His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios Convenes the First Meeting of the Steering Committee for the New Emerging Leaders Ministry.

Brookline, MA:  On Thursday, June 21, 2012, His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios convened the first meeting of the Steering Committee for the new Emerging Leaders Ministry.  The Metropolis of Boston recently received a grant from Leadership 100 to launch an Emerging Leaders Ministry, a two-year program to be piloted in the Metropolis and to serve as a prototype for replication throughout the Archdiocese of America.

The Emerging Leaders Ministry is targeted to establish a Contemporary Professionals Ministry Program, which will include a Parish Outreach and Leadership Training Program, and a Metropolis Mentoring Program.  During the meeting, the Emerging Leaders Ministry Steering Committee discussed program components and identified the steps needed to initiate this ministry. The committee also established four working groups that provide the framework for implementing the Metropolis of Boston Emerging Leaders Ministry.  Committees include: Outreach/Networking; Education; Research; and Organizational Structure.

The Metropolis of Boston is collaborating with the Faculty of Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology as well as several Directors of our Archdiocese Departments such as Internet Ministries, Religious Education, Youth and Young Adults, Office of Parish Development, and the Department of Outreach and Evangelism for the development and implementation of this Ministry.

The primary goal of the Emerging Leaders Ministry is to design a ministry that engages contemporary professionals in the life and leadership of the Church towards their own personal growth in the Faith and in their walk with Christ.   The vision for the Emerging Leaders Ministry is to serve as a prototype to address the important parish need to train parish leaders in outreach, and to create the environment that builds a cadre of new Church leaders to serve their communities.  This will offer college and graduate students, seminarians, and young adults the unique opportunity to learn side-by-side with pastoral and professional mentors to more fully understand service and the life of the Church; and to establish  strategies and activities to respond to contemporary professionals who seek to engage more actively with the Church and connect with their peers.

Members of the Steering Committee appointed by Metropolitan Methodios include:   

Kosta Alexis, Fr. Bob Archon, Stamati Astra, Fr. Theodore J. Barbas, Drake Behrakis, Ann Bezzerides, Fr. Alex Chetsas, Fr. Tom Chininis, Fr. Greg Christakos, Fr. Demetri Costarakis, Ted Demetriades, Dr. John Fotopoulos, Fr. Christopher Foustoukos, Fr. Peter Giannakopoulos, Eleni Kalioras, Costa Karageorgis, Christine Karavites, John Karolemeas, Dr. Demetrios Katos, Fr. Panteleimon Klostri, Fr. James Kordaris, George Lamberis, Alex Magdalinos, Fr. Christopher Makiej, Dr. Philip Mamalakis, Yanni Michaelidis, Jerry Minetos, Fr. Philippe Mousis, Fr. Athanasios Nenes, Fr. Makarios Niakaros, Theo Nicolakis, Fr. Dean Panagos, Dr. Aristotle Papanikolaou, Mario Papathanasiou, Melanie Pappas, Dr. Timothy Patitsas, Jonathan Resmini, 
Ann Robinson, Fr. Jason Roll, Michael Sintros, Dr. James Skedros, Theodore Speros, Fr. Christopher Stamas, Dr. George Stavros, George Stefanides, Stephen Sterpis, Fr. Nathaneal Symeonides, Fr. Ted Toppses, Chrysanthe Tiggas, Julie Tziolas, Fr. Luke Veronis, Eleni Vidalis, Dr. Tony Vrame.

His Eminence will continue to appoint members to the Committee as the various stages of the development of this Emerging Leaders Ministry progress.  Nine district leadership seminars to be held at Parishes throughout New England are being planned to begin in the fall to address the scope and vision of this new ministry initiative.  Those who are interested in being involved in the planning and development of this crucial ministry are welcome to communicate with the Chancellor’s Office of the Metropolis of Boston.