Are we losing the evangelization race to Protestants?

[NorthTexan88]

I have a particular interest in Muslims who convert to Christianity and in particular Catholicism due to having Muslim friends. I was reading an article on how 6 million Muslims a year convert to Christianity in Africa. I was just wondering how many of those were Catholic vs Protestant. I Dnt really hear that much about Catholic evangelization, but that’s all I ever heard as a Protestant. Do we Do it like the Protestants do and I just Dnt notice?

 

[Trebor135]

I have a particular interest in Muslims who convert to Christianity and in particular Catholicism due to having Muslim friends. I was reading an article on how 6 million Muslims a year convert to Christianity in Africa. I was just wondering how many of those were Catholic vs Protestant. I Dnt really hear that much about Catholic evangelization, but that’s all I ever heard as a Protestant. Do we Do it like the Protestants do and I just Dnt notice?

A while back, it came to my attention–if only I knew where–that the Libyan aalim (Islamic cleric/scholar) who proffered that number in an interview on al-Jazeera actually fabricated the 6.66 million figure to rally the troops for dawa (Islamic evangelization).

So, if African Muslims aren’t converting to Christianity in such huge numbers, your question is moot… unfortunately.

 

[BigdogAman]

actually my good friend you do have point i do think we need to evangelize more and do it like the protestants. that means setting up tents at a public event handing out flyers posters places in parades more religous festivals and seminars. and talking to people about our beliefs but not like the nontrinitarian religons like mormons and jehovah witnesses many people don’t take a liking to that. another thing we could do is pray publically that usually makes people curious and when people are curious they ask questions and when they ask questions we evangelize. i don’t think that there is really a race and if there was i think we would win The Catholic church has been around for 2000 plus years and we still got the heat and still going strong. thanks for bringing up the topic it makes me happy to know that people want to evangelize more.

 

[kwortham]

I have a particular interest in Muslims who convert to Christianity and in particular Catholicism due to having Muslim friends. I was reading an article on how 6 million Muslims a year convert to Christianity in Africa. I was just wondering how many of those were Catholic vs Protestant. I Dnt really hear that much about Catholic evangelization, but that’s all I ever heard as a Protestant. Do we Do it like the Protestants do and I just Dnt notice?

This is of major interest to me as well. I end up making donations to the Bishop Gassis Sudan relief fund when I can to help assist with all of the hard work being done by his diocese in South Sadan. When the protestants fled the attacks on christians by Islamic North Sadan many years ago, Bishop Gassis performed the works of Christ. He had wells drilled for fresh water, built a hospital and started several schools as just a few of his works. The schools are the only way that young girls receive any kind of education.

Anyway, they now have Catholic radio stations in South Sudan so that the faithful can hear news and receive Catholic programming. Best of all, the propaganda of the Islamists is countered.

As I said, the protestants fled years ago and have not returned.

 

[MasterAsia]

I have a particular interest in Muslims who convert to Christianity and in particular Catholicism due to having Muslim friends. I was reading an article on how 6 million Muslims a year convert to Christianity in Africa. I was just wondering how many of those were Catholic vs Protestant. I Dnt really hear that much about Catholic evangelization, but that’s all I ever heard as a Protestant. Do we Do it like the Protestants do and I just Dnt notice?

In the Philippines there is no Catholic evangelization by the clergy. The bulk of evangelization work is now through the efforts of laity (El Shaddai, Loved Flock, Couples for Christ, Youth for Christ, Opus Dei, etc…).

Priests do not want to wear their priestly vestments in public anymore. Catholic nuns now advice women to have a boyfriend first before entering the convent.

Want To Be A Nun? 'Have A BF First’
Source: ph.news.yahoo.com/want-nun-bf-first-141814720.html

 

[Trebor135]

In the Philippines there is no Catholic evangelization by the clergy. The bulk of evangelization work is now through the efforts of laity (El Shaddai, Loved Flock, Couples for Christ, Youth for Christ, Opus Dei, etc…).

Priests do not want to wear their priestly vestments in public anymore. Catholic nuns now advice women to have a boyfriend first before entering the convent.

Want To Be A Nun? 'Have A BF First’
Source: ph.news.yahoo.com/want-nun-bf-first-141814720.html

How discouraging… Why do you think this trend has emerged?

At least the laity are stepping up to the plate though, and since they outnumber the clergy, there’s a greater chance they can make a big impact. Are they doing outreach to Muslims or just fallen-away Catholics? (And what about Iglesia ni Kristo members, by the way?)

 

[perro_sarnoso]

We don’t evangelize like we should.

We are ashamed of calling ourselves catholics-saying mostly that we are “christians” or at worst using a new age phrase like " I believe in a higher being". We hesitate and skirt around our catholicism.

