M
McCartney
Guest
An ex-Catholic friend of mine is becoming a Pentecostal Minister. Can I attend the function? What present can I give?
- Status
R
retire_early
Guest
He’s not really an “ex-Catholic”. He is a lapsed Catholic.
You’re going to celebrate his repudiation of your (and his own) faith? How very…broad-minded of you. I cannot see how that is something to celebrate by joining the ceremony or validate his error by gifting him with some memento.
If it was me, I would be kind to him, but quietly and without fanfare explain that you, as a practicing Catholic, could only be regretful that he has turned his back on his faith and the faith tradition you cherish.
Doesn’t mean you can’t still be friends, but friends don’t always have to support their friends choices.
You’re going to celebrate his repudiation of your (and his own) faith? How very…broad-minded of you. I cannot see how that is something to celebrate by joining the ceremony or validate his error by gifting him with some memento.
If it was me, I would be kind to him, but quietly and without fanfare explain that you, as a practicing Catholic, could only be regretful that he has turned his back on his faith and the faith tradition you cherish.
Doesn’t mean you can’t still be friends, but friends don’t always have to support their friends choices.
U
Used2beSherryG
Guest
I would give him a copy of the catechism of the catholic church.
K
KEP1983
Guest
And maybe something on the Early Church Fathers tooI would give him a copy of the catechism of the catholic church.
P
PaulfromIowa
Guest
Becoming a Pentecostal minister is not inherently sinful, unless he is preaching anti-Catholicism. Leaving the Catholic Church for a Protestant group is, objectively speaking, from the Catholic point of view, a sin, although we can hope that those who do so are invincibly ignorant.
Should you attend this ordination/commissioning ceremony? If he or his group preaches anti-Catholicism, the answer is obvious. Otherwise, it is really a matter of prudential judgment.
Should you attend this ordination/commissioning ceremony? If he or his group preaches anti-Catholicism, the answer is obvious. Otherwise, it is really a matter of prudential judgment.
C
Corki
Guest
Participating in a simulated sacrament is gravely sinful. If this is an “ordination” that is what is happening and you should not be involved.
T
twf
Guest
I don’t think this applies. Pentecostalism has no concept of sacraments - at least not in the Catholic sense of the word. And while they do practice baptism and communion (and SOME, though certainly not all, may see these rites as more than mere symbols), they would definitely have no concept of the sacrament of holy orders. I doubt whether this Pentecostal group even uses the term “ordain”.
I would tend to think that while the OP should likely not attend the ceremony, he should continue the friendship and perhaps nudge this ex-Catholic turned Pentecostal minister towards this site…and/or other online apologetics materials
F
FabiusMaximus
Guest
They don’t, Pentecostals believe in the* priesthood of all believers*, and generally reject holy orders as understood by the Catholic Church.I don’t think this applies. Pentecostalism has no concept of sacraments - at least not in the Catholic sense of the word. And while they do practice baptism and communion (and SOME, though certainly not all, may see these rites as more than mere symbols), they would definitely have no concept of the sacrament of holy orders. I doubt whether this Pentecostal group even uses the term “ordain”.
I would tend to think that while the OP should likely not attend the ceremony, he should continue the friendship and perhaps nudge this ex-Catholic turned Pentecostal minister towards this site…and/or other online apologetics materials
G
gazelam
Guest
Since Catholics are allowed to attend worship services of other faiths, why would this particular ceremony be specifically forbidden?
T
twf
Guest
It wouldn’t be in and of itself. The issue here is whether doing so would affirm the actions of the OP’s friend who is a fallen away Catholic, not a cradle Pentecostal. If and when my mom is confirmed Lutheran, I would go to support her (this may be happening)- she never was Catholic and conservative Lutheran is much closer to Catholicism than the Evangelicalism of previous years… But if a friend left the Catholic Church and became Lutheran, I’m not sure I would be comfortable attending the confirmation rite- he or she was already confirmed Catholic.
I
IgnatianPhilo
Guest
How does one become a pentecostal minister? Ordination? Self proclaimed authority?
