Catholics Converting to Non Denominational

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In general we might say that the typical non-denom church has just 2 or 3 “sacraments” - prayer, bible study and baptism. Baptism is a done-once thing, so for ongoing “means of grace”, they have just the two. The good that might come forth from this relative “poverty” of sacrament, is perhaps it can create believers who REALLY know their bible and REALLY have good prayer lives. There are many other big reasons I returned to Catholicism, but I will never fault the passion and depth with which many non-denom believers do bible study and prayer. I so wish the body of Christ was one. We could benefit from their fire and passion, and they could benefit from the stabilizing influence of the magisterium to keep the ship from veering into strange waters. Lord, make us one!
 
They are the fastest growing because they can appeal to anyone, as they have no creed, and they are community centers, services are entertaining, and they preach feel-good messages. I think a lot of Catholics that go non-denom are relieved to be away from feeling “catholic guilt” since there are no hard teachings in these churches and as most non denominational churches teach that as long as you believe in Jesus you are saved. Also it’s a way to leave the Catholic Church without committing to another denomination. It’s just “Christian”.
 
Also the ones in my area draw people in with their image and marketing. They are very hip and cool and NOW. Zero theology, even if you manage to take something away from the sermons. My daughter’s best friend goes to a large local non-denom church and the youth services are literally a rock concert, complete with dancing. No instruction, learning or bible study or anything like that. I am completely serious. I personally think these large entertaining non-denim churches are a spiritual trap.
 
Many of the non-denominational churches are very friendly. I know a lot of Catholics seem to be introverts and value their time alone with God at Mass and do not want to chat with anyone before or after Mass (and of course, not during!).

Considering that loneliness is one of the biggest problems many people suffer from, it’s not surprising that when people cant make friends at their Catholic parish, they look elsewhere.
 
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Hope1960 said:
what’s going to happen to the Catholic Church? Will it’s members age, pass away and make the Church obsolete?
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We are raising up faith filled families. We are welcoming converts and reverts in droves. We stretch all around the globe and farther through history than most. I’m not worried about our future.
 
I just saw an ad here in town about this hot new non Denom Church…that is supposedly changing how church is thought of. They have “fun”…it’s crowded… loud like a rock concert and the population is younger people. All I could do is shake my head. To me, this is not worship it is entertainment. Anyway, I know God can reach anyone, anywhere, even in a rock concert. So to each his own. I hope they get something out of it.

I am someone who became a non denom Christian in 2003 after being agnostic my entire life. Now I have been a confirmed Catholic for a few years so I can give you my honest opinion on this.

Not all non denom Churches are cut from the same cloth. My grandmother’s non denom Church holds Communion to be sacred and they sort of believe in a real presence. It’s very orderly with solid preaching…almost liturgical. The non denom Church I went to had 20,000 members. You go there and sort of get lost in your own bubble as it’s a mega Church where it seems most kept to themselves. After years of being there off and on, I think I had Communion twice . To them, it’s a symbolic ordinance. It was a ton of singing followed by a 35-40 minute sermon which was usually part of a sermon series they were selling to the public. Oh, and plenty of guilt shaming that if you dont give 10% you are “robbing God”(quote from Malachi)

So the big difference between the two is Jesus. The RCC has Jesus at the center of every Mass, everywhere in the world in the Eucharist. The non-Denom Church I attended had the pulpit and preacher at the center. Granted, he preached gospel but because of the nature of their service, this can be negative. I saw one service where all they did was beg for money the whole time to payoff their mortgage. They seemed to sensationalize prayer…when you went to the Narthex to receive prayer, a camera might be stuck in your face during this intimate moment.

On the other hand, the Catholic Church typically lacks in solid preaching and faith formation. The homilies are often dry toast. I still occasionally listen to a few protestant pastors from time to time. Take the good that they say and throw out the stuff I think they are off on doctrinally.

I have seen far too many Catholics who don’t know their faith. It just has not been properly explained and they dont take the time to learn. I helped out with RCIA last year and we had a group of Catholics at our table who were asked to search for 2nd Corinthians in their bibles…and every one of them started sifting through the OT to try and find it. :confused:

So, the Non Denom folks give you Gospel message, but unfortunately it’s not complete and they can veer off to far in one direction or another. The RCC gives you a complete message(Eucharist, Communion of Saints,etc) But they dont deliver it very well and people get confused.
 
