Why am I here? What am I called to do with all of the gifts, talents, experiences, and abilities God has uniquely given to me? Where am I going in my life? Do I feel fully fulfilled, or do I sense that there may be something more for me than my current life’s work? In this episode, we focus on lay people who have answered the call and become Deacons in the Orthodox church. Enjoy the conversation as Bill speaks with Protodeacon Peter Danilchick and Deacon Noah Barry Hendricks.

While Orthodox Christians understand the place of the homily in the hierarchy of our Divine Liturgy, St. Paul was clear on the importance of homilies and sermons in 2nd Timothy 4:1: “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ…: Preach the Word! …Convince, rebuke, exhort….” On this episode, Bill Marianes and Fr. Barnabas Powell talk about the importance of effective preaching.

Bill Marianes’ special guest will be Metropolitan Gerasimos of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco. Bill and His Eminence review the results and impact of the Metropolis of San Francisco’s strategic plan. They also explore Metropolitan Gerasimos’ exciting vision for the future of the church

Tonight's Stewardship Calling on Ancient Faith Radio is the second in a 3-part series on some things we can do to have the most effective and impactful homilies and sermons from the perspectives of both those who preach them and those whom they reach. These programs are important and can be helpful to both laity and clergy alike. Bill's guest tonight is one of the greatest homilists - Fr. Nicholas Louh of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Jacksonville, FL.

Bill Marianes welcomes AFR Board Member Scott Davenport to his studio. Scott spent 25 years in the music industry with Island Def Jam and Geffen Records working with those famous artists and many more. Along the way he discovered his WHY and calling in the Orthodox Christian Church. He blends timeless biblical wisdom, and the early Church Fathers with gaming concepts used by youth today, to inspire them to take control of their lives and to be more intentional in every decision they make.

Bill Marianes provides a valuable and informative service for our listeners with this episode recorded in the midst of the Corona Virus. In the event of a pandemic or other disruptive crisis, there are at least 10 strategic areas where we as individuals, and our churches, can focus to address needs, live better lives and fulfill our mission and calling. This is a program every priest and parish council member should listen to and share.

Our “Men in Black” are shepherds who lead us to a better life here and now and in the hereafter. So, who is helping them and tending to their needs? Bill Marianes welcomes his special guests including Reverend Dr. Nicholas Louh and Presvytera Dr. Roxanne Louh as well as Dr. George Koulianos. Dr. Koulianos is an internationally recognized medical doctor helping to address specific Clergy needs as a part of the $1 million grant from the Lilly Foundation to the Center for Family Care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Metropolitan Gregory provides a one-of-a-kind, in-depth interview on a very special 5th Sunday Stewardship Calling.This amazingly inspirational Presiding Hierarch of the American Carpatho Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A. grew up in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and had a great previous career in cardiovascular research.

Bill's special guest was the always inspirational Fr. Luke Veronis, Proistamenos of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Webster, MA. This visionary leader, and his dynamic parish, accepted the Stewardship Calling Good and Faithful Servant Challenge as they celebrated their 100th anniversary.

There are well over 1 million Americans who classify themselves as Orthodox Christians. And while fundamental theological beliefs and practices are very similar, we do not always speak with one strong and unified voice. On top of that, our Orthodox Patriarchs identified a Canonical anomaly in the way Orthodoxy has evolved operationally in the United States. This led some of our distinguished Patriarchs to want to resolve this anomaly and address our lack of unity. The result was the formation of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops. Its stated mission is to preserve and contribute to the unity of the Orthodox Church, and its goals include: 1. promoting Church unity in the United States; 2. strengthening the common pastoral ministry to all the Orthodox faithful and a common witness to all those outside the church; and 3. the organization of the Orthodox Church according to Canonical tradition. Ten years after its formation, what do you know about the Assembly of Bishops and what this distinguished group of over 55 Orthodox Hierarchs are working on? Tonight's program is devoted to a more thorough examination of the Assembly’s accomplishments and plans. Bill's guests include Metropolitan Gregory of the American Carpatho Russian Orthodox Diocese and the current Secretary of the Assembly, Mark Arey its first Secretary, and Nicholas Anton its Director of Operations.

How willing are we to fully follow Christ’s clear instructions? That’s a tough question we all have to ask ourselves. Our Lord’s final direction was clear, concise and unequivocal: “Go and make disciples of ALL nations.” Period. Full stop. End of discussion! Bill's special guest is the dynamic and very experienced Orthodox Missions and Evangelism professional, Thomaida Hudanish, the Director of Missions and Evangelism for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco.

