Catholics Converting to Evangelical: More Fun and Happy

[Pius_X]

kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=NzgzMTU4MzY5

A lot of catholic faithful have join the evangelicals Church, which they say is more lively and entertaining. Some are lured with the heart throb preaching, music and other family programs the new churches are introducing to promote peace and happiness.

It is happening here! there is fun and happiness here," Joel Mark, a Filipino ex-Catholic yelled at the NECK premises of the Evangelical church in Kuwait City. The social, lively and enthralling nature of the Evangelical churches are luring many people away from Catholicism. “The band and singers are here to lift your spirit up, men! I mean, it is cool,” Mark continued as he jumped around clapping and dancing to the glory of God.

I believe that it is our own Church’s responsibility to try to keep people in the faith. Perhaps more folk masses, or, letting the people pick from a list of songs that they want to sing at mass. I am not advocating a free for all, however, why not allow more participation from the people in picking music suitable for the liturgy?

 

[Scottgun]

kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=NzgzMTU4MzY5

I believe that it is our own Church’s responsibility to try to keep people in the faith. Perhaps more folk masses, or, letting the people pick from a list of songs that they want to sing at mass. I am not advocating a free for all, however, why not allow more participation from the people in picking music suitable for the liturgy?

With a name like Pius X, I can’t help but think you are having a little fun with us.

 

[Pius_X]

With a name like Pius X, I can’t help but think you are having a little fun with us.

I’m not. I chose Pius as my confirmation name for various reasons, not because I am a part of the traditionalist movement.

 

[tom.wineman]

Anybody that would leave the church because he wants better entertainment and fun stuff certainly doesn’t know what the Mass is all about.

 

[Scottgun]

Ok, basically we don’t go for the entertainment factor, we go to worship God and offer our *best. *Cheesy music isn’t our best. We also stick with the Church because it is unwavering on doctrine, whereas many of these going out are not leaving because the lack of entertainment, but because of inability or unwillingness to live up to the teachings. And unfortunately many parishes are unwilling to proclaim those teachings which makes the Church look like every other I’m-OK-you’re-OK denomination out there.

 

[Pius_X]

Then has the church failed in showing the importance of the Eucharist? We have to face reality: Liturgy can be boring in some places. If the leaders of the Catholic community do not make a “big deal” out of the liturgy, then how can we expect the average church goer to think the Eucharist is important?

 

[Scottgun]

Then has the church failed in showing the importance of the Eucharist? We have to face reality: Liturgy can be boring in some places. If the leaders of the Catholic community do not make a “big deal” out of the liturgy, then how can we expect the average church goer to think the Eucharist is important?

You absolutely right on this point. The Eucharist IS the whole point and believing in the true body an blood of Christ in the sacrament is vital. But this is acheived by making the liturgy more solemn and reverent, not more flashy and entertaining.

 

[Pius_X]

You absolutely right on this point. The Eucharist IS the whole point and believing in the true body an blood of Christ in the sacrament is vital. But this is acheived by making the liturgy more solemn and reverent, not more flashy and entertaining.

Music can be “flashy” and reverent at the same time.

 

[Cobbfmly]

Then has the church failed in showing the importance of the Eucharist? We have to face reality: Liturgy can be boring in some places. If the leaders of the Catholic community do not make a “big deal” out of the liturgy, then how can we expect the average church goer to think the Eucharist is important?

My 12 yr old daughter and I recently went to a different parish for mass. After mass we were talking about the music, which she liked much more than at our parish music and I disliked the music (too folksy and they sang the Our Father). Concerned that she may be putting too much importance on the music, I asked her “What one thing being missing from the mass would it no longer be mass?” She answer “The Eucharist. That’s a stupid question.”

Personally, I like music I can sing (beat and key) and that makes my soul feel like it is exclaiming the glory of God.

 

[francesco920]

Anybody that would leave the church because he wants better entertainment and fun stuff certainly doesn’t know what the Mass is all about.

You absolutely right on this point. The Eucharist IS the whole point and believing in the true body an blood of Christ in the sacrament is vital. But this is acheived by making the liturgy more solemn and reverent, not more flashy and entertaining.

AMEN! and AMEN!

Catechesis is the problem, in my opinion. Catholics don’t know their faith. Better catechesis would help improve a lot of things, especially the liturgy. You can’t have reverence if you don’t know/understand what’s going on or Whom you’re revering or the significance of certain rituals (for lack of a better word.)

I have heard never heard of a well-catechized Catholic leaving the Eucharist, Confession, the fullness of truth, and all that other good stuff for flashy music and entertainment.

Music can be “flashy” and reverent at the same time.

This is my opinion, but “flashy” music isn’t reverent in the sense of what Catholics have considered reverent for 2000 years. I should also note that the Protestants of centuries past would not have dared using the type of music that is often found in Protestant worship today. I’m not saying flashy music is bad or evil, but it just doesn’t rise to that standard of reverence and solemnity set by tradition. When the type of music at Mass is the same of music people listen to everyday on the radio, then that is a problem. It makes the Mass too worldly/casual and not very heavenly/solemn. It shows that the music is chosen because it is first and foremost pleasing/appealing to us, not because we are trying to do our best to worship the Almighty King. That is, the music reflects our personal liking or what is currently popular. By being tied to the likes and dislikes of a particular time, this type of music doesn’t communicate the transcendence of God because it constantly needs to be changed and adapted to fit the current tastes.

I think that a lot of this has to do with the loss of the sense of the sacred, in my opinion.

 

[po18guy]

I believe Catholics that leave do not understand or comprehend the Eucharist. They are as the seeds sown on rocky soil-they sprang up at once, but withered due to lack of roots. Catholics of weak faith or who are losing their faith seek “entertaining” denominations. Those of other denominations who seek the joy of the Lord, the fullness of truth, and a deepening and maturing relationship with God are drawn to the Catholic church.

