Page 206 - THE ARMENIAN CHURCH_Neat

Challenges and Priorities 207

rejects the old. We should determine which
elements of Christian faith and which
practices and expressions of Christian life
have become obsolete and seek to make them
relevant and responsive to Christian life
today. The Apostle Paul recommends that we
"hold fast to the traditions" (1 Cor. 11:2). In-
deed, traditions are essential; they ensure
the continuity, identity, and integrity of the
Church. But traditions become outdated and
irrelevant if they are not constantly reas-
sessed and renewed and taken to the
existential life of the people. The Armenian
Church must come out of its self-contained
existence and institutional captivity and, as a
people-oriented mission of faith, consider
most seriously the critical issues and con-
cerns impacting the life of its faithful.
Renewal should not be perceived as refor-
mation in the narrow sense of the word,
dealing only with specific aspects of the
Church. It must touch all areas and expres-
sions of the Church. It must be an action-
oriented, dynamic, and creative reflection
process, engaging the clergy and people from
all walks of life. Only through such an all-
embracing and collective effort will the Ar-
menian Church be able to achieve a serious
renewal and make a difference in the life of
our people.