bill Marianes for a recommended step-by-step parish strategic planning process.

Orthodoxy has declined from 20% of global Christians in 1910 to 12% in 2010. We are not yet making Orthodox "disciples of all nations" to the degree our Lord instructed us. Why? Some answers can be found in the latest leadership, innovation, and change management best practices and research.

On the 7th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America, Frederica reflects on the role of God's judgment and repentance.

Here is the second part of a talk Frederica gave on the influence of the sexual revolution in the movies. Part 1 was posted on September 4.

Today, Frederica looks at the CS Lewis classic, Miracles. Even if you have read this book, you won't want to miss Frederica's reflections on it!

Frederica discusses the Protevangelion.

Having received much feedback on her November 9, 2011, episode, Frederica reflects again on the subject of gay rights.

Part two of a three-part series based upon the book titled, The Gift of Pain, by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey.

Frederica reads "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. Part 2 of 5

This is part 2 of the fascinating report given in the car by Shamassey Ina about her trip to Rome. Keep your eyes on the road because the ladies do get a little lost in this episode!

Doxacon is a gathering of Orthodox Christians with an interest in fantasy, sci-fi, and gaming. This year they asked me to deliver the lay keynote (conference theme: "Making Virtuous Decisions in Fiction"), and I confessed that I don't know much about those popular forms of media. So we compromised. First, I speak about Charles Dickens, and how some non-virtuous personal decisions affected his life and his writing; then my son, Fr. Stephen Mathewes, relates the "virtuous decisions" question to some popular books, movies, and videogames. At the end I came back with a few thoughts about bees. Enjoy!

Frederica Mathewes-Green explores the ways the 22nd/23rd Psalm reflects a year of shepherding a sheep.

Frederica Mathewes-Green explores, in three parts, her experience as a beekeeper. She mispronounces “propolis” every time!

Fr. Tom considers the act of asking for forgiveness, as well as who it is we hurt when we sin.

On the second Sunday of Great Lent we remember St. Gregory Palamas and Fr. Tom instructs us on why he is so important in our theology about knowing the unknowable God.

Fr. Thomas gives an overview of the services for the 5th week of Great Lent and their final emphasis on penitence and repentance.

Fr. Tom continues his discussion, this time focusing on the Divine Attributes of God.

Fr. Tom looks at the Roman-Byzantine empire of the fourth century.

Fr. Tom speaks with two students and a leader in the Crossroad program.

In commemoration of the Feast of his beheading, Fr. Tom continues his discussion of the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptizer, John.

Fr. Thomas continues to get listener feedback on his teaching on God's wrath. In this follow-up lesson, he explores further how the Scriptures and the Fathers express this difficult concept as compared to the hellenistic and platonic views sometimes expressed through history.

Fr. Thomas continues his examination of Passion Week with Jesus' teachings on the final judgment.

Fr. Tom Hopko continues his series on Darwin with his 2nd reflection on the creation story in Genesis.

How do you describe the distinction between human beings and animals? Is it the soul or is it something else altogether?

In the second in his series on bishops, Fr. Tom reflects on the New Testament and early Church formulations of the offices and functions of clergy.

What are we to make of the moral behavior of many of the heroes of the Old Testament like David, Solomon, Abraham, Lot, and others? Fr. Tom helps us deal with these figures in the proper way and according to God's ultimate plan.

In his continuing series on Bishops, Fr. Tom takes up where he left off in the last episode by concentrating on the influence of the writings attributed to but not actually from Dionysius the Areopagite.

Some interesting canons are discussed in today's program including a canon against feigning insanity!

As Fr. Tom continues his look at the so called Quintisext councils, the issues of church attendance and mixed marriages are among the topics addressed.

What is the Orthodox teaching about remarriage after adultery? What about re-baptism of one brought into the Church? Fr. Tom talks about this and more in today's episode.

In this final episode on the so called Council in Trullo or the 5th and 6th Ecumenical Councils, Fr. Tom completes his commentary on the 102 canons. This includes the issue of not kneeling in church on Sunday, how to bring in Christians from other denominations, the creation and consumption of pornography, and more.

An intense and violent period in Church history surrounded the veneration of icons. Learn about those who gave their lives for the preservation of this important physical demonstration of the Incarnation as well as those Bishops who sided with with the iconoclasts and were later identified as heretics.

The Orthodox Church is the Church of the 7 Councils and the 7th one is far more important than some would believe. Learn about the importance of Icons as well as the importance of the Holy Scriptures.

Fr. Tom is exploring the canons of the 7th Ecumenical Council held in Nicea and today talks about bishops who are appointed by secular heads of state as well as the frequency and nature of the meetings of bishops.

Fr. Tom continues his look at the canons of the 7th Ecumenical Council including those that have to do with the books written by the iconoclasts, relics in the altar, and the financial affairs of the Church.

The canons discussed today deal with church property, those who would be set apart to read in the divine services, and the appropriate clothing for bishops and clergy.

Fr. Tom concludes his look at the 7th Ecumenical Council with the canons dealing with building shrines or chapels and monastic discretion.

In part 2 of Fr. Tom's reflection on the Pre-Santified Liturgy, he talks about a mis-guided practice from the previous centuries of denying the gifts to children or the mentally impaired.

In part 2 of Fr. Tom's reflections on the tumultuous 9th century, he talks about the missionary work of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and the controversies over language and control of the slavic nations.

Fr. Tom continues to comment on the events of the 9th century concentrating today on St. Photius the Great and his relationship to Rome and the Filioque.

Fr. Thomas digs deeper into the Great Schism and the issues that inhibit a unification with the Church of Rome.

In part 2, Fr. Tom reflects on the Bride, the Bridegroom, and the garments. Why was the man with no wedding garment cast out?

As the series on the structure and organization of the Church continues, Fr. Thomas reflects on the famous Council of Florence and the Orthodox participation and rejection of the Council.

This is part two of Fr. Tom's paper on what Orthodoxy would expect from Rome before communion would be restored.

Fr. Tom takes up his series on the bishops and structure of the Church and moves to the 19th Century fall of the Ottoman Empire.

Pres. Jeannie continues her analysis of how we study the Scriptures through the lens of the Fathers.

Pres. Jeannie continues her teaching on the Trials and Crucifixion of Jesus with today's episode divided into two parts for easier download. This is the first part with the second part above.

And this is the second half of part two on the Trials and Crucifixion of Jesus.

Jeannie continues her series on the trials and crucifixion of Jesus with part two of the Jewish trial.

And, here is the continuation of Jeannie's study of the Roman Trial of Jesus.