Converts from pentecostalism: worship?

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tundramom said:
WG,
I understand completely what you mean. I am in the same boat. I went to a Charismatic Mass trying to recapture that old feeling. It didn’t work. I am not sure if the change is outward or inward. However I did find a solution! 👍

I go to “Women of Faith” as often as I can. I also go to concerts given by Michael W. Smith, and more. I enjoy watching the concert and getting involved emotionally with everyone around me. True, I am worshipping God, but it is in the proper place… a concert! I know that for me, when I left the A/G church, I was at the point where I felt on display while singing on the worship team. Now I am a Cantor, and I try to bring that enthusiasm to that ministry, without the emotionalism.

You are not alone. Make sure that when you do participate in Mass, that you sing. That you pay attention with your whole being. Singing out loud at Mass sure helps and encourages the Cantor, I can tell you!

Steph
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I’m a cantor too! 😉 hehehe

Actually, I sometimes go to my old church when I visit my parents after mass. I really miss that worship style. Ya know? I am looking for some groups nearby. As soon as I get over my cold I’m gunna try to go to one.
 
Could you find some fellow believers and gather in a home for prayer/worship time?
We have done that in the past as part of home fellowship…We use worship cd’s…We were at a very large regional charismatic gathering a few years ago and a few rows in front there was a part of a whole row that were nuns/priest’s in their vestments…All with hands up
along with us all in praise and worship to the Lord…
 
:hmmm:why not simply glow and grow where you are planted.:yup:🙂 Peace,Carlan
 
Whitacre_Girl said:
First off, let me explain that nothing has given me the fullness of faith and love for Christ like coming home to the one true Church of God. I am thrilled to be Catholic, and even though I had to give everything I had to join, I wouldn’t take back that decision for anything and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

I converted from Petecostal christianity, and at times, I really miss the worship. There are times I yearn for gathering together with enthused people of God to raise my hands in worship and sing to energetic and worshipful songs and give myself over to the spirit. I do this at home, but it’s just not the same, you know? I really miss that expression and it matches so well with my personality and how I express my love and devotion to God. Don’t get me wrong, I love the rosary, and I regularly do those things…but I really miss that expressive worship.

Are there any converts out there in the same boat? How do you cope?
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One does not have to be a convert to have the same yearning. I am a cradle Catholic and a music minister in my parish. I lead the youth Mass and absolutely love the contemporary music and all that goes with it. I also serve in this capacity at a more traditional Mass but my preference in music is most definitely the more contemporary. What I really love is that songs such as “Breathe” take on an even deeper meaning in the Catholic sense. “Your holy presence, living in me”. Yes, some people freak out a little bit when when our teens raise their hands and sing loudly, but this Mass has become the most attended, even by the older folks. They have found that it touches them deeply and builds their spirituality.

Our Church has a rich heritage of sacred music and I love it all. Can’t get enough of chant. As long as everyone puts it in the right perspective, and doesn’t come to the Mass just for the music, I think it all has its place, but I am in agreement with you. Music feeds our souls and is incredibly important in our liturgy. Most importantly, it is the Eucharist that feeds us, but there is no getting around the fact that some Catholic music, poorly performed, makes one want to scratch one’s eyes out. It makes it very difficult to stay focused. I hope you can find a parish that feeds you in all ways.

God bless you.
 
SteveVH said:
One does not have to be a convert to have the same yearning. I am a cradle Catholic and a music minister in my parish. I lead the youth Mass and absolutely love the contemporary music and all that goes with it. I also serve in this capacity at a more traditional Mass but my preference in music is most definitely the more contemporary. What I really love is that songs such as “Breathe” take on an even deeper meaning in the Catholic sense. “Your holy presence, living in me”. Yes, some people freak out a little bit when when our teens raise their hands and sing loudly, but this Mass has become the most attended, even by the older folks. They have found that it touches them deeply and builds their spirituality.

Our Church has a rich heritage of sacred music and I love it all. Can’t get enough of chant. As long as everyone puts it in the right perspective, and doesn’t come to the Mass just for the music, I think it all has its place, but I am in agreement with you. Music feeds our souls and is incredibly important in our liturgy. Most importantly, it is the Eucharist that feeds us, but there is no getting around the fact that some Catholic music, poorly performed, makes one want to scratch one’s eyes out. It makes it very difficult to stay focused. I hope you can find a parish that feeds you in all ways.

