Examples of Coverage by
Omega News Services:

Archbishop Tutu's Visit to the University of South
Florida

Miss Florida USA 2004
Photo Coverage

The Privileged Planet:
A Review of the Documentary

"Side Effects" The Making
of a Movie

Walk the Path of Passion:
A Christian View of
Jesus' Last Days

The Black Death
of the 21st Century

Suncoast Writers Conference: Images

Suncoast Writers
Conference: Review

Disaster Relief Efforts by
Christians after Hurricane Charley

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Johnny, dear Johnny, what are we to do with you? We pay for this expensive Harvard Law quality education in Antioch, and what do you decide to do? You become a Bible-thumping, quasi-asetic, where the only women you spend real time are called Laura. You have filled your brain with 300 year old Hebraic and Greek texts. At least you left the mountains—it was about time—your health was bad, you have all that ancient text memorized, and Antioch may need your help with its runaway materialism. But, now what? A deacon: what kind of role is that for you, our well-educated, single, and skinny son. Deacons are not even permitted to write prayers, they can't preach, and must do what ever the bishop orders. Policing the unbaptized and flagrant sinners at communion time? We did not send you school for that.

We know you have written a lot—St. Babylas on dead saints, Christ's Divinity on defeating the pagans, Contrition on obedience, Works on Marriage about celibacy/marriage equality (what happened to that Laura we heard you talking about?), and that big long one, Against the Enemies of Monasticism. If you had all this time to write as a deacon, why didn't you write something with some fiscal value?

We understand that you became a priest at 35. Okay, that is wonderful, and we hear that your preaching without notes or reading a text enthralled your congregation. Good, but did you have to be so tactless about those heresies—not all heretics are bad, and many are rich, my son. We admired your handling of the tax problem and the resulting vandalism—especially Theodosius' decision not to decimate Antioch. Even we left for our cabin in the secluded hills of North Carolina; you stayed. We guess your congregation will really take you seriously now!

But what is this business about refusing to entertain the Grahams and the Bushs when they came through Constantinople? They expect suites, not Motel 8. You may be the bishop, but you sold church property to build hospitals, and one for lepers no less??!! What were you thinking, Johnny? And then, we understand, you went out and defrocked the clergy whose parents had given them their positions. What if we defrocked you for not following a career in the law? We also understand you waste your time preaching to little churches—stick with First Baptist of Haggia Sophia; that's where the power is. Johnny, oh Johnny. Now you're in exile being dragged around. We're worried that you may die of exhaustion.

—Breaking News: The former patriarch of Constantinople, John Chrysostom, was found dead under police care. Religious and government leaders are calling for an investigation.

Now the "facts" have been reviewed, it is easier to see where John Chrysostom is, and is not, a good model for today's pastors. Speaking positively, Bishop Chrysostom was forthright—when there was heresy, he acted fast, and with diligence. Caring little for social approval, he sought and practiced a holy life. And, in terms of social conscience, all our pastors could learn from him. When there are hungry in the church, why are the rich holding on to their checkbooks as if they were genuine relics from the 4^th century. He was commendably sensitive to the cult of personality in Christian service. He not only was concerned about heresy, he also acted on that by sending missionaries to Gaul to combat Arianism (unruly Arian Gauls!).

Negatively speaking, Bishop Chrysostom was forthright—when there was heresy, he acted perhaps too fast, and with tactless diligence. Caring little for social approval, he sought and practiced a threatening holy life, especially to the make-believers in Constantinople. There is a time to fire clergy, but there is also time to heal (consider the relational healing of John Mark and Paul). While the rich can be a pain, particularly when they pretend there are no hungry people nearby, they too are worthy of a pastor's care and love. John Chrysostom perhaps forgot the lovely Scripture that Paul wrote to Timothy—encourage, do not destroy, but build.

If a pastor has a Eudoxia in his congregation, the pulpit is not the place to handle that problem. Spend time with Eudoxia, one on one, with the door open. Just because she is the wife of the emperor does not mean she should not be given the same help you would give those with low social standing.

Thus, the fundamental lessons from John Chrysostom's tenure are mixed. Speak from the heart yes, but lubricate your speech with tact not tacky holier than thou acts. Remember the poor, but do not forget the rich—they are in need of Christ's redemption just as much, if not more than the poor. Get real—the church is made of people and people are political/social creatures. If you can not handle "politics," then you need to get out of the people business, and part of being a good, and a righteous, pastor is managing people—Jesus called it shepherding. Finally, trust the Scriptures—when you preach from them, Holy Spirit is your power, your counselor, your exegetical microphone into the hearts of men. Use God and he will use you.