Advice on Exploring Other Denominations

[benjohnson]

If you are strong in your Catholic faith, you could come away with a better appreciation of your own faith if you do venture into a LC-MS church. You’ll perhaps find the humbleness of the physical church interesting, and the general catachresis of LC-MS members inspiring.

The LC-MS church has retained a few things that the modern Catholic church has put aside, I hope you can spot them and enjoy them.

Keep in mind that LC-MS has a very strong ‘law’, but you should find a stronger ‘gospel,’ so don’t get too put off if the sermon is strong and vigorous. We are a ‘close’ church - you may want to ask the pastor if you could receive a blessing at the altar rail - I would do this beforehand as we can be quite strict. Both LC-MS and Catholic teaching indicate that you should not receive.

As a member of the LC-MS, I come away with a better understanding whenever I have the opportunity to go to Catholic Mass - the Sanctus chimes in my own church now have stronger meaning for me for example.

Do stay for coffee afterwards - we like to talk and encourage each other and I hope you find that too.

 

[Porknpie]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone has any advice on exploring other Christian denominations, if anyone else has done it, etc? Would it be sinful to attend a worship service at another church on Sunday (of course I would also go to Mass, and I would not receive Communion at the Protestant church). Part of this has to do with just pure interest in how the liturgies and preaching are different, but also to be honest, I am discovering the last couple of months that I have some strong personal theological inclinations towards another denomination. To be more specific, I have become quite attracted to confessional Lutheranism (think Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod).
I am a lifelong Catholic (although I didn’t practice in my late high school/early college years). I’m now 24 years old and been a steady practicing Catholic for a few years now after returning to the Church … and I accept all Church teachings as an act of faith, but intellectually struggle with many of them (primarily ideas of grace, Mary, and Church authority). What I want to happen is to go a worship service at the local LCMS church, find out it is not what I think it is, and then just go on being a Catholic and practicing my faith in the one true holy and apostolic Catholic Church. But I just feel like this will continue to nag at me if I don’t at least “check it out.” Thanks in advance for any advice.

Suggest:

• read some of the tracts on catholic.com home page under “read”
• book suggestion on Mary: Hail Holy Queen by Scott Hahn ( all should read this whether you are Catholic or catholic)

 

[CMatt25]

I see nothing sinful in exploring the traditions of our non-Catholic sisters and brothers. But many here tell me I’m a hell bound heretic so you may not want to take my word for it.

God bless

You’ve been told that too? God bless you as well and I pray you are at peace.

 

[Armor_of_Light]

On a tangentially related note, it’s always fun to look through another church’s hymnal. One can learn a lot about a particular church body’s teachings from the form their liturgy takes. I pray that God grants you peace with your intellectual struggles, and that you grow in your catholic faith!

Go make a difference
clap clap clap
You can make a difference
clap clap clap
Go make a difference in the woooorld
clap clap clap

 

[zz912]

As a person who, in college, disregarded the advice of a priest and started exploring, and then left the Church for several years before returning, I’d say don’t go. The mindset of finding a church to fit you instead of fitting yourself to the Church is one that is easy to pick up and hard to drop. And especially at your age, wandering away puts you in the possible position of having some sort of irregular marriage situation to deal with when/if you come back, which is tough.

God has made good things out of me leaving and returning, but I still wish I hadn’t left. The best thing I learned after coming back is that when I disagree with the Church, it’s me that is wrong. (In some cases, God allowed me to “get it” and see why I had been wrong. In a couple of small other cases, I just accept it on faith.)

In theory, I’d say go for it, but through experience I have to say, skip it.

–Jen

Much widsom in these words.

 

[Stilldreamn]

I was Baptist before entering the Catholic Church so imagine what twists and turns at night I had over Marian concepts and the Authority of the Church.

If you go, out of respect for their closed communion - and Catholic Teaching - I would recommend you refrain from receiving Communion there. Dress modestly and be polite and remember we’re all Christian, and address the pastor as “Reverend” or “Pastor”, not “Father” if you speak with him.

Some alternate advice: If you know of a Catholic Parish that is next door to a Lutheran parish, ask the Catholic priest if they have a regular meeting where they invite each other over to discuss the similarities, differences and history in a public forum. They have one here at one of our downtown parishes. It’s very informative and both the Catholic Priest and the Lutheran Pastor are very good friends.

Bless you Chris, I go to THAT very Lutheran church. Indeed, the last forum was just great, and I think we all learned a lot about each other.