The story of St. Nicholas Shrine is one of many challenges, roadblocks, and setbacks. At the same time, it is also a chronicle of triumph over adversity, and of generosity and hope. By the grace of God, and due to the extraordinary stewardship of countless faithful people and organizations throughout the journey, construction is beginning again, and by the 9-11-21 20th anniversary, we hope to open the doors to welcome all in Christ’s redeeming love at what will likely become the most visited church in America. Join our spiritual, financial, operational, and construction leaders, Fr. Alex Karloutsos, Dennis Mehiel, Michael Psaros, and Richard Browne as they share the story of this incredible journey.

Bill Marianes welcomes Jim Huling, the primary author who wrote the #1 best-selling 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX), that best defines how to truly get things done more effectively and impactfully in any kind of organization. He shares with us these proven critical techniques. 4DX can even revolutionize the way you think about church strategic planning.

Join Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Archbishop Elpidophoros, Orthodox Church in America Chancellor Very Reverend Dr. Alexander Rentel, Antiochian Orthodox Church Archdiocese Chancellor Very Reverend Thomas Zain, and Bill Marianes for a very special HAGIA SOPHIA Stewardship Calling Ancient Faith Radio program. The discussion centers on the decision in Turkey to turn the historic cathedral into a mosque. For many more resources on this subject including specific things YOU can do visit the Stewardship Calling website.

Join Bill Marianes as he talks again with Wall Street Journal Business bestselling author Jim Huling, one of the co-authors of The 4 Disciplines of Execution. They discuss how each of us can find answers to the questions, “Why are you here on this Earth?” and “What is the Purpose of Your Life?” and explore several specific successful models to discover your specific calling, purpose, and WHY in order to answer those questions.

Learn how to inspire the youth and emerging adults in your communities and families to find great meaning and purpose in serving others through their churches from inspirational millennials doing just that. Hear from the amazing Alyssa and Niko Kyritsis who are each doing great things to help bring people closer to Christ and each other.

No one has escaped this unprecedented combination of horribly disruptive crises. Some believe that, from now on, "2020" will be used to describe something messed up or bad (e.g., "Sorry you're experiencing a 2020"). However, this year has also allowed us to have 2020 “perfect” vision about many things. 2020 vision is the gold standard of absolute clarity of what is both near and far. Host Bill Marianes discusses 3 practical, proven, and theologically supported things you can do right now in your life to make it better.

Bill introduces you to the amazingly talented and gifted Sarah Kroger. Sarah is a Christian singer/songwriter who has been leading worship services at a wide range of local, national, and international events for the past nine years. Her stewardship calling is to create a safe and prayerful space through her music in which people can encounter the love of God.

Bill interviews a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and faithful Orthodox Christian, Chris Hillman. Hear Chris share his amazing story in his own words, including his journey to Orthodox Christianity and his fantastic 40+ year marriage to Connie Pappas Hillman, a dedicated Orthodox Christian and storied music industry professional in her own right.

Bill interviews Bishop Daniel Findikyan about the Armenian Church and the Eastern Diocese’s “Building Up the Body of Christ” vision.

How did 2020 change or affect your life? What did you learn? How did you cope? These are just a few of the many questions that Bill fields on the first episode of Stewardship Calling of the new year.

A Teacher informs, a Preacher inspires, but a Reacher actually transforms. How powerful it is when what you communicate reaches someone so effectively that it inspires them to change their behavior and take action. As it turns out, there are some concrete and proven things our clergy, laity, and parishes can do to communicate far more effectively using lessons learned from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and current best practices based on sound research. Bill Marianes of Stewardship Calling presents the empirical research to help everyone communicate better using the 3 Ks, the 3 Ps, and the 3 As

Professional communicator, Ken Futch, is a National Speakers Association Hall of Fame member and speaker and homily coach with over 35 years of experience. He offers practical ideas to help both clergy and laity improve all of their communications skills. Ken is one of the most engaging and inspiring presenters who has been in high demand throughout the country for decades. He is the author of the enjoyable and helpful book Take Your Best Shot.

Many people are systematically allowing themselves and their children to become more depressed and addicted to dopamine through social media and smart phone use. These two, highly-addictive and codependent tools have been proven to magnify a sense of loneliness, inadequacy, despair, and helplessness as we are swept into an "attention economy." Church social media guru Fr. Barnabas Powell and Bill Marianes will review the data on social media dopamine addiction and discuss effective strategies you, your churches, and families can use as we explore how to use social media positively and focus on WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) with the power of social media.