We tend to proudly say " we don’t proselitize" like a badge of honor.

With protestantism, it just rolls of the tongue…" I’m christian". It’s so much easier.

I say, " I am catholic". When someone comes back with , “well, we’re christians” I say, " well, Catholics are the original christians".

I am prepared to go the distance in any debate or argument-not by violent means or rude answers but by firm dogmatic formulas.

We may be losing the evangelization race to protestants but, not in my camp.

 

[MasterAsia]

How discouraging… Why do you think this trend has emerged?

At least the laity are stepping up to the plate though, and since they outnumber the clergy, there’s a greater chance they can make a big impact. Are they doing outreach to Muslims or just fallen-away Catholics? (And what about Iglesia ni Kristo members, by the way?)

Please do not be discouraged sir. The Catholic laity is STRONG, in fact Filipino Catholics are in the front-lines for countless of charity efforts. The Catholic faith is STRONG because Filipino Catholics serve fellow Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, and other non-believers. In terms of outreach (charity) Christians will give to Filipino Muslims. But Filipino Muslims will only give to fellow Muslims - more often than not these exclusive undertakings are logistically enclosed in Mosques.

About evangelization: There are now returning Iglesia ni Cristo member by virtue of Catholic LAITY interactions; more often than not NO clergy is involved. Also Muslim converts to Catholicism would discreetly under go under the spiritual care of LAITY organizations, as Filipino clergy is highly P.C. (Politically Correct). In this country (the Philippines), bishops are more inclined to fight for the rights of non-Catholic pursuits (leftist-communist, environment, defending our corrupt Chief Justice). Just Google the bishop who defended Muslims in building their illegal Mosque in Pasay City.

Also we Filipinos, draw inspiration from LAITY all over the world, especially those, exceptional and tireless LAITY “workers” from the United States. (e.g., Hahn, et al.)

 

[Bix]

Are we losing the race? Sadly, yes.

 

[Chuck_Finley]

I have a particular interest in Muslims who convert to Christianity and in particular Catholicism due to having Muslim friends. I was reading an article on how 6 million Muslims a year convert to Christianity in Africa. I was just wondering how many of those were Catholic vs Protestant. I Dnt really hear that much about Catholic evangelization, but that’s all I ever heard as a Protestant. Do we Do it like the Protestants do and I just Dnt notice?

If you really believe we’re Christians, then why do you see it as a competition? Why can’t you just be happy the Gospel is being preached?

Or is it that, like most Catholics, you don’t see us as Christians?

 

[Trebor135]

Or is it that, like most Catholics, you don’t see us as Christians?

At least from my reading online, the notion that Catholics are not Christian is far, far more common among Protestants (Calvinists and Zwinglians) than the notion that Protestants are not Christian is among Catholics. What led you to conclude otherwise?

 

[Bezant]

Evangelisation isn’t a “race” to bring in the most members in the fastest amount of time. Quality matters more than quanity, and it doesn’t matter if you convert the entire world in a week if most of those converts fail to make a sincere and long-term commitment. A sincere commitment requires time; that’s why RCIA lasts a few months.

That’s also why soapbox preaching, distributing pocket bibles and flyers, are rarely effective in bringing in new members, generally people who have already considered converting for a while.

 

[TrueLight]

We tend to proudly say " we don’t proselitize" like a badge of honor.

Evangelisation isn’t a “race” to bring in the most members in the fastest amount of time. Quality matters more than quanity, and it doesn’t matter if you convert the entire world in a week if most of those converts fail to make a sincere and long-term commitment.

It’s up to God to determine who is considered quality and who is not. Not us. There are a lot of hurting people waiting to hear the good news.

If you really believe we’re Christians, then why do you see it as a competition? Why can’t you just be happy the Gospel is being preached?

Or is it that, like most Catholics, you don’t see us as Christians?

The Catholic Church is the church founded by Christ.

 

[cjmclark]

In many ways, we are. In fact, we’re losing many of our own to the Evangelical movement. Dr. Norman Geisler, prominent Evangelical author and professor, says as much here when he discusses that even though a few Evangelical “eggheads” (that is, individuals who have made a deep study of theology and faith) convert to Catholicism, the Evangelical movement is “winning” because they are recruiting “tens of thousands of converts out the bottom of Catholicism” - that is, our poorly catechized brethren.

I have always kind of seen Protestantism as cheerleaders for God, whereas Catholicism is God’s debate team. Lots of folks (including the aforementioned poorly catechized Catholics) want to be told that they’re doing great and that everything is going to be okay. That message resonates better with them than the truth offered by the Church, which is that you’re not doing great (i.e., we’re all sinners), and you have a responsibility to recognize that and correct it (go to Reconciliation), but that thankfully God in His infinite mercy still loves you (and allows you to participate in His sacrifice via the Eucharist).

