How do non-denominational Christians pick a church?

[1beleevr]

This may be part of what drew me to the Catholic Church. I loved the visions of heavenly worship in the book of Revelation. I loved those scriptures, and I loved to sing any song with text from Revelation. Now here I get to have a little glimpse of heaven every time I go to Mass.

scripturecatholic.com/revelation_and_the_mass.html

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Well, that gives us something to look forward to; but while we are still on this earth, let us worship Him in ways that are pleasing to His ears!

 

[PRmerger]

]

Actually my friend, the longer I’m with Him, the more intimacy I share with Him; don’t be so condescending and territorial!

It’s not territorial if I’m inviting you to join us!

 

[Xavierlives]

You haven’t named anything particular. I can understand that you don’t want to discuss personal things on a public forum, but you’ll never find answers if you don’t bother to formulate specific questions. I suggest that you make a list of the top two or three specific things that trouble you about the Catholic faith you grew up with, then call the Catholic Answers apologists line and ask those questions. (And listen to the answers.) Then you can stop drifting like a jellyfish and start swimming the Tiber.

Why do you assume all non-Catholics are drifting? Or was this all just for the Tiber Swim team thingy?

 

[Kirk_O]

]

WEll, D-U-H! I already know that God is way more than music! And I also know that it is not about what YOU get out of the worship, it’s about what God gets out of the worship! Is His name glorified, does He receive the praise that He is worthy of?

So the question is. Would you go to a church that doesn’t have upbeat (or what ever you like) worship music? I would assume you would say yes. Because, if you said no, then are you really going there for God.

 

[1beleevr]

It’s not territorial if I’m inviting you to join us!

]

But you don’t care for “cafeteria catholics,” correct?

 

[1beleevr]

So the question is. Would you go to a church that doesn’t have upbeat (or what ever you like) worship music? I would assume you would say yes. Because, if you said no, then are you really going there for God.

]

I have been to services, where there was NO music, and it was beautiful; one-on-one communion with God! But sometimes, I want to rejoice, clap my hands and shout H-A-L-L-E-L-U-J-A-H to my Saviour! So, it doesn’t always have to be rockin’, or solemn!

 

[Xavierlives]

How can you say, I can’t have any idea what the conversation is about? I can read.

I agree, because I see where he is coming from. I have been there myself. God is much more than music (worship). Maybe someday you’ll see Church is not about YOU FEELING GOOD, it is about our Lord Jesus Christ.

Wow.

I think the way to test a church is to head down to the children’s department and check out what is going on there. I’ve found an almost direct correlation between what happens there to what happens in the service. I’ve been to churches where the children’s program consisted of XBox stations set up around foosball tables and various games. I’ve been to churches where they take even non-readers and share God’s word. I wonder which one God endorses?

 

[1beleevr]

Why do you assume all non-Catholics are drifting? Or was this all just for the Tiber Swim team thingy?

]

Probably the Tiber swim team thingy

 

[1beleevr]

Wow.

I think the way to test a church is to head down to the children’s department and check out what is going on there. I’ve found an almost direct correlation between what happens there to what happens in the service. I’ve been to churches where the children’s program consisted of XBox stations set up around foosball tables and various games. I’ve been to churches where they take even non-readers and share God’s word. I wonder which one God endorses?

]

Our children’s ministry has something called,“Serve-a-Sunday,” where the children do something or make something for someone in need! This coming Sunday, they will be accompanying my wife and I to the local nursing home, with gifts that they have made and purchased, to give to the residents! They also do little skits about Jesus, and sing songs! How awesome to start these children off serving at such a tender age(Isaiah 11:6)!

 

[Kirk_O]

]

I have been to services, where there was NO music, and it was beautiful; one-on-one communion with God! But sometimes, I want to rejoice, clap my hands and shout H-A-L-L-E-L-U-J-A-H to my Saviour! So, it doesn’t always have to be rockin’, or solemn!

That is good to hear

 

[graceandglory]

]

Well, that gives us something to look forward to; but while we are still on this earth, let us worship Him in ways that are pleasing to His ears!

1believer. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Did you even read the link I gave you? The one I researched and posted JUST FOR YOU? Here it is again. Just for you.

scripturecatholic.com/the_eucharist.html#eucharist-IIf

Does your church look like the Church in the Book of Revelation?

The Book of Revelation and the Holy Mass

The Book of Revelation shows us glimpses of the heavenly liturgy – Jesus Christ’s once and for all sacrifice eternally present in heaven.** This is why the Church has always incorporated the elements that John saw in the heavenly liturgy into her earthly liturgy**, for they are one and the same liturgical action of Jesus Christ our High Priest.