God bless you.
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Seriously LOVE this post. You mirror exactly what I feel!

One of the best things that’s happened is that since I’ve opened up to my husband about this desire, he has admitted that he is desperately seeking a more emotional experience with God, and mass isn’t helping him that much with that desire and he longs for a more emotionally based worship (he is a cradle catholic) so he has really been helping me search. I thought I’d just settle for more intense devotions, but he’s been pushing me to continue the search and if I can’t find anything, to start my own. It seems his desire to urge me not to quit was more selfish than he let on!

We’ve been praying a spiritual revival for both of us, and it’s funny that since I’ve been getting more vocal about this, catholics are coming out of the woodwork in my area. I think God is doing something awesome in my region!!!
 
We all suffer spiritual dryness in our lives . God gives us what it takes to persevere in our faith during these times.
Catholic spirituality offers so many devotions, and of course there are the gifts of God the,Sacraments, do we have to resort elsewhere to find so called emotional satisfaction in our worship and special consolations from God?
I think of Mother Therese of Calcutta the modern day Saint, and the dryness and dark night she suffered. Perhaps God is calling more of us to redemptive prayer and not spiritual consolation. :yup:Peace, Carlan
 
PastorForbes said:
Whoa-
Thanks for the welcome…I think…lol.
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The welcome was genuine, as well as the admonition. 😃
PastorForbes said:
Code: 
 Let me first say that I DID indeed read the thread, and would not have responded to it had I not given my response some thought.
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I am glad you read the thread, but it is concerning that you could come up with such a judgement based upon it.
PastorForbes said:
That being said, it was not my intention to say that the original postee was ‘full of herself’, but that her focus on what she feels she is missing might be robbing her of the joy she has found in her chosen faith.
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That is my point. I don’t think she is focusing on what she is missing. It is clear from reading her posts that she loves and cherishes the aspects of her new faith that were missing before.
PastorForbes said:
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As someone who was raised in an Orthodox Jewish home, belive me I all to well understand that there are times when you yearn for something from that 'old self'.
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That’s just it, though Pastor. Her yearning to immerse herself in a form of worship that ministers to the emotional needs is not part of her “old self”. When she was Pentecostal, she worshipped God in Spirit and in Truth to the best of her understanding. She was not self serving in her emotionally vibrant praise of God. She wanted to give her whole self to God in consecrated worship, body, soul (mind and emotions) and spirit). This is not coming from the flesh or the “old man”.
PastorForbes said:
For me I miss my language, Hebrew is a beautiful, expressive tounge and I miss being able to communicate with others that understand the social and religious history behind it.
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There is nothing ungodly about this.
PastorForbes said:
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However, like the postee I would not bust out in Hebrew in the middle of a service just because I miss it, it would be disruptive and inappropriate.
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I think she was clear that she would not do this in Mass, either. But, if there were an appropriate forum in which you could maintain your Christian identity, and stiull cherish your language and Hebrew culture, would you not wish to participate?
PastorForbes said:
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 My advice remains the same, to pray about this desire for a more emotional, 'charismatic' worship.  To pray and to seek what God would have you do, maybe there is a reason for this longing, or perhaps it is something He wishes you to leave behind...one last thing to sacrifice?
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It is good advice. I am sure there is a reason for the longing, but I am equally sure that she does not have to leave it behind, or sacrifice it. If God is calling her to do so, it is not because there is no appropriate place for it in the Catholic Church.
 
Whitacre_Girl said:
Seriously LOVE this post. You mirror exactly what I feel!

One of the best things that’s happened is that since I’ve opened up to my husband about this desire, he has admitted that he is desperately seeking a more emotional experience with God, and mass isn’t helping him that much with that desire and he longs for a more emotionally based worship (he is a cradle catholic) so he has really been helping me search. I thought I’d just settle for more intense devotions, but he’s been pushing me to continue the search and if I can’t find anything, to start my own. It seems his desire to urge me not to quit was more selfish than he let on!