 

[PJM]

=briguy16;9905730]Hi all,

Wondering if anyone has any advice on exploring other Christian denominations, if anyone else has done it, etc? Would it be sinful to attend a worship service at another church on Sunday (of course I would also go to Mass, and I would not receive Communion at the Protestant church). Part of this has to do with just pure interest in how the liturgies and preaching are different, but also to be honest, I am discovering the last couple of months that I have some strong personal theological inclinations towards another denomination. To be more specific, I have become quite attracted to confessional Lutheranism (think Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod).
I am a lifelong Catholic (although I didn’t practice in my late high school/early college years). I’m now 24 years old and been a steady practicing Catholic for a few years now after returning to the Church … and I accept all Church teachings as an act of faith, but intellectually struggle with many of them (primarily ideas of grace, Mary, and Church authority). What I want to happen is to go a worship service at the local LCMS church, find out it is not what I think it is, and then just go on being a Catholic and practicing my faith in the one true holy and apostolic Catholic Church. But I just feel like this will continue to nag at me if I don’t at least “check it out.” Thanks in advance for any advice.

UNDERSTAND MY FRIEND THAT WHAT YOUR’RE EXPERIENCING IS "PROMPTINGS FROM “GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT”

HERE’S WHY

With unerring consistancy God: Yahweh in the OT and Jesus in the NT taught:

1. Believe in ONLY ME; One God
2. Beleive and practice ONLY what I teach [through my chosen ons] and Command
3. And God for reasons ONLY He fully understands has ALWAYS had ONLY ONE
   CHOSEN People; ONE “CHURCH” …

OT =The Jews
NT = todays Catholic Church

AND YES; SPACE PERMITTING I CAN PROVE THIS BIBLICALLY:thumbsup:

John.10: 16 “And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd”

Ps.127:1 “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain”

The surest answer is God everywhere and every-time taught with consistency:

Believe in only One God:

Malachias 2:10 “Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why then doth every one of us despise his brother, violating the covenant of our fathers?”

Mark 12:29 “And Jesus answered him: The first commandment of all is, Hear, O Israel: the Lord thy God is one God”

ONLY One set of Faith beliefs:

Genesis 17:2 “And I will make my covenant [singular] between me and thee: and I will multiply thee exceedingly”

Ephesians 4:5 " One Lord, one faith, one baptism."

And always ONLY ONE chosen people

Exodus 6:7 “And I will take you to myself for my people, I will be your God: and you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brought you out from the work prison of the Egyptians”

Mt. 10:1-4 " And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities. And the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him

SO NOW MY FRIEND, DO YOU LISTEN TO WHAT YOU HEAR

God Bless and WELCOME to CAF Forum,
Pat /PJM

 

[candybear]

I don’t see any problem with it. That’s how I discovered the Catholic Church. I was a Lutheran (Missouri Synod) at one time and found I was very comfortable in the Catholic Church, so much I became Catholic. I also attended services at some fringe fundamentalist churches and they tried to convert me. So be careful which denominations you explore. If you show any interest, they assume you want to become a part of their church. Now, I just do a lot reading about any denomination. But, go ahead and attend the Lutheran Church. It is very much like the Catholic Church.

 

[asd72]

If you are strong in your Catholic faith, you could come away with a better appreciation of your own faith if you do venture into a LC-MS church. You’ll perhaps find the humbleness of the physical church interesting, and the general catachresis of LC-MS members inspiring.

The LC-MS church has retained a few things that the modern Catholic church has put aside, I hope you can spot them and enjoy them.

Keep in mind that LC-MS has a very strong ‘law’, but you should find a stronger ‘gospel,’ so don’t get too put off if the sermon is strong and vigorous. We are a ‘close’ church - you may want to ask the pastor if you could receive a blessing at the altar rail - I would do this beforehand as we can be quite strict. Both LC-MS and Catholic teaching indicate that you should not receive.

As a member of the LC-MS, I come away with a better understanding whenever I have the opportunity to go to Catholic Mass - the Sanctus chimes in my own church now have stronger meaning for me for example.

Do stay for coffee afterwards - we like to talk and encourage each other and I hope you find that too.

I do also think the LCMS seems to have very Orthodox beliefs. I wouldn’t convert from Catholism or anything, but I think we have a lot in common.

 

[asd72]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone has any advice on exploring other Christian denominations, if anyone else has done it, etc? Would it be sinful to attend a worship service at another church on Sunday (of course I would also go to Mass, and I would not receive Communion at the Protestant church). Part of this has to do with just pure interest in how the liturgies and preaching are different, but also to be honest, I am discovering the last couple of months that I have some strong personal theological inclinations towards another denomination. To be more specific, I have become quite attracted to confessional Lutheranism (think Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod).
I am a lifelong Catholic (although I didn’t practice in my late high school/early college years). I’m now 24 years old and been a steady practicing Catholic for a few years now after returning to the Church … and I accept all Church teachings as an act of faith, but intellectually struggle with many of them (primarily ideas of grace, Mary, and Church authority). What I want to happen is to go a worship service at the local LCMS church, find out it is not what I think it is, and then just go on being a Catholic and practicing my faith in the one true holy and apostolic Catholic Church. But I just feel like this will continue to nag at me if I don’t at least “check it out.” Thanks in advance for any advice.

