Going to churches of other denominations when you can't go to your own

[Umbellifera]

This happened once or twice when I was younger and my family was holidaying in small country towns. The local Roman Catholic church didn’t have a service that particular week so we went to the local Anglican church instead (didn’t receive communion, although the Anglican priest said afterwards that we could).

Do other people do this, and if so, would you only go to certain denominations’ masses that have similar characteristics to your own denomination? Or would you prefer not to go at all?

It’s just something I’ve been wondering about, especially variations from denomination to denomination. I’ll be interested in hearing about your thoughts, practises and observations.

(NB: Probably not necessary but I might as well say I’m not so much interested in arguments or discussing things, as in dry facts here. If you wish to debate, go ahead, but I won’t participate. I hope you’ll understand that I’m not being hostile and grumpy, I just don’t like arguing on the internet and generally regret it for days when I do .)

 

[streetpreacher]

I try to go to both, always Mass some time during the weekend, but love to throw in a protestant service on top of it. I go to the latter for different reasons, and never to replace the mass.

Some of these outside churches, I observe and take note of the horrendous discrepencies of what they are about, not at all there to worship the lord, in fact, Jesus is not even mentioned in some, I go to topple over the tables in those, just as our Lord did in the temple of the money changers. I go to others, simply to be there for the others in discussion, where they have much to benefit from real dialog about our Lord and the gospel. I go to others as well, because they have some assemblence of order and positive direction, to be the Catholic add on they need, and building into what they have, fellowship wise, my presence there benefits them.

Circumstance prevented me from going to mass last weekend, I still feel like something is deeply missing from my core being, yet where I was sent to, or should I say, called to, instead, clearly, was meant for me to go to in lue. Not that I enjoyed it, but because I saw clearly that it’s necessary I was exposed to that travesty of a church and tables will be very much turned over with that one. I like you were put into service, on your end, learning a bit more about the faith, that you should not play such an elitist roll towards our cousin denominations, especially one so closely tied to the Catholic church. Mine, was that I am first and foremost a foot soldier, and if I have to be in the field on the front lines of the battle field, then it must suffice.

 

[LDNCatholic]

Why bother? If I cannot make it to a Catholic Mass, or, in an extreme case (which has never come up for me) Orthodox Divine Liturgy, then I see no need.

I’ll stay at home and pray a Rosary, read the day’s Bible readings etc.

 

[Adam_Warlock]

This happened once or twice when I was younger and my family was holidaying in small country towns. The local Roman Catholic church didn’t have a service that particular week so we went to the local Anglican church instead (didn’t receive communion, although the Anglican priest said afterwards that we could).

Do other people do this, and if so, would you only go to certain denominations’ masses that have similar characteristics to your own denomination? Or would you prefer not to go at all?

It’s just something I’ve been wondering about, especially variations from denomination to denomination. I’ll be interested in hearing about your thoughts, practises and observations.

(NB: Probably not necessary but I might as well say I’m not so much interested in arguments or discussing things, as in dry facts here. If you wish to debate, go ahead, but I won’t participate. I hope you’ll understand that I’m not being hostile and grumpy, I just don’t like arguing on the internet and generally regret it for days when I do .)

I’m coming from a conservative Anglican perspective here, not Catholic, but I think I have a sense of what you mean. When I have found myself in your situation, I would choose the most orthodox & traditional service that I could find. If I can’t receive Communion (in a Catholic Mass, or in a Protestant service with which I might not fully agree theologically), I still go to sing, pray, and be blessed and encouraged by the reading and preaching of the Gospel. There is much that is beneficial about celebrating the Resurrection each Sunday with others!

 

[GaryTaylor]

I’ll go to another Catholic Church out of Mass timing differences, but not often. I also see no problem with the Orthodox Divine Lithurgy, yet I also have never been in this situation.

But there are many Church’s here within walking distance. So I can’t really speak on your situation.

I make every effort to attend my own Parish. I just feel the Holy Spirit there, and prefer to be there. I’m a creature of habit, so I may not be the best to answer. I sit in the same pew always also. But the pew I sit in has a Statue of the Blessed Mother with Jesus right in front and a mural of the Blessed Mother directly above the seat.

I needed much intercession so I seek it out.

