- Apr 30, 2013
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I used to go to an Orthodox church but now I'm Lutheran. What you describe happening in church sounds typical of Orthodox piety as I experienced it. It can be very heavy in its atmosphere.
Lutheranism is much more moderate. We do have some confession and penitence but we also have some laughs sometimes in church, children's sermons, and so forth, that gives church a different atmosphere. Sometimes people talk before church, and we always have a passing of the peace and people will greet each other. Plus, we don't take our own efforts at piety too seriously. I just find it more "human", while at the same time it is still somewhat reverent and orderly. We are there to receive the free gifts of God, and there is less emphasis on how we perform in church.
My orthodox priest I had was a well-meaning man but he simply didn't have alot of real human experiences outside of religion. Our pastors, on the other hand, typically enter the ordained ministry after some life experiences, and our church life is more focused on laity as the center. My pastor has worked as both a longshoreman and a lawyer and he's a well-rounded human being who is very approachable.
Lutheranism is much more moderate. We do have some confession and penitence but we also have some laughs sometimes in church, children's sermons, and so forth, that gives church a different atmosphere. Sometimes people talk before church, and we always have a passing of the peace and people will greet each other. Plus, we don't take our own efforts at piety too seriously. I just find it more "human", while at the same time it is still somewhat reverent and orderly. We are there to receive the free gifts of God, and there is less emphasis on how we perform in church.
My orthodox priest I had was a well-meaning man but he simply didn't have alot of real human experiences outside of religion. Our pastors, on the other hand, typically enter the ordained ministry after some life experiences, and our church life is more focused on laity as the center. My pastor has worked as both a longshoreman and a lawyer and he's a well-rounded human being who is very approachable.
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