Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 26

I must admit, I have always enjoyed listening to Rage Against the Machine, even if I cannot completely agree with their message. Below is a video of a band performing a Rage song called "Bulls on Parade," which was written to denounce the American military-industrial complex. To tell the truth, It's actually a pretty decent performance (although the guitarist is no Tom Morello). The problem is that the performance takes place in what claims to be a church (a place where the pastor likes to deliver sermons like one entitled "You Don't Suck Anymore" and where is the music is so loud that they "offer earplugs to anyone who wants them."). I have said before that I have no problem with the use of contemporary music in church, as long as it's appropriate, decent music (not a re-worded version of a secular pop song, like this one where the F-word has to be removed) and as long as it's not on Sunday. That's the Lord's Day, not yours!!!

As you watch this, keep in mind that this performance is taking place at a Sunday morning worship service; compare it to the dignified, holy, Christ-centered worship of the Orthodox Church and see if you can guess which is more pleasing to God.

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 25

Every year, the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City hosts what it calls their Halloween Extravaganza when performers dressed as ghouls and goblins parade right down the center aisle. That's right: a "church" hosts an annual Halloween parade in the church building!

And to which Christian tradition does St John the Divine Cathedral belong?

You guessed it: Episcopal.

This is a church that claims to live "in the spirit of Christ" but doesn't seem to have a problem ignoring St Paul's warning not to have "fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness" (Eph 5.11).

Here is the promotional webpage for this year's event.

And here is a video from two years ago.



Note: At around the seven-minute mark you'll hear a familiar tune that in this context is sinister and chilling.

Read more about the event here, and here.
See photos here, here, and here.

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 24

"St Matthews Cathedral Superbowl"

Courtesy of the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 23

What is the purpose of these Things You'll Never See posts? Is it to poke fun at Christians who don't do things the way we do them in the Orthodox Church? Sure, that's part of it. But there is more to it than that.
Sometimes, a thing is best described by identifying what it is not. With these posts, I am demonstrating that theOrthodox Church is not irreverent, flippant, disgraceful, unseemly, tactless, tacky, or driven by what is cool, relevant, sexy or politically correct. It is not interested in celebrating human achievement or in tailoring its understanding of God to match its wordlview. It is not casual, comfortable, or laid back. It is not interested in entertaining you or bolstering your self esteem. It is not interested simply in drawing a crowd (hell, Lady Gaga can do that!) or winning converts, but in making disciples and teaching them to observe everything Christ commanded (Mt 2819-20).
In short, the Orthodox Church is the opposite of what you find in these videos.


This clip comes from Heartland Christian Center in Valparaiso, IN. At the end of his performance, the pastor tells the audience "you never thought you'd come to church and see that."
Truth be told: you won't.

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 22

(Newser) – A Dutch priest is in hot water for praying—in vain—that the Netherlands would defeat Spain at a Mass celebrated the day of the World Cup final, reports the BBC. Paul Vlaar decorated his church in the team color, orange; wore orange and white vestments; and played along as a churchgoer kicked a soccer ball down the aisle. He's been suspended so he can observe "a period of reflection," says his bishop. "Everybody supports Pastor Paul and we don't see what was so bad," a parishioner tells the AP.

source

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 21

From a Roman Catholic source:

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 20

Dallas Morning News: Cathedral of Hope in Dallas says it will host 'gay Jesus' play

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 19

I don't know what's more painful: watching an Elvis impersonator perform in church, or listening to the audience clap on the "1" and the "3"...

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 18

From the Associated Press:

COLUMBIA STATION, Ohio (AP) -- An Ohio bride and ghoul have vowed to love each other and haunt and howl at the moon together at a Halloween-themed wedding. Sixty-one-year-old Jack Holsinger and 44-year-old Connie Spitznagel were both made up as pale-faced vampires for their scare-emoney Saturday night at a haunted house near Cleveland. The two chose the location because it's operated by the same people who own a campground where the couple met.

Holsinger arrived in a coffin inside a hearse, and the coffin was carried to the altar by six pallbearers. Minister Greg Kopp was dressed as Jason in the "Friday the 13th" movies. After the vows were exchanged, he ordered Holsinger not to kiss his new bride but instead to bite her on the neck.

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 17

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 16

Note: keep your eye on the lady in the black skirt. What she does at 1:33 is probably my favorite moment in the whole "Things You'll Never See" collection.

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 15

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 14

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 13

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 12

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 11

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 10

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 9

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 8

Things You'll Never See in an Orthodox Church, Part 7