 

[Publisher]

This happened once or twice when I was younger and my family was holidaying in small country towns. The local Roman Catholic church didn’t have a service that particular week so we went to the local Anglican church instead (didn’t receive communion, although the Anglican priest said afterwards that we could).

Do other people do this, and if so, would you only go to certain denominations’ masses that have similar characteristics to your own denomination? Or would you prefer not to go at all?

It’s just something I’ve been wondering about, especially variations from denomination to denomination. I’ll be interested in hearing about your thoughts, practises and observations.

(NB: Probably not necessary but I might as well say I’m not so much interested in arguments or discussing things, as in dry facts here. If you wish to debate, go ahead, but I won’t participate. I hope you’ll understand that I’m not being hostile and grumpy, I just don’t like arguing on the internet and generally regret it for days when I do .)

There have been times when I could not attend a Meeting for Worship as there was no Meeting within a 60-70 mile radius. Since I know of no other tradition which practices the Quaker form of worship…I attended the Methodist church a few blocks away from my home.

I have also attended an Episcopal parish as well as attended the Community of Christ for a short time before a “prepatory Meeting” was established in my town…I was invited to “preside” over a “Meeting for Worship” in the particular Community of Christ congregation I attended one First Day morning to allow the congregation the experience of Quaker worship…which none had ever really considered.

I have attended those traditions which were “ecumenical”…so it really was not much of a concern for me…when I have lived outside the area of a Monthly Meeting I would drive maybe once a quarter…make the day of it…to a Friends Meeting to “reconnect” and get my “Quaker fix” so to speak.

 

[4Squarebaby]

Since there is no “requirement” to attend I would go to almost any service as a visitor or guest. But I won’t go to “my denomination” just because that specific Sunday I can’t reach my home church.

 

[Holly3278]

Well, if I was somewhere where the local Catholic Church did not have a Mass, I would first look for an Orthodox Church because as far as I know, they are the only others who definitely have valid apostolic succession. If no Orthodox Church was available, I’d probably go to an Anglican/Episcopalian church provided that I knew it was not a liberal one or something. I would prefer a Continuing Anglican church.

 

[Izdaari]

I’m not stuck on my (or any) denomination. It’s Christ I follow, and I’m willing to worship in any church that does the same.

 

[Holly3278]

I’m not stuck on my (or any) denomination. It’s Christ I follow, and I’m willing to worship in any church that does the same.

Does this mean that you would worship in a Mormon church then if no other church was available? After all, they do claim to be followers of Christ.

 

[Izdaari]

Does this mean that you would worship in a Mormon church then if no other church was available? After all, they do claim to be followers of Christ.

No. Our doctrines are too different and incompatible. The same goes for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Though I don’t judge the salvation of any individual member (that’s for God alone), I don’t think of those churches as part of the Christian fold.

But I would worship in a Catholic or Orthodox church, or Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Foursquare, UCC, etc. In some of them, such as Catholic, Orthodox and most Lutheran synods, I wouldn’t be allowed to take communion, but I understand their reasoning on that and respect it, even though I don’t agree. It wouldn’t stop my enjoyment of the rest of the service.

 

[stormy99]

No…we have many Catholic churches in our area and when we travel I look up churches and mass times…the only time we miss is when the cruise boat is at sea…

Don’t care to attend another service , different denomination…doesn’t work for me.

stormy

 

[JonNC]

This happened once or twice when I was younger and my family was holidaying in small country towns. The local Roman Catholic church didn’t have a service that particular week so we went to the local Anglican church instead (didn’t receive communion, although the Anglican priest said afterwards that we could).

Do other people do this, and if so, would you only go to certain denominations’ masses that have similar characteristics to your own denomination? Or would you prefer not to go at all?

It’s just something I’ve been wondering about, especially variations from denomination to denomination. I’ll be interested in hearing about your thoughts, practises and observations.

(NB: Probably not necessary but I might as well say I’m not so much interested in arguments or discussing things, as in dry facts here. If you wish to debate, go ahead, but I won’t participate. I hope you’ll understand that I’m not being hostile and grumpy, I just don’t like arguing on the internet and generally regret it for days when I do .)

If no Lutheran? A conservative Anglican Church or Catholic.

Jon

 

[agent_grey]

A true Catholic may accidentaly recieve symbolic communion. But once the individual is aware that the real presence is devoid in the offering the true Catholic will never return.

