If Catholicism is the True Church of Christ, Why Are Not Catholics Knocking on Doors?

[adelore]

As a Catholic, I’ve never even thought about “knocking on doors”, truely the thought has never crossed my mind.

However, I have small books of John, that as a Truck Driver I do leave in Truck Stops, Restraunts, and yes even in public bathrooms.

Do I push my faith on anyone, nope it’s not going to happen. Do I show my faith daily…Yes always. Do people ask me questions about my faith…yes they do.

As a Catholic I wear my crucifix, brown scapular, and cross earrings and most of the time my Catholic Bracelets. (Just take one look at me and most people figure out in a hurry, I’m Catholic.)

If you see me at a Truck Stop Restraunt, most likely you’ll find me reading my Bible or a Catholic “type” of book, while I"m eating my dinner. It’s very “rare” that someone doesn’t approach me while I’m sitting there "minding my own business, in other words I’m not there to “preach” or knock on any Truckers Door, to win him or her over to Jesus. Yet, it’s amazing how just sitting there reading the Bible and eating how many people are drawn to me, because I am living my faith and I’m a Trucker Women to boot. (Most of the time my husband is in the Truck sleeping, I’m the day driver, he’s the night driver.)

If we as Catholics live our faith, people are drawn to it…

So do I think we as Catholics need to knock on doors? Nope. If we live our faith, people will see it and they’ll be drawn to it.

 

[ralphinal]

In Luke 10 Christ sends them to towns and if needed they were to speak in the streets about the kingdom of God. They are to go to one house; presumably to stay and lodge and make that their home base. Now the culture is different and we cannot be anachronistic too much but the call is to go and heal and speak about Christ. That is one of our examples. Performing good works in the name of Christ is one thing but there is a biblical example of preaching and teaching others about the kingdom.

You are correct, but the charge of Christ was not to go to one-on-one door knocking. It was to proclaim the Good News to all that would hear.

The part about staying in one house is connected to the idea of hospitality in that area and era.

 

[wwolverine]

I recognize my church’s efforts in spreading the gospel, by knocking on doors as the Jehovah’s Witnesses as well (I have had countless JWs knocking on my door), why if the Catholic church is the true church of Christ are not Catholics knocking on doors and spreading Catholicism?

Are Catholics ashamed of the Roman Catholic church or what? If the rest of the world should be converted to Catholicism, as you profess, why are not the average Catholic not actively spreading Catholicism? Why does it take Catholic.com or other apologists more active in this effort than a typical Catholic?

What confuses me is that why are JW’s out to convince Catholics or Protestants, or any other sect?

During the time of Jesus too there were sects of Judaism. But no where we find that Jesus was out to convince one sect from the other, NO, Eventually, Jesus went to the Gentiles,a nd thats what we were. But here we have JW;s instead of convincing the Hindus, Jews, Muslims, and all other religions, ( door to door propogation,) want to convince Catholics.

We do have our differences but ultimately, we follow the same Holy Bible.

 

[wwolverine]

As a Catholic, I’ve never even thought about “knocking on doors”, truely the thought has never crossed my mind.

However, I have small books of John, that as a Truck Driver I do leave in Truck Stops, Restraunts, and yes even in public bathrooms.

Do I push my faith on anyone, nope it’s not going to happen. Do I show my faith daily…Yes always. Do people ask me questions about my faith…yes they do.

As a Catholic I wear my crucifix, brown scapular, and cross earrings and most of the time my Catholic Bracelets. (Just take one look at me and most people figure out in a hurry, I’m Catholic.)

If you see me at a Truck Stop Restraunt, most likely you’ll find me reading my Bible or a Catholic “type” of book, while I"m eating my dinner. It’s very “rare” that someone doesn’t approach me while I’m sitting there "minding my own business, in other words I’m not there to “preach” or knock on any Truckers Door, to win him or her over to Jesus. Yet, it’s amazing how just sitting there reading the Bible and eating how many people are drawn to me, because I am living my faith and I’m a Trucker Women to boot. (Most of the time my husband is in the Truck sleeping, I’m the day driver, he’s the night driver.)

If we as Catholics live our faith, people are drawn to it…

So do I think we as Catholics need to knock on doors? Nope. If we live our faith, people will see it and they’ll be drawn to it.

AMEN.

Adelore, May our Loving God always bless you.

 

[DeiGratia]

Interesting thoughts, all. This topic is dear to me, because I live around some JWs myself.

My life is a pretty normal “every day” life, but I still struggle with wondering whether I am a bold enough witness. I’m always challenged by the faith of so many saints who even in the face of death would not renounce their faith. And every time a Jehovah’s Witness or a Mormon comes to my door, I’m almost embarrassed at my lack of boldness to do the same. Yet I’m not convinced that that type of door-to-door proselytizing or the street-corner hellfire-breath preaching is what Christ would have us do either.

Our service to the needy in shelters, soup kitchens, prisons, etc., has often opened doors to share the gospel. I just don’t want to fall into the trap of routinely attending mass, visiting the sick, etc., just to appease my conscience.

Soli Dei Gratia

 

[ralphinal]

Are there any JW soup kitchens? Hospitals? Homeless shelters? Schools?