We’ve been praying a spiritual revival for both of us, and it’s funny that since I’ve been getting more vocal about this, catholics are coming out of the woodwork in my area. I think God is doing something awesome in my region!!!
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What bothers me a little about some of the posts on this thread is that it seems to at least be implied that we must choose between vibrant worship or the many silent, beautiful devotions that come with being Catholic. I will agree that faith and a sense of worship should not be based upon emotion. I think we can have it all, however, and I must say that when I am singing my heart out there is a lot more involved than simple emotion. There is a deep spiritual connection. Our Church invites us to “full, active participation”. When the liturgy does not lend itself to that end we are missing out. We are not suppose to sit and “listen” to the music, we are suppose to be actively involved. In many instances we hear the same tired old hymns, over and over, and singing becomes more of a chore than a joy.

It is vitally important that we realize the purpose of the Mass, that is, encountering Christ in His word and in the Eucharist. Music that inspires the heart, mind and soul helps us to grasp this reality, at least in my opinion.

Again, I truly hope you find fulfillment wherever you attend. Regardless of the liturgy you are experiencing, though, please never trade the Eucharist for emotion outside of the Catholic Church. This is the center of true Christian worship and there is nothing that can replace it. On the other hand, keep pushing for a more fulfilling liturgy regarding music. If you sing, find someone else of like mind and maybe someone to accompany you. It can be very simple and still very inspiring for the assembly. In other words, if you don’t have it, with the permission of your Pastor, start it.

God bless you.
 
SteveVH said:
What bothers me a little about some of the posts on this thread is that it seems to at least be implied that we must choose between vibrant worship or the many silent, beautiful devotions that come with being Catholic. I will agree that faith and a sense of worship should not be based upon emotion. I think we can have it all, however, and I must say that when I am singing my heart out there is a lot more involved than simple emotion. There is a deep spiritual connection. Our Church invites us to “full, active participation”. When the liturgy does not lend itself to that end we are missing out. We are not suppose to sit and “listen” to the music, we are suppose to be actively involved. In many instances we hear the same tired old hymns, over and over, and singing becomes more of a chore than a joy.

It is vitally important that we realize the purpose of the Mass, that is, encountering Christ in His word and in the Eucharist. Music that inspires the heart, mind and soul helps us to grasp this reality, at least in my opinion.

Again, I truly hope you find fulfillment wherever you attend. Regardless of the liturgy you are experiencing, though, please never trade the Eucharist for emotion outside of the Catholic Church. This is the center of true Christian worship and there is nothing that can replace it. On the other hand, keep pushing for a more fulfilling liturgy regarding music. If you sing, find someone else of like mind and maybe someone to accompany you. It can be very simple and still very inspiring for the assembly. In other words, if you don’t have it, with the permission of your Pastor, start it.

God bless you.
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I’m really sorry you got the impression that I see it as “one or the other” I’m sory for the miscommunication. I have wanted to say very plainly that I believe BOTH are vital to christian worship, and I am seeking how, as a cathoic, to integrate the more vibrant worship into my life. I am seekingou thow to bring that vibrant and emotional worship in as a catholic, to supplement the spiritual graces of mass and the eucharist.

Thanks for the suggestion to “start it.” As a cantor, I am trying to get more, ah, uplifting and artistic music in the door, rather than the stuff we have now. Granted, some of what he have is really good…some of it belongs where it was written…back in the 70s.
 
Whitacre_Girl said:
I’m really sorry you got the impression that I see it as “one or the other” I’m sory for the miscommunication. I have wanted to say very plainly that I believe BOTH are vital to christian worship, and I am seeking how, as a cathoic, to integrate the more vibrant worship into my life. I am seekingou thow to bring that vibrant and emotional worship in as a catholic, to supplement the spiritual graces of mass and the eucharist.

Thanks for the suggestion to “start it.” As a cantor, I am trying to get more, ah, uplifting and artistic music in the door, rather than the stuff we have now. Granted, some of what he have is really good…some of it belongs where it was written…back in the 70s.
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It is I who have miscommunicated. I was not referring to your posts at all, but rather others who seem to think that the roof will fall in on them if they express worship with their bodies as well as their souls. I agree with you wholeheartedly and think you have explained very well where you are coming from. 🙂

God bless.
 
