2023 Parish Development Forum 

1:00 PM EDT Thursday July 13 2023 thru Noon July 15

For Orthodox clergy and laity the Parish Development Forum is a conference which provides an opportunity for discussion of timely topics and discovery of practices used by healthy, vibrant Orthodox parishes.

Co-sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania, Midwest, and the Bulgarian Dioceses of the Orthodox Church in America, the 2023 Forum will be a 2-1/2 day in-person only conference held at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Parma, Ohio 44134.

Theme: Our Parish and the Future 

At the tenth Forum attendees will face forward -- actively considering what it will take to build a brighter parish future.  Attendees will collaborate on The 2030 Project -- a set of structured, facilitated discussions designed to share experiences and identify the key behaviors, skills and "new muscles" parishes will need to thrive amidst future societal, cultural, demographic and technological trends.  In depth discussions will include:

• Healthy Clergy-Laity Dynamics,  
• Attracting and Integrating Converts intoYour Parish/Sharing the Faith
  
• Connecting Your Parish to the Neighbrhood Community.   
  

• Key Trends Influencing the Future for Christian Communitiesin N. America" Scott Thumma,  Hartford Institute of Religion Research
• Personal Purpose: A Primary Ingredient for Leadership  Fr. Adam Roberts; Antiochian Orthodox Church; St Athanasius College)
• Effective Christian Ministry: Meeting the Needs of Young People Today  Steve Christoforou  FOCUS NA

Space is Limited

To maintain an intimate setting for thoughtful exchange among attendees the 2023 Forum attendance will be limited to 100 persons.  There will be no live streamnig of the Forum sessions.

Sponsoring Diocese Attendees

Attendees from sponsoring OCA Dioceses (Western PA, Midwest and Bulgarian Dioceses) will be eligible for a refund of the equivalent of an early bird registration fee ($75) after Forum attendance.

Cancellation

Cancellations received before July 7 will be eligible for a $75 refund. No refunds offered after July 7.