All I know is that our parish has a record number of attendance nowadays, including very many young people and new converts.
I don’t care how boring my eight track player is. If it gives me the Eucharist, I’m all in. Can’t get that anywhere else.
 
TC3033 said:
Eh, agree to disagree (and as someone who’s non-denominational I find that very uncharitable as well). My wife (who is Catholic) really likes my church and the ability to take something away from the sermon to think about for the week. We find that very “nutritious and sustaining”, maybe that’s just us.
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No, it’s not just you two. The vast majority of homilies have nothing for me to relate to and I’ve practically forgotten them by Communion.
 
Lenten_ashes said:
I saw one service where all they did was beg for money the whole time to payoff their mortgage.
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I’ve listened to more than one homily, at more than one Catholic Church, where the priest did nothing but beg for money. The last time was at a neighboring parish to mine when they wanted money for a nice, new organ.
 
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If people are going out there to worship God, that’s probably a good thing, even though there are many churches. Look at it more as a pot being stirred, as people attend and experience different churches. Finally they will settle on one, probably. I became Catholic a couple of years ago and knew it was the place for me. Before Easter, we all went down to the cathedral to meet the Bishop. We filled the cathedral to overflowing on two consecutive Sundays. This doesn’t sound like no interest in the Catholic church. I think we need to have faith that people going around will be coming back around, as will new people. The goodness, truth, and quality of the Catholic church will speak for itself, in my opinion. I think that in time, more people will be joining–or rejoining–than leaving. It’s one of those pendulum things. It might be swinging away from us now, but I expect it to swing back.
 
Hope1960 said:
Will it’s members age, pass away and make the Church obsolete?
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Seriously? In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said the gates of Hades will never prevail against it, (the Church. The only one He created.)

The Bible studies in non-denominational churches go around in circles. This was clear to me as a 14 year old in my parents church. They never found the true answers. A lot of hypotheses and guessing and making the Bible mean what they want it to mean, that’s all.

The non-denominationalists have biscotti and coffee during their church. I have something else in my bread and cup, and it keeps me going.
 
Hi. I am new here and I don’t know how to start a conversation. I am a Catholic who attended numerous non Catholic church services since High School (a non Catholic school) and due to family and friends invites but I am a Catholic by heart and of course, I attend mass from my local Catholic church. I am just open to the diversity of religions and how we can try to co-exist. In a span of a month and a half, I have had 5 invites (2 Sundays and 3 Fridays) to a non Catholic church by a person I met at school and her friend but I already made sure that they know I am a Catholic but open to diveristy. The same person said that she isn’t trying to convert me so I believed her. One Sunday, I was asked why I wasn’t able to come and answered with I had some other things to do but I already attended an early mass held at a Catholic Church. She was like, “you still attend Catholic services? Catholicism is a different thing”. I was hurt because she became a good friend but made such a remark. How am I going to deal with this? Thank you.

PS. I am a Catholic and not planning to convert.
 
Hope1960 said:
The vast majority of homilies have nothing for me to relate to and I’ve practically forgotten them by Communion.
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In the case that has happened to me, I tend to blame myself for not properly preparing for mass. Pre-reading the readings and meditating on them goes a long way.
 
Lenten Ashes thought a non-Catholic pastor begging for money during his sermon was pathetic enough to be mentioned in her (his?) post but when priests do it it’s not worth mentioning anymore?
 
Hardly. I live in St. Louis, am a cradle Catholic who left the Church for quite a few years, then returned 12+ years ago. And I attended a Catholic school for 8 years.
 
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His

And the begging lasted like a whole hour.

I’ve seen the push for money in our parish, but homilies typically dont exceed 15 minutes so its more tolerable.
 
The sermon at the non denom church I went to Saturday was about 35 or so minutes. They didn’t beg, or even mention money. In fact, they didn’t even take up a collection at all, but instead have boxes in the church and lobby where you can drop in your donation. The Catholic priest who was begging for money the last time, wasn’t at my parish but I’m sure he’d accept my money. And let’s not even talk about the number of times (haven’t actually counted) they take up two collections instead of one. Or the Catholic Appeal video we’re required to watch where the goal is…money.
 
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