How can i tell my church of christ pastor i want to join the catholic church

[CentralFLJames]

Welcome home friend and broher. We have been praying for you and expecting you for a long time!

I am not sure you need to tell the pastor anything unless you want to try and convert him to the truth. Frankly, they may not want you hanging around very long for fear you will try to evangelize others to convert to Catholicism.

As a new Catholic convert I’d say that conduct, grace and poise in how you leave can leave a lasting impression on others who know and respect you. Do it in style and with dignity and you just may be able to bring some friends with you and add to your heavenly rewards for letting others perfect their spiritual growth through the vast spiritual treasures and graces received through the sacraments of the Catholic Church.

Also be prepared that some of your old friends may resent you and not want to socialize with you anymore. It will be natural for them to feel abandoned and left behind and become aggressively defensive. So you might want to talk to some of these separately and privately before you let the pastor know.

God Bless
James

 

[sarita]

Having left the CoC to become Catholic, I have a sense of what you’re going through. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. Only you know how your friends and family will react - will they pretend to accept your decision but make sure they never speak of it the way mine have or will you be disfellowshipped?

I’ll offer my prayers for you.

 

[LilyM]

Guys, this thread is a year and a half old - OP has already long since swum the Tiber.

 

[curtishouse29]

Guys, this thread is a year and a half old - OP has already long since swum the Tiber.

Yes but I am sure there are others out there that are going through the same situation and would like to know the advice even if its not personally addressed to them. I used to attend a CoC and am converting to the Catholic faith. If the thread doesn’t get any more responses, I’m sure the mods will close it when that time comes.

 

[Pro_Domina]

I dont know how i am going to tell my pastor and everyone else in my church, that i want to become a catholic, since recently i have been asked to join the ministry team and preach sermons on sunday.I have spent three years at Bible college with this being my aim.

First give a sermon on characters of the Bible, but lastly use the Virgin Mary and speak at length. You shall be confronted after.
Then say you don’t understand why you can talk of Solomon who had a kazilion wives but not the Mother of Jesus Christ.

And then proclaim it.

Anuncio vobis gaudium magnum, ego sum catolicus.

 

[Poor_Clare_tobe]

Damo 73 ,
all have posted great advice…
I can only repeat what is said below, and also contact the ewtn journey home… (800) 664-5110, this is the Coming Home Networks phone number.] especially during what [may] prove a difficult transition. There are many protestant or evangelical converts out there who can help with questions. Thank goodness for modern technology, RCIA programs etc., and this forum. Leave in good order and they should not have any call to think poorly of you…
My additional two cents [as a convert…now 33 years ago]… seek support in your new parish, seek support where you can either here or elsewhere…and pray pray pray…blessings and [soon] welcome home…Peace and All Good!

What I did (I was an Elder in my Protestant church) was I did everything possible to arrange for a smooth and orderly succession for my duties at that Church, and then I left a letter for my pastor, which was what the person above wrote, almost word for word, except with some personal details added -

“I have enjoyed the friendship and the opportunities I’ve had here to bring others closer to Christ. The people here will always be in my heart, and in my prayers. After (x) years of thorough study, discernment, and prayer, I have decided to follow Jesus through the Catholic Church. It is a personal choice, and one I must follow in order to satisfy the conscience which pulls me in that direction.”

I also added information about the duties I had been doing, and the people who were lined up to take them over, and I expressed my love for him and for everyone at that Church.

I also explained a little bit about the conversion process in RCIA, and showed that they don’t just let you become Catholic without a great deal of discernment in RCIA.

As far as the succession went, it went badly - people never showed up when they said they were coming for training and review sessions, and I didn’t wait for them to finally find the time to get it together - I decided that if it was important enough to them, they’d figure it out on their own - and they did. My mother told me that, in the end, it took fifteen people to take over the work that I had been doing by myself.