You should talk to your Priest, and address your theological concerns with him. There is no reason you can’t attend a Lutheran Liturgy, but converting from Catholism is a big step. I think Catholism has the fullness of the truth personally.

 

[Chris_Etzel]

Bless you Chris, I go to THAT very Lutheran church. Indeed, the last forum was just great, and I think we all learned a lot about each other.

Awesome! I met your pastor at a wedding downtown a few weeks ago. A close mutual friend and I are on the same Fantasy Football League. Reverend Josh is a very cool guy. You’re blessed to have him!

I hope they’re able to continue the sessions since the Catholic side of the street has a new priest!

 

[benjohnson]

I do also think the LCMS seems to have very Orthodox beliefs. I wouldn’t convert from Catholism or anything, but I think we have a lot in common.

That’s very kind of you to say.

Another good thing is that the LC-MS is “safe” - we generally doesn’t try to proselytize to other valid catechized Christians. The LC-MS school where my son goes to has turned some of the marginal Catholic children into good and rigorous mass attending CATHOLICS who fear god and love god with all their whole heart.

 

[CMatt25]

If you go, out of respect for their closed communion - and Catholic Teaching - I would recommend you refrain from receiving Communion there.

Some alternate advice: If you know of a Catholic Parish that is next door to a Lutheran parish, ask the Catholic priest if they have a regular meeting where they invite each other over to discuss the similarities, differences and history in a public forum. They have one here at one of our downtown parishes. It’s very informative and both the Catholic Priest and the Lutheran Pastor are very good friends.

Out of respect for Catholic teaching but I know of a LCMS church website which states this:

“We believe that the Risen Lord Jesus is really present in the Sacrament and that with the bread and wine we receive His true body and blood (“in, with and under”)… Visitors: if you share these beliefs with us, you are welcome to the Communion rail.”

If I remember correctly, a LCMS member here once told me individual pastors have some disgression on this?

I remember a time of greater ecumenicism before the Catholic Church began on Her current conservative track when in the small town I lived in, the local Catholic priest and the town’s very popular liberal PCUSA pastor were very good friends too. And the priest and the PCUSA pastor, along with assorted Protestant clergy, UMC, Baptists, UCC, non denominational, and others, were all part of a ministerial association and met regularly for morning coffee gatherings at the local diner. This was back in the day. I truly miss such an ecumenical spirit today.

 

[LilyM]

That is why you need to date before you get married. See what’s out there. But for us cradles we never had a chance to see what is out there. I think it is healthy to be curious and explore. If one has the willingness to learn and ask questions then it is good. Many don’t even ask, they just leave. Those people never give the Church a chance.

No, that’s more like a man saying ‘y’know, I only ever slept with one woman, my wife. Maybe I’m missing out by not fooling around …’

 

[PJM]

=nickybr38;9906407]The thing you have to be careful of is that these other denominations are probably very emotion based. Meaning, you’ll go in and they’ll make SURE you have a rip roaring good time. You’ll leave feeling high and happy and you’ll think ; WOW! The holy spirit has GOT to be here! I feel great!

But these other denominations are often empty when you try to dig deeper then the mere emotional aspect.

My advice would be don’t do it. I come from a Protestant background. I found nothing but emptiness in the services of Protestant churches. Only the Catholic Mass has Christ in His entirety. Only the Catholic Church has the full truth. Why would you need anything else?

Whatever you decide, be in prayer. Always. Don’t make a decision based off how you ‘feel’. Study. Pray. Don’t stop going to Mass.

Best of luck to you!

GREAT POST Nicky:thumbsup:

 

[tskrobacz]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone has any advice on exploring other Christian denominations, if anyone else has done it, etc? Would it be sinful to attend a worship service at another church on Sunday (of course I would also go to Mass, and I would not receive Communion at the Protestant church). Part of this has to do with just pure interest in how the liturgies and preaching are different, but also to be honest, I am discovering the last couple of months that I have some strong personal theological inclinations towards another denomination. To be more specific, I have become quite attracted to confessional Lutheranism (think Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod).
I am a lifelong Catholic (although I didn’t practice in my late high school/early college years). I’m now 24 years old and been a steady practicing Catholic for a few years now after returning to the Church … and I accept all Church teachings as an act of faith, but intellectually struggle with many of them (primarily ideas of grace, Mary, and Church authority). What I want to happen is to go a worship service at the local LCMS church, find out it is not what I think it is, and then just go on being a Catholic and practicing my faith in the one true holy and apostolic Catholic Church. But I just feel like this will continue to nag at me if I don’t at least “check it out.” Thanks in advance for any advice.

