Can the Catholic Church compete with more positive, entertaining evangelization?

[ManOnFire]

Humans generally seek to feel good and generally seek to avoid feeling badly. In our modern world of entertainment and customer service where the focus is always on making the individual feel good, how can our church of rules compete with all the feelgood messages? Some other churches seem to be “yes” churches that seem to offer enthusiasm and positivity, where our church seems more “thou shall not.” Should the church enlighten people to the difference? When it comes to forcing kids to go to school, people understand why the academic truths are important, but when it comes to faith, the truth seems to be becoming changed to grace, or feelgood positivity. Does the Truth not matter as much as feeling good? Or is Catholic Truth being discarded by some to fit pop culture’s dictates? DO most people care more about their feelings rather than truth? What would make people consider that they are following feelgood feelings rather than truth, and do people care to discern the difference?

 

[ibo]

Do not underestimate Christ’s Power. Look at some of the forces that fought against Him and were just crashed like the Religion of the Roman empire and Communism. Consumerism, bah, entertaining shows, bah, are just powerless compared to Jesus. Peanuts.

 

[Gene_Church]

Happens throughout history. Jesus’ message was not wrapped in entertainment, but truth.

 

[Catholic1954]

The Catholic Church does not have to compete with anything; we have the fullness of truth and that is sufficent. The big megaChurches with all their marching bands and dancing waters are very light in theology and big on personality led congregations, after the founding pastor moves on, these places usually close their doors.

 

[glamourdollxoxo]

I understand the traditional aspect of mass, but there are times when I want to clap and dance unto the Lord and not just sit and reflect. While I do love the traditional mass I also love services that really get you going. So I do like both of them and in college I attended mass on sundays, but on wednesday nights the Catholic church also had a college lead worship where we would sing worship songs with acoustic guitar.

 

[Singapore_Nick]

What about pentacostal groups that are winning souls thousands a day in Latin America through mass media, aggressive evangelisation, crusades ?

 

[AntalKalnoky]

The Catholic Church is the Enlightening, ideally Positive voice … of Our Lord. Evangelizing entertainers have proven not to last; “Crashing Cymbals” teachings don’t work, when the noise is interrupted by Real Needs.

 

[TrueLight]

I think we err when we assume it is all entertainment.

When I attended a megachurch, we had great musicians, but I never went for entertainment. The highlight for me was the Word of God. All the music, soloists were part of worship which prepared us for the Word of God.

By the way, I got to sing in a well-known mega choir of a megachurch. Those were one of the most spiritual parts of my life. We had an hour prayer meeting before choir practice so that we would have a humble heart and remember that we were singing to reach souls, because some souls are first attracted by music.

Just remember that for some, it is entertainment, but a large majority are spiritual people. It is not easy to see from the outside.

 

[Ron_Obvious]

I also do not believe the Catholic Church needs to compete with “feel good” churches. We have the fullness of the truth. No subjective feeling can ever trump that. There are simply some who are only exposed to these types communities and they never come to know all of the treasures that exist only in the Catholic faith. It is up to us as Catholics to share those treasures with others.

 

[AntalKalnoky]

What about pentacostal groups that are winning souls thousands a day in Latin America through mass media, aggressive evangelisation, crusades ?

The reason pentecostal groups make progress is because there are too few Catrholic Priests and Sisters in thise areas, widelly known problem. The Church is gerowing most rapidly in Africa and Asia, because that is where Vocations are4 strongest. Vocations are also up in the USA.

 

[AntalKalnoky]

I think we err when we assume it is all entertainment.

When I attended a megachurch, we had great musicians, but I never went for entertainment. The highlight for me was the Word of God. All the music, soloists were part of worship which prepared us for the Word of God.

By the way, I got to sing in a well-known mega choir of a megachurch. Those were one of the most spiritual parts of my life. We had an hour prayer meeting before choir practice so that we would have a humble heart and remember that we were singing to reach souls, because some souls are first attracted by music.

