How does Catholicism attract new people?

[jasontn]

There are no tradtional altar calls so how do they do it? Has the Catholic church been successful in converting new people in the 20th and 21st century? How about before then?

 

[rpp]

Well, perhaps intellectual honesty? A complete salvific message? In my case, my conversion was the result of a sudden, miraculous and mystical conversion.

 

[jasontn]

Well, perhaps intellectual honesty? A complete salvific message? In my case, my conversion was the result of a sudden, miraculous and mystical conversion.

So fire and brimstone sermons are not necessary? Nor a call to “accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior”

 

[Dale_M]

Jason, I am not sure if I understand your question. In the case of an altar call, doesn’t the person already have to be attending the church? So something had to attract them to attend in the first place.

I think you are asking about evangelization, which Evangelicals (obviously) do quite a bit, but Catholics traditionally have not. In the past couple centuries, Catholicism has spread via social services such as having good schools or providing medical care. And, if you go far enough back in history, it was spread by the sword. However, in many of the countries which were converted by fire and steel, the Catholic Church is losing ground to Christian churches which do evangelize.

The Catholic Church has recently recognized the need to evangelize, and although it hasn’t fully committed to the process, is making steps in that direction.

Speaking for myself, I came to the Church as part of an intellectual process, spurred on by God. But that won’t work for many persons. Speaking to the heart is necessary for most persons, and perhaps all persons if they are to remain.

So fire and brimstone sermons are not necessary?

No, I think “fire and brimstone” works for some people, but others find it a perversion of God’s relationship with us. To each their own, I guess.

Nor a call to “accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior”

I think this is basically correct. Having a heartfelt connection is vital to remaining Christian.

 

[JRKH]

There are no tradtional altar calls so how do they do it? Has the Catholic church been successful in converting new people in the 20th and 21st century? How about before then?

There are a number of ways that the Church attracts.
Mostly though, I’d say it is through the personal witness of Catholics.
I know - Many people talk about how catholics are not forthcoming, are reticent in talking about their faith, but if someone begins to ask questions - - - -
Also there are those who marry Catholics and are exposed to the Church in that way.
Another big draw of the Church is among non-catholic christians who find the lack of authority in the protestant world to be too confusing. The Holy Spirit tells one group one thing and another group another thing? come-on… the Teachings of the Catholic Church are consistant and don’t change to fit the times. Which leads to another attraction…
The age of the Church. The Catholic Church is ancient while the protestant Church’s are, at most, 500 or so years old.
These are a few of the reasons that people are attracted to the Church.

As for altar calls. The Catholic Church has the most powerful Altar Call of all.
The Real Presence of Christ upon the Altar and the ability, for those in the Church, to receive Him physically into themselves provides a greater draw to the elect than any preacher could provide.

Finally if you are interested in pursuing this subject and watch “The Journey Home” on EWTN. If it is not on your cable or Satallite, you can stream it on your computor. On this program you can listen to converts tell their own stories about what attracted them to The Church.

Hope this helps.

Peace
James

 

[beegirl]

I was attracted to the Catholic chruch (and soon converting) after attending mass a few times over a number of years with my friends.

I’d say it is through the personal witness of Catholics.

So I would agree with JRKH

Nor a call to “accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior”

I’m not big on the “fire and brimstone” sermon style, but I do have a personal relationship with Jesus In fact its one of the reasons I chose to become Catholic, I felt closer to Christ in the Catholic churhc than anywhere else!

 

[reaganjn]

im a very reserved person so when it comes to worshiping i dont go for those lights, and action and glitter…thats not my cup of tea.

i have had past boyfriends who were catholic…my mom went to an all girl catholic school and no she is not catholic, but does a lot of catholic practices…if that makes any sense. (we even dog sat a catholic dog for a catholic military family while they were overseas…the dog wouldnt eat meat on fridays…no joke either)

i was baptized in a church of christ church, went to non denominational churches, baptists churches…and others…got sick of being damned to hell every week so i stopped attending. finally converted to episcopal then i didnt like how they were changing…so i had a stronger tug to the catholic church…and now here i am

i will be converting this easter to catholic along with my 9 year old daughter and we are both soo excited.

 

[MarkBrown]

There are no tradtional altar calls so how do they do it? Has the Catholic church been successful in converting new people in the 20th and 21st century? How about before then?

Jason,

The Catholic Church has the traditional altar call, the Eucharist. What you see in some protestant church (not all do this like Presbyterians) where the minister stand before the pulpit and “calls people to Christ” only began around the time of the 2nd Great Awakening in the early 1800’s.

How did the Church convert before? Look in the Book of Acts of the Apostles, read history. Some will say through the sword or force. Yes that did happen. Up and until the Reformation in Europe, so goes the prince so goes the religion. The mindset was corporate not individualistic. Constantine converted, so did the Empire. St Patrick converted a king, so were his people. A German Prince rejected the Church and embraced protestantism, so did his people. I believe that practice ended around the time of the Restoration of the Monarchy in England. Though the shadow of it is still alive as the British Monarch must by law be and remain protestant. Individualistic thinking in Christianity did not really become a force until the 2nd Great Awakening time frame.

How does the Church convert now? In my area, not well at all. Catholics are not taught to convert. Many have an all people go to heaven mentality due to an illformed catechism.
It is considered poor manners to attempt to convert people. or why try, it is up to God, almost an hyper-calvinistic approach.

I have been in contact with various catholics since I was 16 years old. None ever invited me to Mass, to tour the church, go on a retreat, youth program nothing. I live next to a dear Catholic lady and have been for 17 years. She has lived her faith, but never asked me to attend. Now that I am converting, she talks about her faith and how happy she is for me. My wife of 20 years, a cradle catholic. She is surprised at my conversion. She never thought of me converting. I could go on and on with catholics in my life who never talked about converting and in many cases even about Christ and salvation. And this includes priests, one a childhood friend.

As a Baptist minister who struggled with baptistic theology, when I approached my wife’s priest and my Catholic priest friends, just re-assurances and an it’s going to be ok. An Anglican priest, who happened to be the Latin Teacher at my school approached me. Spoke with me, debated and argued with me for almost a year. He was blunt and told me early on, my theology, thoughts, being was catholic. I converted to Anglicanism due to him. He did not force me, but guided me.

Now all that said. Look to Africa and Asia. The Catholic Church is growing by leaps and bounds. That is were the growth is happening. So the question is “what are they doing that we are not doing?” In Africa Christians are being killed by Muslims and the Church grows. In the West, the Church suffers not and is what? Dying in Europe and losing ground in the States. I met a Chinese Christian when I was overseas once. She told me in China they are praying for the Church in the west. Praying for persecution so we will return to our first love. That was 20 years ago. It has haunted me since. What am I doing and what are we as Chrisitans and Catholics doing? Is it working? Are we satisfied and if so why?

Fr. Mark

 

[spirit4life]

There are no tradtional altar calls **so how do they do it? ** Has the Catholic church been successful in converting new people in the 20th and 21st century? How about before then?

Same way that they’ve been doing it for 2000 years, by being The Fullness of Truth !

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:44

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