Calling all non-Catholics (In honor of OS)

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The Catholic Church, in light of dwindling attendance, if not membership, is considering a door-to-door conversion campaign. Where there are nuns, they will head up the campaign, doing most doorbell ringing. Where there are no nuns, volunteers will be trained and then sent out to the parishes neighborhoods to spread the “Good News”.

Would you be open to having the nuns or volunteers discuss with you in your home the truth of Catholicism with the express purpose of converting you?
 
I would.

Considering myself a Christian and having participated in door-to-door evangelism, there’s several things to consider in preparation for such an endeavour, as I’m sure the Catholic Church is aware. There’s the usual precautions of going to each dwelling two-by-two, especially for women, and perhaps in a larger group working the same parish neighbourhod, being respectful of whatever circumstance one may find the nonexpectant prospect, and having a bit of a plan not to get too tied down to one visit in a home with someone who, while yet in need of attention, may better be served by a more lengthy follow-up than the initial declaration of the Gospel and Catholic truths.

My own Presbyterian denomination has rather preferred a method of ‘friendship evangelism’, first made popular in the 70’s by Evangelism Explosion from Dr. D. James Kennedy out of Coral Ridge, Florida. And I, for one, think the Mormons have been very successful by their more commercialized attempts through the airways and the gifting of Bibles. The door-to-door visitations as hallmarked of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the leaving of their colourful Watchtower magazine publications The Watchtower and Awake have also met with considerable ‘success’, though I’m sure the Catholic Church is able to brand their visits in a more culturally acceptable presentation and warm conveyance of divine apparition.

Again, I’m one to think the traditional garb of habit and robe might be used to great effect, though the donning of rosaries and guitars might be equally impressive. From Catholic concerns, I think you’d almost want to appear at the door as an obvious stained-glass window of joy and hope, rather than a Father come to exorcise the evil presence from a home. Still, I’ve personally never been a fan of some of the measures which have nevertheless worked for the Baptists and many a mega-church - a sort of a bait-and-switch philosophy of drawing the masses in by entertainment (‘honey’, if you would) and then clobbering them with an equal dose of perdition (‘vinegar’).

I wouldn’t convert to RC regardless, being rather firm in my Reformed theology, but I’d be most open to a visit from Catholics, especially since I’ve already had a few of them in my home for ecumenical Bible study, and rejoice in any opportunity of “Good News”.
 
What do you mean by OS? Original Sin?:confused:

From what I have been reading about nuns in the paper lately, I think I would first check to see if they were loyal to church teachings before talking to them about church teachings.

But, if I had time to chat with them I certainly would. When will they be coming by? I’ve never seen this kind of thing in my life, or heard about it.
 
kalt said:
The Catholic Church, in light of dwindling attendance, if not membership, is considering a door-to-door conversion campaign. Where there are nuns, they will head up the campaign, doing most doorbell ringing. Where there are no nuns, volunteers will be trained and then sent out to the parishes neighborhoods to spread the “Good News”.

Would you be open to having the nuns or volunteers discuss with you in your home the truth of Catholicism with the express purpose of converting you?
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Of course I welcome it! But what happens if some of the nuns or other Catholics become Protestants in their campaign, since they will be sharing with other Christians who are not Catholic? I used to enjoy going door to door with my church too. I know of a door to door Catholic ministry that occurred about 12 years ago in southern CA. The leader of that group was inspired by Catholic Answers, and the group passed out Catholic Answers tracts. However, their mission was really about bringing ex-Catholics back to the Catholic Church. They chose to pass by Evangelicals since they felt that was proselytizing.
 
StrawberryJam said:
What do you mean by OS? Original Sin?:confused:

From what I have been reading about nuns in the paper lately, I think I would first check to see if they were loyal to church teachings before talking to them about church teachings.

But, if I had time to chat with them I certainly would. When will they be coming by? I’ve never seen this kind of thing in my life, or heard about it.
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O.S. Luke. He had a similar post recently, telling Catholics that titles like mine (I use a version of it frequently, I think) are nothing but baiting. Actually, it’s just a way to let users know that the question is directed to non-Catholics.
 
