When the Homily is about Immunology

Too Ethnic

Someone's wife on the Convert List was complaining that she could not become Orthodox because they are just too ethnic. (Jeez...obviously she's never been too my Parish!) If you think about it, its a funny thing to say...why do we American's think that we are devoid of any sort of ethnicity? We talk as if we are the default ethnicity of the world.

Thinking about the great protestant missionary effort to traditionally Orthodox countries, I sometimes wonder if you might overhear a potential Russian convert conversation go something like this:

Russian #1: "Did you check out that american missionary's church last night?"
Russian #2: "yeah."
Russian #1: "Well...What did you think?"
Russian #2: "It was alright...I might consider joining if it weren't so darned ethnic."

Of course, I recently read (could not find a link...sorry) about a Baptist church in Russia utilizing traditional Russian Orthodox architecture in the construction of their meeting place. There was no mention of whether they'd include Icons (hehehe.) Now, if Orthodox missionaries were to come here to convert protestants and if they'd adopt a similar strategy (to avoid the dreaded "ethnic" curse), what would it look like?

I don't think I'm feeling very good just thinking about it....everything seems so integral to Orthodoxy, it just wouldn't feel right to reduce it to head theology in order to "practice" it in a sterile auditorium ala Calvary Chapel. It seems like we Americans have a hard time with this...something to ponder and perhaps post about later.