Are there any converts from Pentecostalism?

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AdamTM

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I was wondering if there are any Catholics who converted from Pentecostalism here. I ask because I am one, and often am tempted to go back to that, simply because of the happy-feel-goodness of that religion. I know that that is a really dumb reason, but all the same I am sometimes tempted by that. I was wondering if there are any other converts from Pentecostalism, and if so, did you face this problem and how did you handle it?

Thanks and God Bless,
~AdamTM
 
Hi! Yes, and sometimes, yes. Although in the Assemblies there was plenty of Protestant guilt as well. That whole, have-a-beer-go-to-hell thing. It seemed like the worship portion of the service was so uplifting with the choruses and stuff. But then came the sermon. Where we were all called to do more, be more. The world was going to hell and it was our responsibility to stop it. The kind of sermons that left me weeping at the altar every service because I didn’t/couldn’t measure up. I don’t think even Jesus could have measured up. But ever since my first mass, I came out feeling loved, at peace, at like God actually liked me. I knew he loved me, but I never felt liked by God before. And this was before I could receive the Eucharist. Every time I miss the worship part of my old church, I remember that I have to take the total package. Great worship and great guilt. I’d rather be free.
Kris
 
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Klm:
Hi! Yes, and sometimes, yes. Although in the Assemblies there was plenty of Protestant guilt as well. That whole, have-a-beer-go-to-hell thing. It seemed like the worship portion of the service was so uplifting with the choruses and stuff. But then came the sermon. Where we were all called to do more, be more. The world was going to hell and it was our responsibility to stop it. The kind of sermons that left me weeping at the altar every service because I didn’t/couldn’t measure up. I don’t think even Jesus could have measured up. But ever since my first mass, I came out feeling loved, at peace, at like God actually liked me. I knew he loved me, but I never felt liked by God before. And this was before I could receive the Eucharist. Every time I miss the worship part of my old church, I remember that I have to take the total package. Great worship and great guilt. I’d rather be free.
Kris
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Thank you so much for that great post. It really helps me out.

God Bless you
 
I am, altho I spent 8 years as a SoBap before swimming the Tiber. I have no desire to backtrack at all.

DaveBj
 
I am a cradle Catholic. Years ago, I was greatly helped by the Catholic Charismatic movement, which was also called the Catholic Pentecostal Movement. One web site is www.wwccr.org (Western Washington Catholic Charismatic Renewal). They could probably tell you about prayer groups in your area. You can have your cake and eat it, too!
 
I’m not a convert, but your post reminded me of something I read the other day.

(I’m going to steal a line from St. Francis de Sales 😃 ):

Be careful not to love the consolation of God, but rather love the God of consolation 👍
 
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Listener:
I am a cradle Catholic. Years ago, I was greatly helped by the Catholic Charismatic movement, which was also called the Catholic Pentecostal Movement. One web site is www.wwccr.org (Western Washington Catholic Charismatic Renewal). They could probably tell you about prayer groups in your area. You can have your cake and eat it, too!
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I would rather have nor eat that cake.
 
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AdamTM:
I was wondering if there are any Catholics who converted from Pentecostalism here. I ask because I am one, and often am tempted to go back to that, simply because of the happy-feel-goodness of that religion. I know that that is a really dumb reason, but all the same I am sometimes tempted by that. I was wondering if there are any other converts from Pentecostalism, and if so, did you face this problem and how did you handle it?

Thanks and God Bless,
~AdamTM
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I’m converting to Catholicisim from Pentecostalism. Honestly, I love the Catholic mass (been going for 8 months now, and I like the debth of Catholicism. I believe in the gifts of the Spirit, but I’m not to sure about Catholic Charismatics. (Some of the stuff on the board reminds me of some of the excesses in some of the Pentecostal services but some aspects of Pentecostalism can be good. The gifts are valid today. For me, the reason I’m becoming Catholic is because I think well Scripture says the gifts must be judged by the Church. And even Paul himself brought out his revelation to make sure that his revelation was true. (See Galations) A lot of Pentecostals I think aren’t willing to do that…It’s not just me and the Holy Spirit…

If you miss Pentecostal worship, why not get some worship cds. I’m willing to beat there are Catholic ones, contemporary ones. You can check songs/lyrics first I’m sure if you are concerned about orthodoxy. And then just listening to cds in your own house and spent time with the Lord praising him.

One of the things I’ve learned is that before getting really deep into prayer sometimes its good to just take time out and praise God, (He deserves that) this being said silence I think and quiet is the best time we really here him. So I think after a worship time. It’s good to stop the cd and spend some time with him in the quiet. I’m just saying if your missing a specific worship, than why not worship him!
 