Our unwillingness to have productive difficult conversations and deal with conflict is at the root of so many issues in our churches, ministries, and lives. This week on Stewardship Calling, Bill and his guest Dr. Mitch Owen will tackle these critical issues. Dr. Owen is the creator of the Elusive Leadership Model for high-performance teams. He is also professionally certified and administers many assessment instruments for professional development, executive coaching, management training, team effectiveness and organization development. Dr. Owen has decades of experience addressing conflict in non-profit organizations, helping them become more effective and collegial, and guiding their leaders to perform at higher levels of excellence. He and Bill explore how and why these issues arise, and we will share specific and helpful strategies and solutions to these challenges. Listen for Part 2 on May 5, 2021.

In Part 2 of their series on difficult conversations, Dr. Mitch Owen and Bill Marianes delve more deeply into some successful strategies and examples of how to have increasingly productive difficult conversations.

Part 3: The Journey Through Death To The Resurrection – Fr. George L. Livanos

Part 1: The Journey Through Life In Search Of Calling – Fr. George L. Livanos

Part 2: The Moment After – The Clarity of Vision From The Partner’s Perspective – Presvytera Dianthe Livanos

Part 4: The Brother's Perspective - Fr. John Touloumes and Dr. Nicholas Loutsion

How can a Supreme Court Chief Justice simultaneously fulfill his oath to uphold the law, honor his deeply held Christian beliefs, and achieve his commitment to improve the world? Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, The Honorable Harold D. Melton, will talk with Bill Marianes about his path to living his calling and his faith. He will provide unique insights on serving our calling while achieving excellence in our chosen vocation.

Over Labor Day weekend, Phoenix, Arizona, will host Orthodox young adults from all over who'll gather for fellowship, a service project, and the chance to stretch themselves to better live and EXCLAIM their Orthodox faith. To discuss this great event, and share their own inspiring stories, Bill will interview Judge Steven Counelis and George Anagnostopoulos. These enthusiastic visionaries represent the amazing Young Adult League committee that organized this unique and extraordinary event.

Do you want to rediscover your reason for living, the person you were created to be? Renewing You: A Priest, a Psychologist, and a Plan by Fr. Nicholas and Dr. Roxanne Louh gives you the keys to unlock areas of your life that hold you back from experiencing the renewal and transformation God has in mind for you. Join Bill Marianes to go “Live With The Louhs” and learn how faith and psychology join forces to provide you with the type of inward reflection that leads to lasting outward transformation

The Hebrew word "paw-rah" means "to perish." It was used in biblical proverbs about hair allowed to flow unconstrained in the wind; it means to be blown in all directions. Without intention, an Orthodox Christian parish can be with no clear direction, though Christ taught us how to create a clear and purposeful vision and inspire the faithful to journey toward His salvific love. Bill Marianes will broadcast live from the strategic planning retreat hosted by St. Nicholas Orthodox Church of Grand Rapids and led by Fr. Michael Nasser and Dr. Sam Bander. Fr. Michael and Sam will share their strategic planning process, real-time results, and how this voyage and positively transform a parish and community.

“Go and make Disciples” was our Lord’s clear instruction, an at the end of His parable where the Good Samaritan helped an injured Jewish stranger, He advised us to “Go and do likewise” and help our brothers and sisters in need. So how can we do that critical work in our lives and our communities? We will explore practical ideas you and your Parish can implement to answer this critical question with Fr. John Kocolas, the Proistamenos at Nativity of Christ Orthodox Church in Novato, California. Nativity of Christ’s Community Outreach Ministry does so much to help so many. Join us for a discussion of creative ways you and your Parish can “go and do likewise.” Call in to share ways you and your parish make disciples and serve others.

When you are asked about what your church believes, how do you answer? What is your level of understanding of the Orthodox Christian Faith? If salvation is not only a gift we cannot earn, but something we must live out as Christ taught, what is one valuable resource we can use to learn what our Faith teaches and why? How can we learn to better share the “εὐαγγέλιον,” the “good news” of Christ and the Orthodox Christian Church? A Basic Guide to Eastern Orthodox Theology is just such an invaluable resource that can inform our understanding of the Church inaugurated at Pentecost in 33 A.D. Dr. Eve (Paraskevè) Tibbs, an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary, will join me to discuss her valuable book and help us all learn more about Orthodox Christianity as we seek answers to our most critical questions.

