How far are you willing to drive to your denomination of choice?

[gurneyhalleck1]

Great anwers so far. I hope more people share. Many people tell me I sound more like an Eastern Orthodox in my theology and often I reply, “shoot, the nearest Orthodox parishes are an hour from here!” I hear a lot of people talking about distance issues and I think convenience, unfortunately, plays a certain role along with feasibility with kids and family, etc.

 

[rev_kevin]

I drive about 10 min. to my church. Now there Baptist churches within 2 min from my house. From my church there are several Baptist churches within 1-5 min. There are some that are next door to eachother. There are about 10 churches (different denominations) within 2-10 min. from my house. It seem like there is a church at every corner.

 

[jessep28]

I drive about 9 miles to my Lutheran church even though there are 3 around me that are much closer, two being more confessional in nature. Once I get fed up with my church’s megachurch culture, I will probably switch.

Probably the most I would drive is an hour each way.

 

[CMatt25]

Great anwers so far. I hope more people share. Many people tell me I sound more like an Eastern Orthodox in my theology and often I reply, “shoot, the nearest Orthodox parishes are an hour from here!” I hear a lot of people talking about distance issues and I think convenience, unfortunately, plays a certain role along with feasibility with kids and family, etc.

Gurney, yeah I’ve been told I sound more like TEC. So what about you? How far do you drive to one of our Catholic churches?

 

[blazerdave]

I drive about 10 min. to my church. Now there Baptist churches within 2 min from my house. From my church there are several Baptist churches within 1-5 min. There are some that are next door to eachother. There are about 10 churches (different denominations) within 2-10 min. from my house. It seem like there is a church at every corner.

That is one of the nice things about the South. We do have churches all over the place.

 

[Hesychios]

My last Orthodox parish took almost an hour by automobile to reach through the city. There were several closer Orthodox parishes (some along the way), but I went to the cathedral, which come to think of it wasn’t really necessary. If there were no parishes at all in between I would have to say at least one hour, and then perhaps more

Reflecting further on this I think that if I had a car of my own right now with a comfortable seat 75 minutes each way would be acceptable, I had a friend who drove that far to go to Divine liturgy at an Eastern Catholic parish (I introduced him to it), and I routinely drove that far each way for work in Chicagoland for many years, so I would be ashamed not to do the same or more for God if it were my only option.

Today, the only sacramental Apostolic church available to me is actually a Catholic parish, in the CCPA. Should I choose to attend it would require an hour bus ride across town. Other than that I guess an overnight ferry ride to South Korea would be the closest Orthodox parish, and that is just not feasible. It now seems to me quite a remarkable situation and blessing I once had, to be able to choose the best church perceived for one’s spiritual growth and to be able to drive past any others without any further thought given. I really took all of that for granted at the time, it has been a humbling experience to learn how spoiled I was.

 

[callmecharles]

Good question. Exploring Catholicism and the nearest Catholic church is like forty-five minutes away. At least that much, I guess. I like to drive, and could easily go an hour and a half.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Hey Matt,

My nearest Catholic parish is about four miles from me and takes about 8 minutes to get to. But I HATE my Catholic parish. Always have. The other Catholic parish is in the ghetto/barrio, and when an Anglo white guy goes in there, he’s gawked-at, the songs are often in Spanish even at English Masses, and the crying babies wailing and screaming as well as the gang bangers in the parking lot are not an incentive for me. In the few neighboring towns we have it’s the same type of nonsense. I don’t like this diocese, can’t stand my bishop, and I am generally burned out on the whole thing.

I’ve had a lot of people tell me that my theology, my beliefs, my opinions, sound Orthodox and that I should go Orthodox. There are Serbian and Greek Orthodox parishes up in Fresno, about one hour from my home. There is a Coptic Orthodox parish in my town only about 4 miles away BUT it’s all Egyptians and arabs and we’d really feel uncomfortable being the only Anglos in there LOL…It’s not a racial thing, it’s just the idea of sticking out like a sore thumb, having no real ties or relationship to the environment around us, and all the celebrations and fellowship is mostly not in English. I’m not a big mutton and lamb fan LOL…

My wife said she’d totally be willing to drive up to Fresno but I don’t know…she’s more fed up with where we are even than I am!!

Gurney, yeah I’ve been told I sound more like TEC. So what about you? How far do you drive to one of our Catholic churches?

