Christian Churches Are Funner?

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Am I reading this thread title correctly? “Funner?” LOL…Wow. This teacher’s English sensibilities are spinning! :confused:😃
 
singh said:
How would you answer a catholic co-worker who says catholic mass is very mundane, compared to the other Christian denominations? He has been attending christian services lately, the most recent one having actor Jim Caviezel (Passion of the Christ) as the speaker.

My co-worker thought it was so cool; to have an actor at the church. He said the actor spoke the whole time about issues that really meant something to my co-worker in this day and age, whereas the priest at Mass doesn’t talk to the heart of people and is outdated. I’m sure he was awe-struck, as anyone would be.

He seems to be on the way out of Catholicism. I have an idea of what to tell him, but just wanted other views as well. All comments welcome!
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I agree with some of the preious replies I have read that worship is not entertainment. I disagree with your co-workers’s comment that the priest doesn’t address current issues. No one can be “on” every sermon, every Sunday. When something is new it seems better. This is not always the case. I have known many Catholics who visit Protestant Churches, sometimes for many years. In my exerperience, many of them come home; likely the largest reason is the drawing of the Holy Spirit to the Eucharist.
Thank you for allowing me to express my view on this situation.
 
Nine_Two said:
Since when are church services supposed to be “fun”?
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On the other hand if going to worship for an hour a week were not fun and a burden, something you are obligated to do then why would you want to spend eternity with such a God? 🤷
 
4Squarebaby said:
On the other hand if going to worship for an hour a week were not fun and a burden, something you are obligated to do then why would you want to spend eternity with such a God? 🤷
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Sometimes, spending an hour with my husband is a burden, but I still want to spend eternity with him. 😊🤷
 
Your co-worker needs to answer some questions:

Does this church teach her the truth? Are they saying what is true, not according to her wishes, but according to the Lord’s. Also, since there is probably an equally entertaining church somewhere else in town that is teaching something different, why should she accept this church’s teachings over the other church’s?

There is one reason, in my mind, and one reason only to belong to a particular church, and that is because the church is true. Because it is really the church that represents christ. If she feels that this other church does that because the music is better, well, I’m afraid I can’t think of anything which might bring her to the RCC. Sorry!

PS - Except for the charismatic catholics. They’re pretty sparkly…they might be more her speed.
 
twopekinguys said:
Unfortunately, alot of people lose sight of what the Mass is.

It is worship, not entertainment.

Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection wasn’t done to entertain us, it was meant to save mankind from itself.

That’s where I would start.
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:clapping:

The people that need entertainment need to go to the movies, or whatever.
 
I vote for William Shatner, Ian McKellan, Peter Falk, and Leonard Nimoy with guest appearances by Rebecca Romijn and Sean Bean.
Soldier_X said:
Agree 100%. It’s getting harder and harder for me to find a Protestant service that has any depth or dignity to it whatsoever. I live in a decently-sized city, so there are plenty of churches to choose from; but nearly all of them feel like a cheap concert + mushy self-help psychology. I’m sick of the metro “worship leaders” playing guitar solos while people dance in the aisles and the laser lights flash back and forth. A contemplative Mass is how it was clearly meant to be. I guess Jesus was right after all. 👍

And as for having an actor as the preacher…I’d better keep my mouth shut before I say something that will get me in trouble. 😃
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singh said:
How would you answer a catholic co-worker who says catholic mass is very mundane, compared to the other Christian denominations? He has been attending christian services lately, the most recent one having actor Jim Caviezel (Passion of the Christ) as the speaker.

My co-worker thought it was so cool; to have an actor at the church. He said the actor spoke the whole time about issues that really meant something to my co-worker in this day and age, whereas the priest at Mass doesn’t talk to the heart of people and is outdated. I’m sure he was awe-struck, as anyone would be.

He seems to be on the way out of Catholicism. I have an idea of what to tell him, but just wanted other views as well. All comments welcome!
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hi singh. if your co-worker, knew exactly what the mass was, he would see it is anything but boring. when i started attending, i had to look around to find a parish that was not contemporary. i like the solemnity of the traditional mass. anything but mundane. it is a deeply moving spiritual experience that grows each time i take part. it really is Christ with us, and communion of the saints, both here, and those that have gone beyond. in a sense we are bridging two dimensions. compare this, to the Jesus is my boyfriend music and praise that is going on today, and then he could tell me which one is really mundane, and earthly.😃 i wouldnt even think of taking my guitar into a Church. it is a sacred place. love playing heavy metal, but Church is not the place for a rock concert.😉 peace:)
 
twopekinguys said:
You are absolutely correct, there is a time and a place for humor, and our pastor does the same thing. Many times, humor in a homily will drive home the meaning of the readings.

With that said, I don’t think there is a time for jumping up and down, clapping, waving your hands, all while listening to a rock version of Agnus Dei, if you know what I mean.

Before I joined the Church, I remember going to a local AoG church, and I just about freaked out when I saw what their “worship” service consisted of. I could deal with the "
Amens" during the sermon. I was a little uneasy with the clapping during the hymns, (Worship songs), but, I got up and left when they started dancing in the aisles.

Just wasn’t my cup of tea.
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:amen:
 
I think you should avoid making your co-worker feel shallow, nonspiritual, or uneducated.

Also, don’t dismiss his perceptions. If he feels that the Mass isn’t relating to his daily life, than it isn’t. The question would be why, and what should he do about it? (It may be that his priest is a poor speaker).

My first thought would be to ask questions - why does he attend church? What does he think its purpose is? What does he understand the significance of the Eucharist to be? What are our obligations to God with regard to worship.
 
Many have already stated that entertainment is not worship, and I wholeheartedly agree. I returned to the Catholic Church about a year ago after attending Baptist Churches for about 20 years, and I left partly because the Baptist services were more “lively” or so I thought. One of the things that really helped bring me back is when I studied why we do what we do in the Mass. My wife was confirmed this past Easter and having been a “cradle Baptist” has been overwhelmed by the depth and richness of every Mass. She has stated on more than one occasion that she could never go back because of this. Maybe if you point this out to your friend it will start him thinking about what he wouuld really be giving up. I will be praying for him.
 
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