Dh is a pentacostal. We wen’t to one of the church services here when we moved. This church was bigger than the highschool we went to. There were so many people, it seemed like concert (we were in the nosebleed section, not even my glasses helped me see the stage). It was too much noise and confusion and singing and all that. When the usher noticed that we were new, I guess he told the pastor and he made us go on the stage and introduce ourselves to the congregation. Umm…akward. I didnt understand why this church service was so chaotic. Isn’t sunday mass supposed to be quite relflection with the Lord?

Maybe you pentacostals can explain it to me cause DH could not…he didn’t like it either. (sorry, not highjacking the thread, just noticed the pentacostals here!!)
 
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sarcophagus:
Dh is a pentacostal. We wen’t to one of the church services here when we moved. This church was bigger than the highschool we went to. There were so many people, it seemed like concert (we were in the nosebleed section, not even my glasses helped me see the stage). It was too much noise and confusion and singing and all that. When the usher noticed that we were new, I guess he told the pastor and he made us go on the stage and introduce ourselves to the congregation. Umm…akward. I didnt understand why this church service was so chaotic. Isn’t sunday mass supposed to be quite relflection with the Lord?

Maybe you pentacostals can explain it to me cause DH could not…he didn’t like it either. (sorry, not highjacking the thread, just noticed the pentacostals here!!)
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Yap, that’s a Pentecostal service, chaotic. Yet Pentecostals don’t’ care if it is chaotic because they believe that no matter what happens it is ordained my the Holy Spirit.
 
I was a member of the assemblies of god before i became a Catholic about 3 years ago.
 
I too was a member of the AoG for about 20 years. I earned an M. A. in Bible and religious education, learned how to listen to God, and learned my way around the Bible. Of course, I had to unlearn many things I learned there and recover from their particular form of manipulation, which took me a very long time.

Anyway, when I think back on the days when I had to “try to get something from God” at every church service–a herculean feat considering God didn’t always want to give me a new thrill to take home with me. When I think back on having to dress all alike and think all alike and act all alike–as if that is good for people. And when I think back on my wasted 20’s trying to pursue a “career” in the sect, I have no regrets leaving it.

Just one reception of the Holy Eucharist is worth all that and more! Having peace of mind and heart and total confidence in God’s goodness and mercy is worth all that. Just being able to be myself as a Catholic is worth all that and much, much more.
 
Hi-

I’m currently in RCIA, converting from Pentecostal/Baptist mix background, and I have been wondering if I am going to go through withdrawal myself. I do still listen to the local Christian Radio which is Evangelical in flavor, so to speak, and I get a real blessing from listening to Christian music, which is what I miss most when I go to Mass (I’m talking about music which is familiar to me and in which I feel like I am really participating in, not that there is anything lacking in the music at Mass in and of itself.)

I don’t think cradle catholics can relate to this aspect of our conversion experience. I know I’m having a hard time connecting to the catholics at my parish because the culture is so different from what I’m used to and when I express any difficulties I am having in these areas, they look at me kind of weird, I know they have no clue where I am coming from. I have fears at times that I’m not going to be able to find my place here, although I can’t go back to a church where I don’t trust the teaching authority, which is what ultimately brought me to the Catholic Church.

I just wanted to say that you are not alone. I sure wish I knew of some kind of “support group” for us converts! I know it may sound kind of hoky, but it would sure make the transition less painful for us I think. I know it’s not supposed to be about comfort or painlessness, but we are human and when you feel alone, I don’t know, I don’t think the process should feel that way.

Whew! It felt good to get all that out! Hope I didn’t do wrong here! :whacky:

God Bless,
Jeanette L
 
Jeanette L:
Hi-

I’m currently in RCIA, converting from Pentecostal/Baptist mix background, and I have been wondering if I am going to go through withdrawal myself. I do still listen to the local Christian Radio which is Evangelical in flavor, so to speak, and I get a real blessing from listening to Christian music, which is what I miss most when I go to Mass (I’m talking about music which is familiar to me and in which I feel like I am really participating in, not that there is anything lacking in the music at Mass in and of itself.)

I don’t think cradle catholics can relate to this aspect of our conversion experience. I know I’m having a hard time connecting to the catholics at my parish because the culture is so different from what I’m used to and when I express any difficulties I am having in these areas, they look at me kind of weird, I know they have no clue where I am coming from. I have fears at times that I’m not going to be able to find my place here, although I can’t go back to a church where I don’t trust the teaching authority, which is what ultimately brought me to the Catholic Church.

I just wanted to say that you are not alone. I sure wish I knew of some kind of “support group” for us converts! I know it may sound kind of hoky, but it would sure make the transition less painful for us I think. I know it’s not supposed to be about comfort or painlessness, but we are human and when you feel alone, I don’t know, I don’t think the process should feel that way.

