[fissasste]

As a relatively new inquirer into the orthodox church I am having a difficulttime knowing when to "cut the ties" with my protestant church. Our family has stopped going to church on sundays and attend an OCA church on sunday instead. BUt what about me still attending the womens study group., or children going to the kids program during the week? Second question.. how do I explain this to the pastor?

[yarita]

As with many things, I doubt there is one "cut-and-dried" answer, but I do suspect that when the time is "right", you will know. I don't know how you will know, it is different for different people.

Hopefully other, more recent, converts will weigh in, but we all brought baggage with us when we became Orthodox and it often takes time to figure out what to keep and what to toss out. For many of us, trying to leave as much as we can "at the door" amd make a clean start has been helpful, or at least things became "easier" once we learned to to that. There is often much to unlearn before we can learn aright.

For some, a clean break was best, others had to be weaned. There is no single answer. It might be best to discuss this with the Orthodox priest. Respondents here may recommend both based on their own experiences. It depends a lot on how strong your ties are to your current church, lots of family there? Heavy involvement in the ministry? Only you know your situation.

As to letting your old paster know, again I don't know of an "easy" way. He may merely wish you well, or he may launch into an all-out effort to "save you from them heathen Orthodox, you apostate". He will probably ask you WHY and you might not have a well-thought out answer at this point, that is certainly understandable. If you are worried about his feelings you might mention that it is not about his "ability" as a pastor, it is about wanting to be closer to Christ. This is, of course, one of the weaknesses of Protestantism in general, it is often all about the pastor, a personality cult. I, of course, speak only of my own experience, not yours which may be different.

The priest and your catechist will be your most important resources. They will be the ones most familiar with all the details of your situation and will be in the best position to help you decide what to do! We are all just a bunch of posters on an internet forum.

Herman the poster Pooh