 

[dsears]

I occasionally go back and visit the churches that I grew up in (after Sunday Mass of course.) The only reason why I would not attend mass would be either I’m really sick (only happend once) or a snow emergency were the county closed all the roads. (In which case one could be arrested for driving anywhere by state law.I’ve never seen that happen though and hopefully never will.)

 

[dianaiad]

Does this mean that you would worship in a Mormon church then if no other church was available? After all, they do claim to be followers of Christ.

Why not?

I would go to a Mass if I couldn’t find a local LDS church to attend.

Of course, I’ve never been anywhere where I couldn’t find a local LDS church to attend.

 

[Publisher]

Why not?

I would go to a Mass if I couldn’t find a local LDS church to attend.

Of course, I’ve never been anywhere where I couldn’t find a local LDS church to attend.

While I would attend a Meeting for Worship at a Mormon church if so moved, I would be uncomfortable most likely…I would be very out of place from the times I have attended with Mormon friends…Yesterday when I attended Meeting at the early meeting for worship (8:15-9:30)…I wore black levis, tennis shoes and a grey and green flannel shirt…not tucked in…with a black “t” underneath…there were only about a dozen of us that made it to the early Meeting…but all of us were in Levis or cargo shorts…half the Friends took off their shoes as they centered down…a couple of the women had lap blankets…the meeting house was a bit chilly…and sat in a cross legged position…a “meditative pose”…I’m sure I would have “stuck out like a sore thumb” at an LDS meeting.

 

[dianaiad]

While I would attend a Meeting for Worship at a Mormon church if so moved, I would be uncomfortable most likely…I would be very out of place from the times I have attended with Mormon friends…Yesterday when I attended Meeting at the early meeting for worship (8:15-9:30)…I wore black levis, tennis shoes and a grey and green flannel shirt…not tucked in…with a black “t” underneath…there were only about a dozen of us that made it to the early Meeting…but all of us were in Levis or cargo shorts…half the Friends took off their shoes as they centered down…a couple of the women had lap blankets…the meeting house was a bit chilly…and sat in a cross legged position…a “meditative pose”…I’m sure I would have “stuck out like a sore thumb” at an LDS meeting.

Not as much as a woman in pants, my friend. We do believe that going to church should be done in ‘Sunday go to meeting’ clothes, out of respect for the fact that church is special.

Of course, we don’t give visitors grief about this.

 

[Publisher]

Not as much as a woman in pants, my friend. We do believe that going to church should be done in ‘Sunday go to meeting’ clothes, out of respect for the fact that church is special.

Of course, we don’t give visitors grief about this.

These were my “Sunday go to meeting clothes”…and just about everyone else in Meeting is dressed the same. We don’t view “going to church” as “special”…but as a group of Friends getting together to “hear” Jesus give one of His sermons. Those who went into the desert to hear him when he gave his “sermon on the plain”…or “sermon on the mount” wore their daily clothes to go hear the man from Nazareth…our Meeting houses are more of a “house” with a “living room” than a “church building”…all though your chapels are probably closer in decor to our Meetinghouses than are the Meetinghouses of more liturgical traditions.

 

[dianaiad]

These were my “Sunday go to meeting clothes”…and just about everyone else in Meeting is dressed the same. We don’t view “going to church” as “special”…but as a group of Friends getting together to “hear” Jesus give one of His sermons. Those who went into the desert to hear him when he gave his “sermon on the plain”…or “sermon on the mount” wore their daily clothes to go hear the man from Nazareth…our Meeting houses are more of a “house” with a “living room” than a “church building”…all though your chapels are probably closer in decor to our Meetinghouses than are the Meetinghouses of more liturgical traditions.

It’s a cultural thing, Publisher.

We simply feel that one should make some attempt to make this meeting, on this day, a little special by NOT dressing as you do every other day. However, we would never stop someone at the door for not being dressed properly, or (as has historically been done else where and when,) handing people items of clothing (like a headcovering or something) at the door if they didn’t come with one.

the point is, it’s simply a matter of how we choose to show respect. I’m certain, for instance, that there are actions/words/attitudes that you would consider inapropriate for Meeting, yes?

Everybody does this a little differently. That doesn’t mean that everybody but us is wrong.