Rev. 1:6, 20:6 - heaven’s identification of the priesthood of the faithful is the same as the Church’s identification on earth.

Rev. 1:10 - John witnesses the heavenly liturgy on Sunday, the Lord’s day, which is a Catholic holy day of obligation for attending Mass on earth.

Rev. 1:12, 2:5 - there are lampstands or Menorahs in heaven. These have always been used in the Holy Mass of the Church on earth.

Rev. 1:13 - Jesus is clothed as High Priest. Our priests also clothe themselves as “alter Christuses” (other Christs) in offering His sacrifice in the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 1:13, 4:4, 6:11, 7:9, 15:6, 19:13-14 - priests wear special vestments in heaven. Our priests also wear special vestments in celebrating the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 2:5,16,21; 3:3; 16:11 - there is a penitential rite in heaven which is also part of the liturgy of the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 2:17 - there is manna in heaven given to the faithful. This is the same as the Eucharistic manna given to the faithful at the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 4:4, 5:14; 11:16, 14:3, 19:4 - there are priests (“presbyteroi”) in heaven. Priests offer sacrifice. Our earthly priests participate with the heavenly priests in offering Jesus’ eternal sacrifice in the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 4:8 - heaven’s liturgical chant “Holy, Holy, Holy” is the same that is used in the liturgy of the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 4:8-11, 5:9-14, 7:10-12, 18:1-8 - the various antiphonal chants in the heavenly liturgy are similar to those used at the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 5:1 - there is a book or scroll of God’s word in heaven. This is reflected in the Liturgy of the Word at the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 5:6 and throughout - heaven’s description of Jesus as the “Lamb” is the same as the description of Jesus as the Lamb of God in the Eucharistic liturgy of the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 5:8, 6:9-11, 8:3-4 - heaven’s emphasis on the intercession of the saints is the same as the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 5:8, 8:3-4 - there is incense in heaven which has always been part of the liturgy of the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 5:14; 7:12; 19:4 - heaven’s concluding liturgical prayer “Amen” is the same as is used at the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 6:9 - the martyrs who are seen under the heavenly altar is similar to the Church’s tradition of keeping relics of saints under the earthly altars.

Rev. 7:3, 14:1, 22:4 - there is the sign of the cross (“tau”) in heaven. This sign is used during the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 7:9; 14:6 - the catholicity or universality of heaven as God’s family is the essence of the Catholic faith on earth.

Rev. 8:1 - the silent contemplation in heaven is similar to our silent contemplation at the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 8:3, 11:1, 14:18, 16:7 - there is an altar in heaven. But no altar is needed unless a sacrifice is being offered in heaven. This is the same sacrifice that is offered on the altars used in the Holy Masses on earth.

Rev. 11:12 - the phrase “come up here” is similar to the priest’s charge to “lift up your hearts” at the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 12:1-6, 13-17 - heaven’s emphasis on the Blessed Virgin Mary is the same as the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 12:7 - heaven’s emphasis on the Archangel Michael’s intercession is the same as the concluding prayers at the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 14:4 - there are consecrated celibates in heaven, as there are with our Catholic priests and religious on earth.

Rev. 15:7, 16:1-4,8,10,12,17; 21:9 - there are chalices (or bowls) in the heavenly liturgy. This is like the chalices used to offer Christ’s sacrifice in the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 15:3-4 - there is the recitation of the “Gloria” in heaven. This is also recited at the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 15:5 - there is a tent or tabernacle in heaven. Tabernacles are used to store the Eucharist at the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 17, 19:9 - the consummation of the Lamb at heaven’s marriage supper is the same as the Lamb’s supper in the Holy Mass on earth.

Rev. 19:1,3,4,6 - there is the recitation of the “Alleluia” in heaven. This is also recited at the Holy Mass on earth.

 

[Kirk_O]

Wow.

I think the way to test a church is to head down to the children’s department and check out what is going on there. I’ve found an almost direct correlation between what happens there to what happens in the service. I’ve been to churches where the children’s program consisted of XBox stations set up around foosball tables and various games. I’ve been to churches where they take even non-readers and share God’s word. I wonder which one God endorses?

I never thought of that. Very observant:thumbsup:

I will share that with my Protestant Brother (Brother in Christ), who is looking for a new church.

Thank you. I knew there was a reason. I was still on this thread.

