Outreach to evangelicals

[Nick Moser]

Well I don't know much about theology history or scripture however I have a older Vietnam veteran Christian friend who is an evangelical. He's extremely low church and doesn't even attend services because he feels disillusioned by the fact that these churches preach to the pulpit but seem to do nothing about the millions of infanticides that occur daily. I was wondering how can I get a more interested in Orthodoxy and perhaps not view Church authority with a negative connotation.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

One thing that post reformation traditions are lacking is a deep spiritual connection with the trinity God. Depending on where they are taught, even the trinity can seem like a vague teaching with no way to apply in every day life.

If you can help improve your friend's prayer life, that might pique their interest.

 

[bèlla]

I think it’s important to remember why certain paths appeal to us. Consider your own with orthodoxy. Evangelicalism is nearly opposite and I don’t mean that in a negative way. These are the same people who debate modern christian songs over hymns in the service. Many are traditionalists to some degree and orthodoxy may be well beyond his comfort zone. While I’m no longer in the fold I’ve attended three well-known churches of that makeup. Including Moody. There’s an Orthodox church in the vicinity and no one ever mentioned involvement or attendance. And that’s probably due to its foreignness from their perspective.

Look at our political system as well and who supports it. While it doesn’t speak for all it’s an accurate depiction of the things some value or prioritize. I share that so you’re not disappointed if he doesn’t respond in the way you’d hope. That doesn’t negate your prayers or ministry or the concern you’ve shown and that’s equally important. And for what it’s worth, my daughter visited the church one Sunday and shared her experience. She came home reeking of incense and enjoyed the service although she didn’t understand what was said.

It’s a big leap between the two and you’d have to be certain you’re willing to put in the time and effort to learn the teachings and the language. I opened with the tidbit on hymns for that reason. There’s a narrowness within the fold that isn’t open to change and prizes tradition. Whatever occurs, God bless you for your kindness.

~bella

 

[Lukaris]

I think it’s important to remember why certain paths appeal to us. Consider your own with orthodoxy. Evangelicalism is nearly opposite and I don’t mean that in a negative way. These are the same people who debate modern christian songs over hymns in the service. Many are traditionalists to some degree and orthodoxy may be well beyond his comfort zone. While I’m no longer in the fold I’ve attended three well-known churches of that makeup. Including Moody. There’s an Orthodox church in the vicinity and no one ever mentioned involvement or attendance. And that’s probably due to its foreignness from their perspective.

Look at our political system as well and who supports it. While it doesn’t speak for all it’s an accurate depiction of the things some value or prioritize. I share that so you’re not disappointed if he doesn’t respond in the way you’d hope. That doesn’t negate your prayers or ministry or the concern you’ve shown and that’s equally important. And for what it’s worth, my daughter visited the church one Sunday and shared her experience. She came home reeking of incense and enjoyed the service although she didn’t understand what was said.

It’s a big leap between the two and you’d have to be certain you’re willing to put in the time and effort to learn the teachings and the language. I opened with the tidbit on hymns for that reason. There’s a narrowness within the fold that isn’t open to change and prizes tradition. Whatever occurs, God bless you for your kindness.

~bella

Orthodox parishes in America vary with much depending on how old a parish is. Most older parishes assimilated and express the faith in English although some do not. With new parishes, it depends on whether an immigrant or American founded mission community. We need to do better of course in getting our message known of course.

Sometimes a mix of language occurs in the liturgy of varying degree & intervals. Our (Syrian founded in the 1890s)Antiochian Orthodox parish frequently does this with English & (mostly) Arabic. We try to maintain a balance for interested non Orthodox Americans and also for new immigrant Arabic Christians.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Well I don't know much about theology history or scripture however I have an older Vietnam veteran Christian friend who is an evangelical. He's extremely low church and doesn't even attend services because he feels disillusioned by the fact that these churches preach to the pulpit but seem to do nothing about the millions of infanticides that occur daily. I was wondering how can I get a more interested in Orthodoxy and perhaps not view Church authority with a negative connotation.

show him our presence at the March For Life, our protests outside of abortion clinics, etc.

 

[Nick Moser]

God bless and thank you everyone for your input. I forgot to mention that there is not an Orthodox Church in my town but there are plenty of Protestant churches at Catholic church. Additionally there are nonChristian religious facilities, two Mormon temple, one Jehovah's witness kingdom Hall, and one bahai temple(although I don't think anyone attends I ever seen their presents beyond wooden sign)

 

[The Liturgist]

God bless and thank you everyone for your input. I forgot to mention that there is not an Orthodox Church in my town but there are plenty of Protestant churches at Catholic church. Additionally there are nonChristian religious facilities, two Mormon temple, one Jehovah's witness kingdom Hall, and one bahai temple(although I don't think anyone attends I ever seen their presents beyond wooden sign)

Well if you could PM myself the name of the town, one hobby of mine us collecting the identities of remaining towns outside the reach of the Church so as to help rectify it. As the mainline Protestant churches go out of business, and especially the heretical Christian Science cult (good riddance), we can expand, and I have designs on several of their buildings.

By the way the “mother church” of Christian Science was built in a Byzantine Revival style and would make a lovely Cathedral of the Dormition. I also want to turn the Blue Mosque into a Convent of the Dormition, since it’s blue, afterall, and has a cloister-like structure, once we convert the Turks, since we don’t need a second cathedral across the plaza from Hagia Sophia, but its prime real estate for a convent to support the cathedral and provide a secondary church, like the monasteries in the Kremlin.

And we will convert the Turks.

 

[Nick Moser]

Well if you could PM myself the name of the town, one hobby of mine us collecting the identities of remaining towns outside the reach of the Church so as to help rectify it. As the mainline Protestant churches go out of business, and especially the heretical Christian Science cult (good riddance), we can expand, and I have designs on several of their buildings.

By the way the “mother church” of Christian Science was built in a Byzantine Revival style and would make a lovely Cathedral of the Dormition. I also want to turn the Blue Mosque into a Convent of the Dormition, since it’s blue, afterall, and has a cloister-like structure, once we convert the Turks, since we don’t need a second cathedral across the plaza from Hagia Sophia, but its prime real estate for a convent to support the cathedral and provide a secondary church, like the monasteries in the Kremlin.

And we will convert the Turks.

Fallon Nevada in Churchill county