Christ’s peace to all.

 

[Scottgun]

My 12 yr old daughter and I recently went to a different parish for mass. After mass we were talking about the music, which she liked much more than at our parish music and I disliked the music (too folksy and they sang the Our Father). Concerned that she may be putting too much importance on the music, I asked her “What one thing being missing from the mass would it no longer be mass?” She answer “The Eucharist. That’s a stupid question.”

Personally, I like music I can sing (beat and key) and that makes my soul feel like it is exclaiming the glory of God.

Out of the mouths if babes, and I have a similar anecdote. I was randomly scanning on the radio when it stopped on some Gregorian chant. My four-year old said, “That sounds like church.” The funny thing is, my son has never heard gregorian chant in church, or seen it on TV in a church or what have you. Chant and liturgy are intrisicly bound together.

 

[nilofc]

If they want entertainment, tell them to go to Las Vegas or Six Flags?

The protestant churches’ need to entertain people constantly is the life of their worship, there’s always that need, otherwise people will seek other denominations, sad, if you ask me. Everything is based on the individual’s “feeling” and mood.

In the Mass, utmost solemnity and reverence is required since heaven comes down on us and all angels and saints celebrate the mystery of the Eucharist with us.

Each time you feel bored at the mass, it’s because you don’t understand the significance of each part. The mass is NOT about you, it’s about God in the Holy Eucharist.

So next time you seek for entertainment, buy a 60 inch HDTV instead.

 

[katy]

And I have disliked folk music at Mass since before I was Catholic. Even as a teenager and went with friends, or in college. Even tho I had Peter, Paul, and Mary etc. as personal favorites.

 

[Pius_X]

Each time you feel bored at the mass, it’s because you don’t understand the significance of each part. The mass is NOT about you, it’s about God in the Holy Eucharist.

1. I understand what is going on, and I like knowing what each word is. However, there is nothing worse than having to listen to horrid music as the collection is taken up, for example.
2. The liturgy is not about me, no, it is about the Eucharist, however, Jesus instituted the Eucharist for us. Let’s face it: everyone has their preferences. Many that want Gregorian Chant want it because they like it. Yes, it was the tradition, however, that does nto exclude new traditions that may be developed through the Holy Spirit.

 

[cecilia97]

If they want entertainment, tell them to go to Las Vegas or Six Flags?

The protestant churches’ need to entertain people constantly is the life of their worship, there’s always that need, otherwise people will seek other denominations, sad, if you ask me. Everything is based on the individual’s “feeling” and mood.

Makes me wonder when worship became connected with entertainment? Like you say…if church isn’t entertaining enough, go out to a show afterwards!

I have a dear friend who sings at a contemporary worship service. The music is great and the people are warm and welcoming (and I don’t doubt they have real faith in Christ), but I wonder when I visit…do they add all these feelings to the worship because, in their heart of hearts, they know something (the Eucharist) is missing?

I think once you understand the importance of the Eucharist, it wouldn’t matter how boring Mass got, a bomb couldn’t blast you out of that church!

 

[Gene_Church]

Pius,

Jesus attracted a following of apostles and disciples, many young, not because they had great entertainment, but because they understood the importance of commitment and sacrifice. And the early Church thrived not because of great entertainment, but because of the desire to receive the Body of Christ.

 

[Beachcomber]

The church growth movement in Protestant churches puts a great emphasis on music and entertainment to get people to attend, and so spur church growth. (for example, the Purpose Driven Church). I’ve been to churches that do this and find that much of the time, the preaching is over-simple and shallow.

People that only leave the Church for the more entertaining evangelical churches, don’t have a mature understanding of the Mass and the Eucharist and what it all means. It is to worship God, not be enterained or amused on a natural level.

 

[scylla]

They say that men are lacking in attending the Mass, if I put in some topless dancers I sure it would be more fun and there would be happy men lined up to get in. Throw in a few chippendales dancers for the ladies and I got a full church with people not wanting to leave.

This of course is a joke, but an example of what do we need to focus on…

I agree with the original poster, music in Catholic Churches these days many times is pretty crummy. It is 70’s style, hokey music that feels blah. It drives me nuts sometimes as the music is lame and the feel good liturgy committee keeps trying to find new ways to entertain us, but since they are all about 65 years old they are into the hippy type Catholicism.

They love the felt banners, the dancing around like fairies, etc, etc…

What do we really need instead of this mess we are in right now?
No one really likes how the Mass is done, when it is done this way, do they?
They either want to change it more (more happy clappy) or make it more reverent, but is anyone happy with the way it is done in many parishes?

God Bless
Scylla

 

[Beachcomber]

They say that men are lacking in attending the Mass, if I put in some topless dancers I sure it would be more fun and there would be happy men lined up to get in. Throw in a few chippendales dancers for the ladies and I got a full church with people not wanting to leave.

This of course is a joke, but an example of what do we need to focus on…

I agree with the original poster, music in Catholic Churches these days many times is pretty crummy. It is 70’s style, hokey music that feels blah. It drives me nuts sometimes as the music is lame and the feel good liturgy committee keeps trying to find new ways to entertain us, but since they are all about 65 years old they are into the hippy type Catholicism.

They love the felt banners, the dancing around like fairies, etc, etc…

What do we really need instead of this mess we are in right now?
No one really likes how the Mass is done, when it is done this way, do they?
They either want to change it more (more happy clappy) or make it more reverent, but is anyone happy with the way it is done in many parishes?

God Bless
Scylla

On the other hand, I agree with you, too.

When I started back to Mass after 30 years away from the Church, I discovered that the music hadn’t changed all that much. The liturgy committee in the church I attend seems to refugees from the late '60s, early '70s.