 

[CMatt25]

Hey Matt,

My nearest Catholic parish is about four miles from me and takes about 8 minutes to get to. But I HATE my Catholic parish. Always have. The other Catholic parish is in the ghetto/barrio, and when an Anglo white guy goes in there, he’s gawked-at, the songs are often in Spanish even at English Masses, and the crying babies wailing and screaming as well as the gang bangers in the parking lot are not an incentive for me. In the few neighboring towns we have it’s the same type of nonsense. I don’t like this diocese, can’t stand my bishop, and I am generally burned out on the whole thing.

I’ve had a lot of people tell me that my theology, my beliefs, my opinions, sound Orthodox and that I should go Orthodox. There are Serbian and Greek Orthodox parishes up in Fresno, about one hour from my home. There is a Coptic Orthodox parish in my town only about 4 miles away BUT it’s all Egyptians and arabs and we’d really feel uncomfortable being the only Anglos in there LOL…It’s not a racial thing, it’s just the idea of sticking out like a sore thumb, having no real ties or relationship to the environment around us, and all the celebrations and fellowship is mostly not in English. I’m not a big mutton and lamb fan LOL…

My wife said she’d totally be willing to drive up to Fresno but I don’t know…she’s more fed up with where we are even than I am!!

Well yeah Gurney I get burned out sometimes too. So I hear ya. Just keep praying about it and keep your heart open to God’s Spirit, He will tell you where He wants you to be. In the meantime know you can’t stand the Dodgers but the Angels and Giants are only 1GB and the Pads are in first! Peace.

 

[CMatt25]

oops 4got about the A’s. 2many teams out there!

 

[SSTeacher]

Hey Matt,

My nearest Catholic parish is about four miles from me and takes about 8 minutes to get to. But I HATE my Catholic parish. Always have. The other Catholic parish is in the ghetto/barrio, and when an Anglo white guy goes in there, he’s gawked-at, the songs are often in Spanish even at English Masses, and the crying babies wailing and screaming as well as the gang bangers in the parking lot are not an incentive for me. In the few neighboring towns we have it’s the same type of nonsense. I don’t like this diocese, can’t stand my bishop, and I am generally burned out on the whole thing.

I’ve had a lot of people tell me that my theology, my beliefs, my opinions, sound Orthodox and that I should go Orthodox. There are Serbian and Greek Orthodox parishes up in Fresno, about one hour from my home. There is a Coptic Orthodox parish in my town only about 4 miles away BUT it’s all Egyptians and arabs and we’d really feel uncomfortable being the only Anglos in there LOL…It’s not a racial thing, it’s just the idea of sticking out like a sore thumb, having no real ties or relationship to the environment around us, and all the celebrations and fellowship is mostly not in English. I’m not a big mutton and lamb fan LOL…

My wife said she’d totally be willing to drive up to Fresno but I don’t know…she’s more fed up with where we are even than I am!!

I suppose you might think you’d feel out of place but that might not prove to be the case. Why don’t you visit the Coptic Orthodox church by yourself this coming Sunday and then report back home? If you are made to feel very unwelcome and you really do feel uncomfortable and out of place you won’t have lost anything and you and your wife can then move on to consider your other options. Moreover, you’d have a story to tell (which you could post on this thread). I’d be interested in hearing how you fared. I daresay every other poster on this thread would be interested as well. Go on – why not? I dare you. :bounce:

Any other poster on this thread care to second this emotion?

Daringly,
Mick

 

[dzheremi]

I suppose you might think you’d feel out of place but that might not prove to be the case. Why don’t you visit the Coptic Orthodox church by yourself this coming Sunday and then report back home? If you are made to feel very unwelcome and you really do feel uncomfortable and out of place you won’t have lost anything and you and your wife can then move on to consider your other options. Moreover, you’d have a story to tell (which you could post on this thread). I’d be interested in hearing how you fared. I daresay every other poster on this thread would be interested as well. Go on – why not? I dare you. :bounce:

Any other poster on this thread care to second this emotion?

Daringly,
Mick

Seconded with gusto here, Mick. Granted, I am biased by my own intense interest in the Coptic Church, but even outside of that it never hurts to take a look at how other Christians live.

I don’t know any Copts personally, but I know many other Middle Eastern Christians (Maronites, Palestinian Greek-Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, Armenians, etc), and have always felt very warmly received by all of them, especially when inquiring about their churches. It’s nice to know that other people are interested in your heritage and culture, you know?