Recognition of “authority” beyond our own group is structurally demanded of Christians by the very fact that our Bible includes the Hebrew Bible! Inclusivity is our process from the very start. Every Christian liturgy reads authoritative texts from the Torah, the Jewish Prophets, and the Wisdom Writings. We listen to Abraham, Moses, and Elijah, who never knew Jesus. The implications should be clear: we have been taught by non-Christian authorities from the beginning! The door is opened, and must remain open or we become ethnic instead of catholic.

Religious authority is not like secular authority. It is not an end in itself, but for the sake of “life and life more abundantly” (John 10:10). St. Thomas Acquinas’ principle was “Prius vita quam doctrina”, translated as “Life itself is more important than doctrines”. No one group owns the “Perennial Tradition”. The “true religion” is precisely the one that can see and honor God everywhere, not just in themselves. In the end, practical truth is more likely found at the bottom and the edges than at the top or the center of most groups, institutions or cultures.

Simply translated…explore away and let the Spirit guide you.

 

[estesbob]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone has any advice on exploring other Christian denominations, if anyone else has done it, etc? Would it be sinful to attend a worship service at another church on Sunday (of course I would also go to Mass, and I would not receive Communion at the Protestant church). Part of this has to do with just pure interest in how the liturgies and preaching are different, but also to be honest, I am discovering the last couple of months that I have some strong personal theological inclinations towards another denomination. To be more specific, I have become quite attracted to confessional Lutheranism (think Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod).
I am a lifelong Catholic (although I didn’t practice in my late high school/early college years). I’m now 24 years old and been a steady practicing Catholic for a few years now after returning to the Church … and I accept all Church teachings as an act of faith, but intellectually struggle with many of them (primarily ideas of grace, Mary, and Church authority). What I want to happen is to go a worship service at the local LCMS church, find out it is not what I think it is, and then just go on being a Catholic and practicing my faith in the one true holy and apostolic Catholic Church. But I just feel like this will continue to nag at me if I don’t at least “check it out.” Thanks in advance for any advice.

Dont

 

[benjohnson]

If I remember correctly, a LCMS member here once told me individual pastors have some disgression on this?

The LC-MS can be sort of a paradox, we have a strong law, but a strong gospel, and it can show up in interesting ways.

If were were face to face, I would love to tell you my encounters with very conservative Catholic churches in France.

 

[steido01]

…I know of a LCMS church website which states this:

“We believe that the Risen Lord Jesus is really present in the Sacrament and that with the bread and wine we receive His true body and blood (“in, with and under”)… Visitors: if you share these beliefs with us, you are welcome to the Communion rail.”

If I remember correctly, a LCMS member here once told me individual pastors have some disgression on this?

Here’s a complicated answer. LCMS Pastors may use ‘pastoral discretion’ to administer sacraments, BUT most churches in the LCMS practice closed or close communion (one must be a member of the LCMS or its sister churches). Individual LCMS pastors do have some pastoral discretion, although it is intended to be used in emergencies or similar situations (chaplains in the military, for instance).

There are some liberal elements in the LCMS (as there are in any church body) who have used pastoral discretion as an excuse to commune anyone who believes in the Real Presence. Personally, I find this to be an abuse of pastoral discretion and a terribly dangerous example for a pastor to set for his flock (1 Cor. 11:25–29). But then again, I’m not a pastor.

Sadly, it’s an issue that is starting to divide my church, and I’m jealous of my Catholic brothers and sisters who don’t have to worry so much about this problem!

 

[CMatt25]

Here’s a complicated answer. LCMS Pastors may use ‘pastoral discretion’ to administer sacraments, BUT most churches in the LCMS practice closed or close communion (one must be a member of the LCMS or its sister churches). Individual LCMS pastors do have some pastoral discretion, although it is intended to be used in emergencies or similar situations (chaplains in the military, for instance).

There are some liberal elements in the LCMS (as there are in any church body) who have used pastoral discretion as an excuse to commune anyone who believes in the Real Presence. Personally, I find this to be an abuse of pastoral discretion and a terribly dangerous example for a pastor to set for his flock (1 Cor. 11:25–29). But then again, I’m not a pastor.

Sadly, it’s an issue that is starting to divide my church, and I’m jealous of my Catholic brothers and sisters who don’t have to worry so much about this problem!

I see. Thank you for your explanation and thanks for correcting my misspelling without making a huge deal about it and calling my attention to it. Brain freeze.