2nd_Adam said:
Of course I welcome it! But what happens if some of the nuns or other Catholics become Protestants in their campaign, since they will be sharing with other Christians who are not Catholic?
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I think (I pray) that anyone trained for these type of “missions” will be properly catechized, so I don’t think this is likely. 🙂 I don’t think anyone who truly understands the beauty and the fullness of the Apostolic Church would be converted in this process. Just my 2 cents
 
Cominghome89 said:
I think (I pray) that anyone trained for these type of “missions” will be properly catechized, so I don’t think this is likely. 🙂 I don’t think anyone who truly understands the beauty and the fullness of the Apostolic Church would be converted in this process. Just my 2 cents
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I think that’s not an honest assessment. Catholics and Protestants are always moving back and forth between the two Christian communities. For example, many of the Catholic Answers apologists are ex-Protestants, and the Catholic leader of ECT was Lutheran. Now, there are probably more Catholics who left the Catholic Church and now belong to a Protestant church than the other way around.

Heck, when I used to bump into my friend leading the Catholic door to door ministry, he would hand out Catholic Answer books about Protestants converting to the Catholic Faith. I would go to the same door and hand out books in which Priests and nuns who became Protestants.
 
Which is why I specified that this is unlikely with properly catechized Catholics. I’m not disputing that many Catholics end up converting to various Protestant denominations, I simply doubt that most really ever understood the Church they left.
 
Cominghome89 said:
Which is why I specified that this is unlikely with properly catechized Catholics. I’m not disputing that many Catholics end up converting to various Protestant denominations, I simply doubt that most really ever understood the Church they left.
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I would encourage all Christians to participate on a door to door ministry team, regardless of being Catholic or Protestant.
 
I agree. Too many people simply do not know Jesus Christ today. The Good News does need to be spread.

Peace and blessings,
Frank
 
Well, I have had JWs come to our door, and had one visit from Mormons. Also a visit from Presbyterians.

I would be surprized to see Catholics. They would really have quite a job in most cases. Everyone has been tempered by dealing with all the others.

In one neighborhood were I lived the Catholic kids would sell chocolate to everyone, but they would not discuss religion.

I have no plans to become a member of any religious organization. If I had to become a member of something I would probably choose The Society of Friends, the Quakers. But I would only become a Quaker because conversion to Judaism would be too difficult.

Each religious group carries with it a strong element of culture, and like judaism, catholicism makes heavy demands.
 
geometer said:
Well, I have had JWs come to our door, and had one visit from Mormons. Also a visit from Presbyterians.

I would be surprized to see Catholics. They would really have quite a job in most cases. Everyone has been tempered by dealing with all the others.

In one neighborhood were I lived the Catholic kids would sell chocolate to everyone, but they would not discuss religion.

I have no plans to become a member of any religious organization. If I had to become a member of something I would probably choose The Society of Friends, the Quakers. But I would only become a Quaker because conversion to Judaism would be too difficult.

Each religious group carries with it a strong element of culture, and like judaism, catholicism makes heavy demands.
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Maybe that makes both Judaism and Catholicism more powerful in the scope of things. The heavier the demands are, the better odds for longevity. Wishy washy changeable groups fade quickly.
 
StrawberryJam said:
Maybe that makes both Judaism and Catholicism more powerful in the scope of things. The heavier the demands are, the better odds for longevity. Wishy washy changeable groups fade quickly.
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Well, the Pygmies are a relatively small group that God has cared for longer than Jews or Christians. They are pure anarchists. They do not allow any rule making, so they have never had any specialist among them. No chiefs, priests, doctors, lawyers, etc…:cool:
 
geometer said:
Well, the Pygmies are a relatively small group that God has cared for longer than Jews or Christians. They are pure anarchists. They do not allow any rule making, so they have never had any specialist among them. No chiefs, priests, doctors, lawyers, etc…:cool:
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And, this is why the Pygmies are a relatively small group.😉
 
geometer said:
You are right about that, but they really have staying power. In the most ancient writings of Egypt the Pygmies are mentioned.
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Ahh, a “remant” of sorts.😃

You are a very interesting person geometer. Thanks for being you.
 
kalt said:
The Catholic Church, in light of dwindling attendance, if not membership, is considering a door-to-door conversion campaign.
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When did this happen?
Would you be open to having the nuns or volunteers discuss with you in your home the truth of Catholicism with the express purpose of converting you?
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Absolutely.
 
kalt said:
Would you be open to having the nuns or volunteers discuss with you in your home the truth of Catholicism with the express purpose of converting you?
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Yes but if they went to discuss in the homes of those who do not know Christ, I would actively support them.
 
kalt said:
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Would you be open to having the nuns or volunteers discuss with you in your home the truth of Catholicism with the express purpose of converting you?
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No, I wouldn’t.

If someone would try it, I would be offended. Therefore, I think you took a good approach to tell it in advance.
 
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