TOO FAR EAST?

I have observed a few things on my Journey to Eastern Orthodoxy that have caused me to ask, “Is it possible to journey too far east?” Of course all would agree that one cannot travel too far when one’s quest is for the authentic Church which preserves the Apostolic truth. The fact remains, however, that east is east and west is west and the two meet on the North American Continent. Truth is the same whether in the east or west, but culture and human nature surround that truth. So when does one travel too far East? One travels too far East when one does not apply methods and means of evangelism relevant to the culture to which it is communicating. One travels too far East when the idea of appropriating the prevalent media outlets and technological means of communication, is seen as a threat to the eastern rhythm or pace. One travels too far East when he thinks those who worship with the Western Rite are somehow not fully Orthodox. One travels too far East when those who control the materials of worship and evangelism resist trusting the distribution or usage of such to the hands of the laity. One travels too far East when materials, prayer books, and such are provided at no cost to new convert Eastern Rite Churches, but new convert Western Rite Churches are, for the most part, left to fin for themselves. One travels too far East when some who have the power to bless and support the laymen and women with vision resist doing so because the vision did not originate with them. One travels too far East when the laity who fulfill their role as the fourth part of the priesthood are considered rebellious and outside the work of the Church. A good indicator that you may have traveled too far East is the fact that those who haven’t traveled too far prefer not to include you in their vision for fear that you will demote rather than promote their vision to effectively reach lost souls in the West. Is it possible to travel too far East? It seems so. Is it a given? May it not be so.