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@medullah saidCatholics rock!
I’m not a big fan of main stream churches but a few months ago we went to visit Shrewsbury Cathedral (wife likes them). As it turned out out we were a bit too early and went in to the last fifteen minutes of the service (Catholic Cathedral ) and was struck by how people greeted each other standing in an adjacent seat, and liked the way that he priest said farewell to everyone at the door.
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@medullah saidThose mega churches are everywhere.
@divegeester
You actually made a very fair point - very reminiscent of the Mega churches on the east cost of America which are built on business as opposed to spiritual foundations.
There are a couple here in Phoenix who broadcast their service on local TV. At least they used to, not sure how popular they are today.
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@medullah saidMy point was addressing the “but” in your post where you said you “were not a fan of big churches” BUT you were struck by the way people greeted each other.
@divegeester
You actually made a very fair point - very reminiscent of the Mega churches on the east cost of America which are built on business as opposed to spiritual foundations.
To be clearer (as it seems I have to be with you to keep you on point); your macro opinion of ‘big churches” and all the issues which go along with them, is hardly excused by your observation of a few people greeting each other during your visit to a cathedral on your day out. I saw the same thing a work conference; people greeting each other.
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@divegeester
You still go to business conferences? You are more sprightly than I had given you credit for.
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@medullah saidI also visit cathedrals and I don’t judge you for doing so.
@divegeester
You still go to business conferences? You are more sprightly than I had given you credit for.
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@mchill saidAbsolutely.
I don't like church services (especially big ones) though I've been to quite a few, I don't like being coerced into shaking hands and saying hello to nearby strangers and dislike small talk, preferring instead spend time with a small group of bible study classmates that I'm familiar with. There is a (not so) subtle implication among today's many Christian denominations that if ...[text shortened]... urches portray to the public.
Is there really room for Christian introverts in today's churches?
There is a quotation from I believe St. Porphyrios where he talked about how a Christian hermit praying in his cell has a greater impact on the souls of the world than a preacher who has the ears of 80,000 people giving a moving sermon.
I will also say I am always hearing about quiet, and controlling your tongue are all wonderful virtues.
There is a place for the introvert who is more comfortable with quiet prayer and contemplation, and simply bettering themselves, and there is the place for the extrovert who is quite social. The prayers of the introvert assist the words and missionary work of the extrovert, and the prayers and works of the extrovert in organizing the Chrisitan community and being its mouthpiece also are beneficial to the introvert, IMO.
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@philokalia saidI don’t think there is any evidence to show that God is in the slightest interested in human attributes when it comes to praying, speaking or working for him.
The prayers of the introvert assist the words and missionary work of the extrovert, and the prayers and works of the extrovert in organizing the Chrisitan community and being its mouthpiece also are beneficial to the introvert, IMO.