L
ltwin
Guest
It depends. There is no single Pentecostal denomination, we are more of a movement or a “denominational family.”
Within the mainstream evangelical Pentecostal denominations (such as Assemblies of God, Church of God, and Pentecostal Holiness Church, etc.) there is a process that includes some form of training (this could be seminary, Bible college, other informal course, or being self-taught) and evaluation by denominational officials.
For example, the Assemblies of God recognizes three classifications of ministers: certified, licensed, and ordained. Certified ministers are essentially in training and you have to be a licensed minister for 2 years before you can be ordained. District councils (sort of like dioceses) examine candidates for all levels of ministry and recommend those qualified to the Executive Presbytery (a national leadership body), which has authority to issue ministerial credentials. The AG’s constitution guarantees that “formal academic achievement (diploma or degree) shall not be a requirement for credentials”, but the General Presbytery does mandate courses and examinations.
In preparation for receiving credentials, applicants must either complete correspondence courses through Global University (the AG’s distance education program), receive training through a postsecondary institution such as a college or seminary approved by the AG, or be recommended by a district credentials committee as qualifying for credentials based on self-study and ministerial experience of “substantial duration”.
In addition, applicants must pass a standardized exam that tests their knowledge of the Bible, AG doctrines, and ministerial practices. After passing the exam, they are interviewed by their district’s credentials committee. If judged qualified, the district will recommend the applicant to the Executive Presbytery.
There will usually be some kind of ordination service. Even though we believe in the priesthood of all believers, we also believe strongly in a divinely called and ordained ministry whose job is to perfect the saints for the work of the ministry. This public ordination service will typically involve prayer and the laying on of hands.
L
ltwin
Guest
Do you know what Pentecostal church your friend is being ordained in? Assemblies of God, Church of God, Pentecostal Holiness, Church of God in Christ, Foursquare? There are many groups out there.
T
twf
Guest
Some groups go beyond this with Apostles, Prophets, and the like. My wife is from a Pentecostal background in the Dominican Republic (though now in Canada she attends a more mainstream evangelical megachurch). They were regularly visited by apostles, prophets, and prophetesses from the US, and their congregation of thousands was under the authority of a senior apostle in Miami. There was definitely a very clear hierarchy. At one point the senior pastor in Santo Domingo was “promoted” (that’s the term my wife used, at least when translated into English) from “pastor” to “apostle” which gave him greater authority. This movement seems to be huge…at least in Latin America…megachurches with tens of thousands of followers all over the place. One visiting prophetess from the US walked around the church shouting “BAM!” as she waved her hand, and each time she waved her hand and shouted BAM! a whole row of people would instantly collapse, “slain in the spirit” by her prophetic authority. It honestly disturbed me and I am very relieved my wife is now more mainstream evangelical.
M
McCartney
Guest
No I don’t. She once called me to attend a service and told me I could sit at the back. I asked her why I would want to go to the Pentecostal church when I belonged to the one true Church. This started an argument when I kept asking her why she left the Catholic Church and which doctrine hit her so hard that she had to leave the Catholic Church (I know a very big secret about her). After that she has being going out of her way to praise the Catholic Church whenever she gets the chance.
P
Padres1969
Guest
I’d give her something Christian. A nice cross maybe? If there’s a Christian store nearby I’d just peruse it and see if anything sticks out to you as appropriate for her. As an ex-Catholic myself I’ve found that the understanding of those that are still Catholic can be very helpful. Specifically the acceptance that I haven’t repudiated the Christian faith, and that they’re happy for me in that respect, that I’m still a fellow Christian. I’m sure your friend will appreciate the same
.
S
SyroMalankara
Guest
Australia? Possibly Hillsong. If so, they are theologically anti-Catholic. Many ex-Caths will use that status to promote their ‘ministry’, how they are knowledgeable about ‘real’ Catholicism and why they left and so should you.
C
ComplineSanFran
Guest
Don’t give a Bible; many do by default because they can’t think of anything else to give. Books are good if you know what he/she already has or doesn’t have.
I often give an anointing vial that contains oil. You can find them in religious book stores or online.
- Status