Whew! It felt good to get all that out! Hope I didn’t do wrong here! :whacky:

God Bless,
Jeanette L
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You know something I don’t miss the Pentecostal worship all that much. Part of it is becuase I do get so much at mass… I remember when I was still a Pentecostal. I went to my cousin’s wedding (Catholic) and while the mass was happening, I was sitting there crying, saying Jesus Died for me! I thought it was just the most amazing thing, I had ever experienced. I don’t know why it didn’t hit me at my previous mass attempts, but it really hit me there.

Its so much easier to hear God, really hear Him at mass. Than it is to hear Him, at a lot of my previous Churches… Yes, there’s a time for joy in the Lord. But I’m really enjoying the quiet contemplation of just concentrating on the Scripture, concentrating on the Words of the music, and just quietly talking to Jesus… I especially love when after the Kiss of Peace. We sing Jesus Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the World…After visiting mass I sang that for weeks… It’s my favorite part (since I cannot take communion yet.)

Don’t get me wrong I have experienced the Lord, at Pentecostal services too. But sometimes i think its in simplicity that we can really get in tune with the Lord. I like the fact that the mass is focused on Jesus, and not on ourselves, and getting our own high etc…
 
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bekalc:
You know something I don’t miss the Pentecostal worship all that much. Part of it is becuase I do get so much at mass… I remember when I was still a Pentecostal. I went to my cousin’s wedding (Catholic) and while the mass was happening, I was sitting there crying, saying Jesus Died for me! I thought it was just the most amazing thing, I had ever experienced. I don’t know why it didn’t hit me at my previous mass attempts, but it really hit me there.

Its so much easier to hear God, really hear Him at mass. Than it is to hear Him, at a lot of my previous Churches… Yes, there’s a time for joy in the Lord. But I’m really enjoying the quiet contemplation of just concentrating on the Scripture, concentrating on the Words of the music, and just quietly talking to Jesus… I especially love when after the Kiss of Peace. We sing Jesus Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the World…After visiting mass I sang that for weeks… It’s my favorite part (since I cannot take communion yet.)

Don’t get me wrong I have experienced the Lord, at Pentecostal services too. But sometimes i think its in simplicity that we can really get in tune with the Lord. I like the fact that the mass is focused on Jesus, and not on ourselves, and getting our own high etc…
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I do agree that the Mass is beautiful and much more reverent than anything I have ever experienced. I think my problem is that everything is still so foreign to me, that I’m not as focused as I should be, I’m still trying to figure out what I am supposed to be doing! Almost like a social anxiety or something!

I know I will eventually get used to it. I did go to the Adoration Chapel last week and I just sat there and wept. I couldn’t stop the tears. It was a powerful time for me. As the Pentecostals would say “I had the Holy Ghost all over me!” 😃 The difference was, I didn’t have to “work it up”, the Lord was just letting me know he was there.
 
Hi Jeanette,
I think you said you were looking for some support groups for your transition process; well, I don’t know if this will help but there is a great website which offers help for those in transition. They actually have a show on EWTN, I believe. Anyway, it’s the Coming Home Network: www.chnetwork.org and they help those who are converting or inquiring about the faith. God bless.

-Alison
 
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Alison:
Hi Jeanette,
I think you said you were looking for some support groups for your transition process; well, I don’t know if this will help but there is a great website which offers help for those in transition. They actually have a show on EWTN, I believe. Anyway, it’s the Coming Home Network: www.chnetwork.org and they help those who are converting or inquiring about the faith. God bless.

-Alison
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Hi Alison-

I actually did try that a while back. EWTN was a HUGE part of my conversion process, and The Journey Home was and is a show I try not to miss. But I never got any responses when I emailed, I think they deal more with Clergy Conversions as far as support goes.

It’s possible that I am trying to hold on to something I’m supposed to let go of (I’m psychoanalizing myself) and that’s why I’m trying to find someone of my “own kind” maybe. It’s like needing a security blanket or something!

It’s just difficult when you’re dealing with a huge change in your spiritual life, which in itself is amazing and wonderful, but the complications in the family life has caused a lot of anxiety.

Misery loves company! But thanks for the suggestion. I may give them a try again, maybe I’ll have better luck this time.

God Bless,
Jeanette
 
Thanks Jeanette,
Marcus Grodi’s son is a friend of mine so I could very well try telling him about you myself; coupled with you giving them another e-mail would be awesome! God bless.

-Alison
 
Alison-

That would be very helpful. Thank you for your kindness. I will write them again for sure. I’ll let you know what happens!

Jeanette
 
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