Just remember that for some, it is entertainment, but a large majority are spiritual people. It is not easy to see from the outside.

Some non-Catholics, especially some “TV Preachers” use what is classified as “entertainment draw” to solicit contributions, followers, etc. As you become Catholic, TruLight, even attending Mass now, you will find the 2,000 year Focus, Centerpiece Our Lord told the Apostles at The Last Supper: “Do This in my Remembrance”: Now called The Mass and the Real Presence Eucharist: Communion. The Hymns and the 3 Daily Bible Readings are all Centered on The Lord, His Mass and Presence. The Apostles Immediatelly began those 2 key Rites: The Heart and Soul of The Church.

• Martin Luther wrote that he never would have started the Reformation if he had seen some of the results: singing and preaching replacing the Mass. (with all due respect to our Christian brothers)

Hymns have been called one if the highest forms of prayer, by major composers, etc.

 

[PJM]

=ManOnFire;8187566]Humans generally seek to feel good and generally seek to avoid feeling badly. In our modern world of entertainment and customer service where the focus is always on making the individual feel good, how can our church of rules compete with all the feelgood messages? Some other churches seem to be “yes” churches that seem to offer enthusiasm and positivity, where our church seems more “thou shall not.” Should the church enlighten people to the difference? When it comes to forcing kids to go to school, people understand why the academic truths are important, but when it comes to faith, the truth seems to be becoming changed to grace, or feelgood positivity. Does the Truth not matter as much as feeling good? Or is Catholic Truth being discarded by some to fit pop culture’s dictates? DO most people care more about their feelings rather than truth? What would make people consider that they are following feelgood feelings rather than truth, and do people care to discern the difference?

After 2,000 years of experience…

WWJD:thumbsup:

 

[catholicgirl08]

Hi!

Yesterday a friend invited me to her church which was protestant. We had a great time with the music, people, and the evangelist that spoke. I am not sorry I went–it is always great to worship with friends. However, I love being Catholic–it makes the most sense to me. I would never change to another religion–the Catholic Church is where I belong.

I don’t think we should evangelize. It felt like they are only being nice to me so that I would change to their religion. They also rewarded people for bringing more people to the meeting. It just doesn’t seem right to me–maybe I have been a Catholic too long? lol But seriously, who would think attending a protestant church would make me think “I love being Catholic”? I am sure that was not the goal of the people in the protestant church that I attended! lol

 

[catholicgirl08]

Hi!

Yesterday a friend invited me to her church which was protestant. We had a great time with the music, people, and the evangelist that spoke. I am not sorry I went–it is always great to worship with friends. However, I love being Catholic–it makes the most sense to me. I would never change to another religion–the Catholic Church is where I belong.

It felt like they are only being nice to me so that I would change to their religion. They also rewarded people for bringing more people to the meeting. It just doesn’t seem right to me–maybe I have been a Catholic too long? lol But seriously, who would think attending a protestant church would make me think “I love being Catholic”? I am sure that was not the goal of the people in the protestant church that I attended! lol

 

[Celtic_believer]

Hi, This is only my second post since becoming a forum member. I led the singing and music for over ten years in a non-denominational church, and was minister of music in a Southern Baptist church for the last five years. I am now, by God’s grace soon to be received into the Catholic Church. I have no regrets! When I was a " worship leader" I noticed a very obvious tendency in most Protestant, evangelical churches when it came to the music ministry, and very often in the preaching as well. Many times the music and singing was very man centered rather than God centered. It was meant to entertain the flesh instead of edifying the spirit. It was designed to make one feel good instead of drawing their attention to God. I was part of this deception for a while, until the Lord opened my eyes to the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith. I remember one Sunday in particular. The worship band of which I was a part of, consisted of four singers, lead guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, keyboards, and a drummer. We were leading the congregation in of all things, a song written by Bob Dylan called " Saved". It was a fast driving rock song. Suddenly, nearly the entire congregation jumped up and started dancing in the aisles! If you didn’t know that this was supposed to be a worship service, you’d have thought it was a rock concert! At the end of the service I heard a visitor say, " I’ll come back every week if you’ll play Bob Dylan. I was so convicted by the Holy Spirit. Where was the Word of God in this? How was Christ glorified in this? He wasn’t. You’ve al heard the old saying," If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it." The Catholic Church isn’t broke! We don’t have to use the world’s methods to win people to Christ. We don’t have to entertain. Nothing can replace the truth of the Word of God, the Sacrements, and the Apostolic faith once delivered to the saints.