 

[CMatt25]

I suppose you might think you’d feel out of place but that might not prove to be the case. Why don’t you visit the Coptic Orthodox church by yourself this coming Sunday and then report back home? If you are made to feel very unwelcome and you really do feel uncomfortable and out of place you won’t have lost anything and you and your wife can then move on to consider your other options. Moreover, you’d have a story to tell (which you could post on this thread). I’d be interested in hearing how you fared. I daresay every other poster on this thread would be interested as well. Go on – why not? I dare you. :bounce:

Any other poster on this thread care to second this emotion?

Daringly,
Mick

But would Gurney be committing mortal sin by attending an Orthodox instead of Latin or Eastern Catholic Mass, and thus could not be saved unless he truly repented thru the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Anointing of the Sick?

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Gurney already committed a mortal sin visiting his old Anglican parish, St. Paul’s, last weekend to listen to Bishop John-David Schofield speak; Gurney talked with him for an hour and a half at coffee hour also. So I’m already in hot Catholic water! What’s a little Coptic going to do? I’m already in deep LOL

But would Gurney be committing mortal sin by attending an Orthodox instead of Latin or Eastern Catholic Mass, and thus could not be saved unless he truly repented thru the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Anointing of the Sick?

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

My wife is not spooked about it. In fact, she was approached by the Egyptian priest of the Coptic Church here in town. She was at Starbucks drinking coffee and studying for her anatomy class (she’s working on becoming an RN). He walked up to her and said, “studying? hitting the books? I remember those days! I was always at Starbucks drinking coffee studying when I was in seminary.” They talked for a few minutes and he said, “if you’d like, come by our church here in town. You’re always welcome.”

Kate also told me she’d be willing to go up to Fresno, an hour’s drive, to go to the Serbian or Greek Orthodox churches up there. So she’s not the chicken, I AM!! LOL I’ve never been in ANY Orthodox churches period. I don’t even know what the worship looks like. I wish I had some video to watch to know what it’s even like?

I suppose you might think you’d feel out of place but that might not prove to be the case. Why don’t you visit the Coptic Orthodox church by yourself this coming Sunday and then report back home? If you are made to feel very unwelcome and you really do feel uncomfortable and out of place you won’t have lost anything and you and your wife can then move on to consider your other options. Moreover, you’d have a story to tell (which you could post on this thread). I’d be interested in hearing how you fared. I daresay every other poster on this thread would be interested as well. Go on – why not? I dare you. :bounce:

Any other poster on this thread care to second this emotion?

Daringly,
Mick

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Pulling for the San Francisco Giants is my penance in life. If there is satisfaction to be had for our sins, my purgatorial explorations have mostly taken place at AT&T Park. We have tickets next month. At least Timmy Lincecum’s pitching. My ticket out of purgatory?

Well yeah Gurney I get burned out sometimes too. So I hear ya. Just keep praying about it and keep your heart open to God’s Spirit, He will tell you where He wants you to be. In the meantime know you can’t stand the Dodgers but the Angels and Giants are only 1GB and the Pads are in first! Peace.

 

[cctabb]

My husband and I were discussing this tonight because he is going to a different shift and our parish is going to summer hours. After this Sunday he won’t make it to mass for 4 weeks. There is not another church within 60 miles that has a mass time that he can attend due to the new work/sleep schedule.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

What a bummer!

My husband and I were discussing this tonight because he is going to a different shift and our parish is going to summer hours. After this Sunday he won’t make it to mass for 4 weeks. There is not another church within 60 miles that has a mass time that he can attend due to the new work/sleep schedule.

 

[blazerdave]

My wife is not spooked about it. In fact, she was approached by the Egyptian priest of the Coptic Church here in town. She was at Starbucks drinking coffee and studying for her anatomy class (she’s working on becoming an RN). He walked up to her and said, “studying? hitting the books? I remember those days! I was always at Starbucks drinking coffee studying when I was in seminary.” They talked for a few minutes and he said, “if you’d like, come by our church here in town. You’re always welcome.”

Kate also told me she’d be willing to go up to Fresno, an hour’s drive, to go to the Serbian or Greek Orthodox churches up there. So she’s not the chicken, I AM!! LOL I’ve never been in ANY Orthodox churches period. I don’t even know what the worship looks like. I wish I had some video to watch to know what it’s even like?

If you go, wear comfortable shoes!

 

[blazerdave]

And, if you go (and your experience is anything like mine), you will think you’re on another world or in some other dimension. Some elements of the liturgical language were familiar, or had echoes of familiarity; but I found the Divine Liturgy to be incredibly “other.” When I visited a Liturgy at an OCA parish, I thought that it was the most beautiful, stunning, pristine, and other-worldly thing that I had ever witnessed.