It never ceases to amaze me how many people leave the Church because they “don’t feel close to Jesus there.” We consume Him. You don’t get any closer than that.

 

[Tigs]

In many ways, we are. In fact, we’re losing many of our own to the Evangelical movement. Dr. Norman Geisler, prominent Evangelical author and professor, says as much here when he discusses that even though a few Evangelical “eggheads” (that is, individuals who have made a deep study of theology and faith) convert to Catholicism, the Evangelical movement is “winning” because they are recruiting “tens of thousands of converts out the bottom of Catholicism” - that is, our poorly catechized brethren.

I have always kind of seen Protestantism as cheerleaders for God, whereas Catholicism is God’s debate team. Lots of folks (including the aforementioned poorly catechized Catholics) want to be told that they’re doing great and that everything is going to be okay. That message resonates better with them than the truth offered by the Church, which is that you’re not doing great (i.e., we’re all sinners), and you have a responsibility to recognize that and correct it (go to Reconciliation), but that thankfully God in His infinite mercy still loves you (and allows you to participate in His sacrifice via the Eucharist).

It never ceases to amaze me how many people leave the Church because they “don’t feel close to Jesus there.” We consume Him. You don’t get any closer than that.

Yep. Exactly. Another difference? A Catholic receives Communion. A Protestant takes it. To my mind, a BIIIIG difference.

Being a Protestant is easy. The rules are few and open to interpretation by any and all. There is a “shade of grey” that permeates the teaching… assuming that you attend a church that actively seeks to teach. Some don’t or put marginal emphasis on it.

The thing that draws me to Catholicism is that there are clear lines and boundaries. The Catholic Church is not afraid to say, “This is right, that is not”. There is a convenient guide book- the Catechism- that has a handy index. I can look it up if need be.

The Catholic Church isn’t afraid to say, “We believe”. The Nicene Creed is clear- we (the Church as a body) believe (accept as truth) these things… Ok, ok… “we believe” has changed to “I believe”. To me, the difference is simply that now I am stating the things that I as a person and child of God believe.

As a Protestant, I was told that I could “customize” my faith as I saw fit. The only requirement was to love Christ and to accept Him as my Savior. Really? Aren’t there other requirements?

For me, the Catholic Church is the appropriate direction. For those looking for a faith that they can customize, it may not work.

Just my thoughts…

 

[kkollwitz]

What I see in the Bible Belt is that the Catholics who leave the Church are less Bible-literate, while more Bible-literate Protestants join. Our parish receives a steady stream of converts who Bible-evangelized themselves into Catholicism. None is there because of smell’n’bells.

 

[Trebor135]

What I see in the Bible Belt is that the Catholics who leave the Church are less Bible-literate, while more Bible-literate Protestants join. Our parish receives a steady stream of converts who Bible-evangelized themselves into Catholicism. None is there because of smell’n’bells.

Besides, in North America nowadays, I would hazard that most Latin Catholic parishes that celebrate the Novus Ordo Mass don’t really exemplify the smells-and-bells phenomenon very well–their services are closer in style to Protestant rather than Eastern Catholic or Orthodox worship.

 

[in_servitude]

I wonder if the race isn’t against the devil instead. When we evangelize, we take the fight into the demon’s home turf.

It feels better to me when I step back and look at the big picture.

 

[uni_embrace]

We don’t evangelize like we should.

We are ashamed of calling ourselves catholics-saying mostly that we are “christians” or at worst using a new age phrase like " I believe in a higher being". We hesitate and skirt around our catholicism.

We tend to proudly say " we don’t proselitize" like a badge of honor.

With protestantism, it just rolls of the tongue…" I’m christian". It’s so much easier.

I say, " I am catholic". When someone comes back with , “well, we’re christians” I say, " well, Catholics are the original christians".

I am prepared to go the distance in any debate or argument-not by violent means or rude answers but by firm dogmatic formulas.

We may be losing the evangelization race to protestants but, not in my camp.

Agree 100%. It is not seen as fashionable to be a Catholic but so what? Roman Catholicism has much to be pround of in music, art and history and of course being the Chruch of the first Christians. “One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church”
Why do we need to “change with the times” or “appeal to young people”? As the saying says, the more you try to please everybody you please nobody. Leave all the happy clappy music, “Christian Rock” and motivational workshops masquerading as services to the Pentecostals and Evangelicals.
The Roman Catholic history is much richer.

 

[uni_embrace]

Besides, in North America nowadays, I would hazard that most Latin Catholic parishes that celebrate the Novus Ordo Mass don’t really exemplify the smells-and-bells phenomenon very well–their services are closer in style to Protestant rather than Eastern Catholic or Orthodox worship.

Yes indeed. I often don’t even feel like I am in a Roman catholic Church…