 

[PJM]

=catholicgirl08;8210000]Hi!

Yesterday a friend invited me to her church which was protestant. We had a great time with the music, people, and the evangelist that spoke. I am not sorry I went–it is always great to worship with friends. However, I love being Catholic–it makes the most sense to me. I would never change to another religion–the Catholic Church is where I belong.

I don’t think we should evangelize. It felt like they are only being nice to me so that I would change to their religion. They also rewarded people for bringing more people to the meeting. It just doesn’t seem right to me–maybe I have been a Catholic too long? lol But seriously, who would think attending a protestant church would make me think “I love being Catholic”? I am sure that was not the goal of the people in the protestant church that I attended! lol

Sme advice of an Old Time:

“One is FAR less likely to encounter trouble if one does not look for it”

God Bless you,
Pat

 

[Edward_H]

Protestants are seeing the great difficulty maintaining the “high” from the entertainment, coffee shops. The fall offs and migrations away are steep. Lots of Protestant churches are playing the “one upsmanship” game with little sustaining effect.

Surprising for some - but not for others - is that Catholic parishes that put the Eucharist front and center have either steady attendance or, depending on their prior state, fantastic growth rates. And this liveliness is seen not just in church attendance but in burgeoning ministries during the week. A parish that generously seeks the Eucharist - is unavoidably affected.

If a parish wants such lividness…the steps are obvious and well known.

1. 
   *]Perpetual adoration chapel. Or substantial, regular periods of Adoration. Publicizing these helps. But the Word will spread ( :>).
   *]More periods of Confession. none of this “by appointment” nonsense.
   *]More and earlier daily Mass. A 0900 daily Mass only gets the retirees and the devout Moms.
   *]More adult formation. Tough stuff. How to be a better husband. How to maintain marital chastity. How to father like St Joseph. Same subjects for women.
   *]Good high school formation.
   *]Eucharistic processions…followed by a fish fry.
   *]Encourage Marian devotions. Rosary night…followed by a short social (or not : >)
   
   Pope Benedict XVI said in response to a reporters question about how the Catholic Church can become more attractive to others, responded with this incredibly wise statement:
   

   Q-The UK, like many other Western countries – there is an issue that you have already touched on in the first answer –it is considered a secular country. There is a strong atheist movement, even for cultural reasons. However, there are also signs that religious faith, particularly in Jesus Christ, is still alive on a personal level. What can this mean for Catholics and Anglicans? Can anything be done to make the Church as an institution, more credible and attractive to everyone?

   A. – I would say that a Church that seeks to be particularly attractive is already on the wrong path, because the Church does not work for her own ends, she does not work to increase numbers and thus power. The Church is at the service of another: she serves, not for herself, not to be a strong body, rather she serves to make the proclamation of Jesus Christ accessible, the great truths and great forces of love, reconciling love that appeared in this figure and that always comes from the presence of Jesus Christ.

   In this regard, the Church does not seek to be attractive in and of herself, but must be transparent for Jesus Christ and to the extent that she is not out for herself, as a strong and powerful body in the world, that wants power, but is simply the voice of another, she becomes truly transparent for the great figure of Christ and the great truth that he has brought to humanity.