Ancient Faith Radio and Bill Marianes were honored to be present at the recent meeting of the Assembly of Bishops. This week, here Bill's interviews with Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, Metropolitan Joseph of the Antiochian Archdiocese, Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America, Serbian Orthodox Bishop Irinej of Eastern America, Metropolitan Methodios of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, Archbishop Daniel of the Ukranian Orthodox Church of the USA, and Metropolitan Savas of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh

Hear a personal testimonial from a surprising beggar, and learn from four dedicated Orthodox Christians who are making a difference in this mission field: Fr. Justin Mathews of Reconciliation Services, Chrysanthe Loizos of St. Herman House - FOCUS Cleveland, trauma counselor Jennifer Hertberg, and Dorrie Papademitriou of MudGirls Studios

On December 1st, the United States Supreme Court will hear Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. This Mississippi case could overturn, refine, or re-affirm Roe v. Wade and Casey v. Planned Parenthood. Join Bill Marianes live with three special guests to discuss theological, legal, outreach, and ministry perspectives on this important event

Join Bill Marianes for a conversation with the leaders of Orthodox Volunteer Corps, the newest Approved Agency of the Assembly of Bishops. OVC leaders, Michael Sider-Rose and Kyra Limberakis, will share the exciting story of this transformational agency and help you understand how your youth and young adults can prepare for a lifetime through a year of service.Prepare

In part 1 of a 2-part series, Bill presents the empirical data about our current church challenges, how some Christians overcame these issues and built strong church communities, and the 6 primary root cause areas where our parishes are suffering

In Part 2 of this series, Bill provides proven insights, strategies, and solutions from the “Jobs To Be Done” and “Disruptive Innovation” theories developed by Harvard professor Dr. Clayton Christensen. We will also begin to explore an excellent parish assessment that can help diagnose the most critical parish comorbidities and provide solutions

As the world watches the crisis in Ukraine unfold, Bill Marianes speaks with Their Eminences Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel Zelinsky about the humanitarian needs of the Ukrainian people and our common prayer for peace. The First 90 minutes of this podcast you have a wonderful opportunity to get to know the hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. The last half hour you will hear information on how to pray for and support the suffering people of Ukraine.and about the current war. Click HERE to support the crisis and refugees of Ukraine.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects an estimated 1 in 44 children in the United States. ASD can create challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. After her son Michael was diagnosed with ASD, Dr. Lisa Liberatore and her husband Dr. Dimitri Kessaris formed LUV Michael, a pioneering nonprofit ministry that transforms the lives of those with ASD. We will speak with Lisa Liberatore and Mark Bondi about their innovative LUV Michael organic granola products enterprise that employs the autistic population, their U.S. Autism Homes housing initiative, and other autism advocacy. LUV Michael is a unique ministry opportunity for you and your parish to help create meaningful work for autistic adults, learn about autism, and advocate for autism acceptance

When you or a loved one become seriously ill, even terminally ill, how do you respond? What you do next is critical. You have been called by your Creator. You have a Stewardship Calling – something you need to do with the gifts over which God made you a steward. But how do we live that calling in in the fce of serious illness or death? Join Bill as he speaks with faithful Orthodox Christians Rip Kastaris, Tracy Namee, and Nikki Bober. They'll explore how those with major heart disease, cancer, and other serious illness diagnoses can continue to live their Stewardship Calling.

This week, Bill speaks with Matushka Trudi Richter and Presvytera Dianthe Livanos about how we continue to live our Stewardship Callings after our loved ones pass on to the kingdom eternal. If you or someone you love is seriously ill, or if you have experienced the death of a loved one, and you are wondering why and how you will carry on, then this conversation is for you. This is part two with Bill speaking with Presbytera Dianthe Livanos.

This week, Bill speaks with Matushka Trudi Richter and Presvytera Dianthe Livanos about how we continue to live our Stewardship Callings after our loved ones pass on to the kingdom eternal. If you or someone you love is seriously ill, or if you have experienced the death of a loved one, and you are wondering why and how you will carry on, then this conversation is for you. In part three, Bill with his guests Mat. Trudi and Presv. Dianthe reflect together on the topic.

This week, Bill speaks with Matushka Trudi Richter and Presvytera Dianthe Livanos about how we continue to live our Stewardship Callings after our loved ones pass on to the kingdom eternal. If you or someone you love is seriously ill, or if you have experienced the death of a loved one, and you are wondering why and how you will carry on, then this conversation is for you. This is a three part program and part one features the interview with Mat. Trudi Richter.