Whitacre_Girl said:
Seriously LOVE this post. You mirror exactly what I feel!

One of the best things that’s happened is that since I’ve opened up to my husband about this desire, he has admitted that he is desperately seeking a more emotional experience with God, and mass isn’t helping him that much with that desire and he longs for a more emotionally based worship (he is a cradle catholic) so he has really been helping me search. I thought I’d just settle for more intense devotions, but he’s been pushing me to continue the search and if I can’t find anything, to start my own. It seems his desire to urge me not to quit was more selfish than he let on!

We’ve been praying a spiritual revival for both of us, and it’s funny that since I’ve been getting more vocal about this, catholics are coming out of the woodwork in my area. I think God is doing something awesome in my region!!!
Click to expand...
The most wonderful thing about worshipping God is that God doesn’t listen to the volume in your voice or the intonation of every note that falls from your lips, but rather the issues that flow forth from your heart. God takes pleasure in your happiness and the joy inside your heart when you surrender to Him in utter worship, no matter where you are and who surrounds you. If you are in mass and the body is worshipping in stillness and in peace, then take joy in the utter peace you feel resting in God’s presence. If you’re in a praise and worship setting that is up-tempo and full of liveliness, rejoice in His presence with your heart, mind, and body! No matter what you are led to do, rest within God’s will and be of a cheerful heart when you give to Him and He will honor it.

I’m so very glad that God is doing something awesome there, but it comes as no surprise to me. God is working mighty, awesome things everywhere!! 😉 God bless
 
MelodicHeart said:
The most wonderful thing about worshipping God is that God doesn’t listen to the volume in your voice or the intonation of every note that falls from your lips, but rather the issues that flow forth from your heart. God takes pleasure in your happiness and the joy inside your heart when you surrender to Him in utter worship, no matter where you are and who surrounds you. If you are in mass and the body is worshipping in stillness and in peace, then take joy in the utter peace you feel resting in God’s presence. If you’re in a praise and worship setting that is up-tempo and full of liveliness, rejoice in His presence with your heart, mind, and body! No matter what you are led to do, rest within God’s will and be of a cheerful heart when you give to Him and He will honor it.

I’m so very glad that God is doing something awesome there, but it comes as no surprise to me. God is working mighty, awesome things everywhere!! 😉 God bless
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Amen! 👍
 
MelodicHeart said:
The most wonderful thing about worshipping God is that God doesn’t listen to the volume in your voice or the intonation of every note that falls from your lips, but rather the issues that flow forth from your heart. God takes pleasure in your happiness and the joy inside your heart when you surrender to Him in utter worship, no matter where you are and who surrounds you. If you are in mass and the body is worshipping in stillness and in peace, then take joy in the utter peace you feel resting in God’s presence. If you’re in a praise and worship setting that is up-tempo and full of liveliness, rejoice in His presence with your heart, mind, and body! No matter what you are led to do, rest within God’s will and be of a cheerful heart when you give to Him and He will honor it.

I’m so very glad that God is doing something awesome there, but it comes as no surprise to me. God is working mighty, awesome things everywhere!! 😉 God bless
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Thank you Melodic Heart, your post expresses my feeling on all this exactly, this is a special gift of God’s peace in our love and worship of Him no matter how we experience it and we thank him and give Him the glory from our heart.
.:)Peace, Carlan
 
Whitacre_Girl said:
I’m a cantor too! 😉 hehehe

Actually, I sometimes go to my old church when I visit my parents after mass. I really miss that worship style. Ya know? I am looking for some groups nearby. As soon as I get over my cold I’m gunna try to go to one.
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I do know and understand! That’s the best part of being a Cantor because we get to lift our hands. 👍

Now if we could just get the congregation to actually sing! Oh the dilemma…
 
tundramom said:
I do know and understand! That’s the best part of being a Cantor because we get to lift our hands. 👍

Now if we could just get the congregation to actually sing! Oh the dilemma…
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What is a Cantor in protestant terms ?
 
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