   The power of love, in this moment one listens, one accepts. The Church should not consider herself, but help to consider the other and she herself must see and speak of the other. In this sense, I think, both Anglicans and Catholics have the same simple task, the same direction to take. If both Anglicans and Catholics see that the other is not out for themselves but are tools of Christ, children of the Bridegroom, as Saint John says, if both carry out the priorities of Christ and not their own, they will come together, because at that time the priority of Christ unites them and they are no longer competitors seeking the greatest numbers, but are united in our commitment to the truth of Christ who comes into this world and so they find each other in a genuine and fruitful ecumenism."

 

[AntalKalnoky]

Hi, This is only my second post since becoming a forum member. I led the singing and music for over ten years in a non-denominational church, and was minister of music in a Southern Baptist church for the last five years. I am now, by God’s grace soon to be received into the Catholic Church. I have no regrets! When I was a " worship leader" I noticed a very obvious tendency in most Protestant, evangelical churches when it came to the music ministry, and very often in the preaching as well. Many times the music and singing was very man centered rather than God centered. It was meant to entertain the flesh instead of edifying the spirit. It was designed to make one feel good instead of drawing their attention to God. I was part of this deception for a while, until the Lord opened my eyes to the truth and beauty of the Catholic faith. I remember one Sunday in particular. The worship band of which I was a part of, consisted of four singers, lead guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, keyboards, and a drummer. We were leading the congregation in of all things, a song written by Bob Dylan called " Saved". It was a fast driving rock song. Suddenly, nearly the entire congregation jumped up and started dancing in the aisles! If you didn’t know that this was supposed to be a worship service, you’d have thought it was a rock concert! At the end of the service I heard a visitor say, " I’ll come back every week if you’ll play Bob Dylan. I was so convicted by the Holy Spirit. Where was the Word of God in this? How was Christ glorified in this? He wasn’t. You’ve al heard the old saying," If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it." The Catholic Church isn’t broke! We don’t have to use the world’s methods to win people to Christ. We don’t have to entertain. Nothing can replace the truth of the Word of God, the Sacrements, and the Apostolic faith once delivered to the saints.

:blessyou: for sharing! That is what some former Ministers, now Catholic call "Entertainment" churching. We respect everyone, hope they Find The Lord, His Church as You are. We have the proper balance: Everything Our Lord; finding True Happiness in Him; His Church. Our Assistant Music Director (after 2 heart attacks) still plays Organ for 2 other denominations at their principal service, before Playing Organ for our Sunday Gregorian Chant Tridentine Mass, (half the Choir being youth), and Funeral Masses, Weddings (No despite the rumors, they are not the same......).....:D

 

[Faithdancer]

The Catholic Church does not have to compete with anything; we have the fullness of truth and that is sufficent. The big megaChurches with all their marching bands and dancing waters are very light in theology and big on personality led congregations, after the founding pastor moves on, these places usually close their doors.

I know very little of the history of Crystal Cathedral over in the OC, or if their founding pastor moved on and the church went downhill because of that, or because of financial mismanagement, or ? But whatever the cause, it went on the market, and now it may become a Catholic Cathedral. And if it does, I don’t see how they can not use that ginormous pipe organ in the Mass, which I think would be awesome. I’ll make the hour and a half drive, for that Mass.

 

[Faithdancer]

1. 
   *]Perpetual adoration chapel. Or substantial, regular periods of Adoration. Publicizing these helps. But the Word will spread ( :>).
   *]More periods of Confession. none of this “by appointment” nonsense.
   *]More and earlier daily Mass. A 0900 daily Mass only gets the retirees and the devout Moms.
   *]More adult formation. Tough stuff. How to be a better husband. How to maintain marital chastity. How to father like St Joseph. Same subjects for women.
   *]Good high school formation.
   *]Eucharistic processions…followed by a fish fry.
   *]Encourage Marian devotions. Rosary night…followed by a short social (or not : >)
   
   Great list, right on! I would participate in all of these myself except for daily mass, unless it were in the evenings (I’m a substitute teacher, usually at work by 7:30). Also love the quote from Pope Benedict XVI (next Doctor of the Church, I say!).
   
   p.s. bring back the fish fry, now! Wish I could say that in Latin!