God bless

 

[1beleevr]

1believer. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Did you even read the link I gave you? The one I researched and posted JUST FOR YOU? Here it is again. Just for you.

scripturecatholic.com/the_eucharist.html#eucharist-IIf

Does your church look like the Church in the Book of Revelation?

]

Thank you!

 

[jmcrae]

]

Our children’s ministry has something called,“Serve-a-Sunday,” where the children do something or make something for someone in need! This coming Sunday, they will be accompanying my wife and I to the local nursing home, with gifts that they have made and purchased, to give to the residents! They also do little skits about Jesus, and sing songs! How awesome to start these children off serving at such a tender age(Isaiah 11:6)!

Our kids do this sort of thing at Youth Group. Sunday is of course a day for sharing with the poor as well, but at Church, we are there to worship God.

 

[1beleevr]

Our kids do this sort of thing at Youth Group. Sunday is of course a day for sharing with the poor as well, but at Church, we are there to worship God.

]

So are our children; they serve in the afternon, following the morning service! There is no interruption of the message!

 

[PRmerger]

]

But you don’t care for “cafeteria catholics,” correct?

Of course I “care for cafeteria Catholics”, 1beleevr!

However, I do think they’re telling Jesus, “Hey, I agree with you on feeding the poor and stuff, but you’ve got it wrong about divorce and remarriage. And you’ve got it wrong with __________”

So, yes, come join us at the Table, at the Marriage Feast, 1beleevr. Come where we receive Him in the most intimate and sublime Union ever made for man. But come when you can submit and obey ALL of Christ, not just the attractive part of Him.

 

[SonofMonica]

I can’t, for the life of me, figure out the thought processes on this thread dealing with “choosing a church.” The way I see it, either a religion is absolutely true, for all persons, everywhere and for all time, or it isn’t. Why would you ever choose to participate in a church based upon how you feel, personally? I can’t imagine ever needing the sort of self-validation that some folks here seem to need. I don’t require anyone to repeat back to me what I already believe. If it isn’t tough to accept or follow, then why bother? If there isn’t one true church, then why bother? Do people really need someone to tell them they’re just fine the way they are and how they act and believe? Why is church about an individual’s preferences? I thought it was about God’s revealed truth? Didn’t he only reveal it once? I am in RCIA (becoming Catholic) but I can’t figure out how Protestants feel about revelation. Some might say, well he revealed it in the Bible, and so we just differ about how we interpret the Bible. But that simply isn’t true, and you can see that by reading the Bible. The Bible contains stories and admonitions concerning people to whom the truth had already been revealed.

 

[4Squarebaby]

I can’t, for the life of me, figure out the thought processes on this thread dealing with “choosing a church.” The way I see it, either a religion is absolutely true, for all persons, everywhere and for all time, or it isn’t. Why would you ever choose to participate in a church based upon how you feel, personally? I can’t imagine ever needing the sort of self-validation that some folks here seem to need. I don’t require anyone to repeat back to me what I already believe. If it isn’t tough to accept or follow, then why bother? If there isn’t one true church, then why bother? Do people really need someone to tell them they’re just fine the way they are and how they act and believe? Why is church about an individual’s preferences?

Perhaps it is the same process a Catholic who does not attend his assigned, by location, church? I know at my local church as the demographics of the neighborhood changed the Latinos don’t go to the church with the older Black Priest. The school is full but the church is empty. I guess since the area is still 50% + 1 Black the Bishop always assigns a Black Priest even if most of the Catholics are non Black Latinos.

 

[SonofMonica]

Perhaps it is the same process a Catholic who does not attend his assigned, by location, church? I know at my local church as the demographics of the neighborhood changed the Latinos don’t go to the church with the older Black Priest. The school is full but the church is empty. I guess since the area is still 50% + 1 Black the Bishop always assigns a Black Priest even if most of the Catholics are non Black Latinos.

But none of that has to do with the faith, teaching or scripture. If a parish teaches differently than the Catholic Church, it cannot be (truly) considered Catholic. I’m talking about choosing between churches that teach different things, not churches that do things differently. If someone isn’t absolutely correct about teaching, then what’s the point?

 

[4Squarebaby]

But none of that has to do with the faith, teaching or scripture. If a parish teaches differently than the Catholic Church, it cannot be (truly) considered Catholic. I’m talking about choosing between churches that teach different things, not churches that do things differently. If someone isn’t absolutely correct about teaching, then what’s the point?

The search for an infailable human leader and absolutely 100% correct teaching is a specificcally a fundamental Catholic goal, your brothers in Christ or even a single God do not share that need. Someone who believes he found that at his single local church we all accuse of falling into a cult.