Christianity:  The Forms within the Form


The form is that of a resurrected Lord.

"Then he said to Thomas, "Put, your finger here; see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my side.  Stop doubting and believe." 

But the forms of worship are many. 

This week I trundled along in my Jeep to  attend the baptism of a dear friend into the Serbian Orthodox Church.  The liturgy and tradition was absolutely elegant - albeit I do not speak the Serbian language.

 Everyone stands.  So after about two hours of standing, my feet were yelping like puppies, so I stepped out.  Talk about commitment!  The people were lovely and friendly. And it was a blessing to join them in their traditions.

 


https://hthspc.org/


The beauty of Christianity lies in the liberty afforded the Believer to engage expressive forms of worship.

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I was raised in the Charismatic tradition, which is the softer side of the Pentecostal movement.  I have worshiped with Jesuits and Franciscans. Dined with the Bishop of the Dallas Diocese.  Time has been spent alongside the Mennonites. I have mingled briefly with the Hutterites of Montana. 
 
Today, I find myself in a Baptist Sunday School.  I leave the class early so that I can travel to a Lutheran church to teach children ages 2-5.  They will be future Lutherans.  Or maybe, they will find their resting place within a different Christian community in adulthood.

The commonality is the form.

The variety lies in the forms.

Welcome -  to Christianity.  It is the gentlest of faiths.


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