I may be wrong, but I am sure that JEsus said to feed, cloth, shelter, and care for those is need more than he said to knock on doors during dinner and tell them they are in spiritual trouble

 

[O.S.Luke]

18Then Jesus approached and said to [the disciples], “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” - New American Bible

The Great Commission says, “go”. It is not enough just to open the doors of our churches and wait for people to come to us. We are to take the Church into the world, not wait for the world to come to us. Making disciples requires us to be proactive, not passive.

I am not a fan on knocking on doors either. However, in an increasingly secularized and poorly catechized world, Christians will have to be more proactive than before. I have more people in adult confirmation classes than I do children; in America, at least, we more than two generations of people who have not previously been churched or grown up in a church tradition. Their question is “Why do I need the Church?” While we may say that’s selfish and self-centered, the onus is on us to convince them otherwise.

Disciples beget disciples.

 

[jesuspsr]

As a Catholic, I’ve never even thought about “knocking on doors”, truely the thought has never crossed my mind.

However, I have small books of John, that as a Truck Driver I do leave in Truck Stops, Restraunts, and yes even in public bathrooms.

Do I push my faith on anyone, nope it’s not going to happen. Do I show my faith daily…Yes always. Do people ask me questions about my faith…yes they do.

As a Catholic I wear my crucifix, brown scapular, and cross earrings and most of the time my Catholic Bracelets. (Just take one look at me and most people figure out in a hurry, I’m Catholic.)

If you see me at a Truck Stop Restraunt, most likely you’ll find me reading my Bible or a Catholic “type” of book, while I"m eating my dinner. It’s very “rare” that someone doesn’t approach me while I’m sitting there "minding my own business, in other words I’m not there to “preach” or knock on any Truckers Door, to win him or her over to Jesus. Yet, it’s amazing how just sitting there reading the Bible and eating how many people are drawn to me, because I am living my faith and I’m a Trucker Women to boot. (Most of the time my husband is in the Truck sleeping, I’m the day driver, he’s the night driver.)

If we as Catholics live our faith, people are drawn to it…

So do I think we as Catholics need to knock on doors? Nope. If we live our faith, people will see it and they’ll be drawn to it.

Nice very nice:thumbsup:
May St. Cristopher protect you and your husband on the road.
God bless
…jesus g

 

[estesbob]

I recognize my church’s efforts in spreading the gospel, by knocking on doors as the Jehovah’s Witnesses as well (I have had countless JWs knocking on my door), why if the Catholic church is the true church of Christ are not Catholics knocking on doors and spreading Catholicism?

Are Catholics ashamed of the Roman Catholic church or what? If the rest of the world should be converted to Catholicism, as you profess, why are not the average Catholic not actively spreading Catholicism? Why does it take Catholic.com or other apologists more active in this effort than a typical Catholic?

As a Mormon you are allowed to enter any Catholic Church in the world.Is the same true of Mormom Temples? Are Mormons ashamed of what goes on in their temples? If the rest of the world whould be converted to the LDS denomination shouldnt the average Mormon let people see what goes on in their Temples?

 

[Catholic20064]

I recognize my church’s efforts in spreading the gospel, by knocking on doors as the Jehovah’s Witnesses as well (I have had countless JWs knocking on my door), why if the Catholic church is the true church of Christ are not Catholics knocking on doors and spreading Catholicism?

Are Catholics ashamed of the Roman Catholic church or what? If the rest of the world should be converted to Catholicism, as you profess, why are not the average Catholic not actively spreading Catholicism? Why does it take Catholic.com or other apologists more active in this effort than a typical Catholic?

Even LDS leaders recognize that door-to-door missionary work is very unfruitful. I seem to remember being told that only 1 of 1000 door contacts wound up with someone entering the LDS Church. The better method of evangelization occurs when an LDS member fellowships a non-LDS person. I think Catholic evangelistic work is generally of that nature. It seems to be more successful than LDS efforts – there are many more adults in our area entering the Catholic Church than the LDS Church. I would say there are 20X as many new adult Catholics in my area as there are new adult LDS. So I would say the Catholic Church doesn’t do door-to-door work because it is ineffective. The number of converts who stay Catholic after conversion seems to be higher than the number of LDS converts who remain LDS as well.

 

[thecourt]

As I reviewed some replies, you claimed that ordinances such as baptism were closed to others. FALSE FALSE FALSE!!!

Any ordinance, meeting, or event is open to anyone in the churches, which are open to the public.

Regarding door knocking further, as the restored church of Jesus Christ, our main focus is to share our beliefs with others and they are teach by the full time missionaries. Door knocking is not the most productive, nonetheless is one way of sharing the gospel.

 

[estesbob]

As I reviewed some replies, you claimed that ordinances such as baptism were closed to others. FALSE FALSE FALSE!!!

Any ordinance, meeting, or event is open to anyone in the churches, which are open to the public.

Regarding door knocking further, as the restored church of Jesus Christ, our main focus is to share our beliefs with others and they are teach by the full time missionaries. Door knocking is not the most productive, nonetheless is one way of sharing the gospel.

Are weddings?

 

[twopekinguys]

As I reviewed some replies, you claimed that ordinances such as baptism were closed to others. FALSE FALSE FALSE!!!

Any ordinance, meeting, or event is open to anyone in the churches, which are open to the public.

Regarding door knocking further, as the restored church of Jesus Christ, our main focus is to share our beliefs with others and they are teach by the full time missionaries. Door knocking is not the most productive, nonetheless is one way of sharing the gospel.

Are the baptisms for the dead open to the public?

Are the wedding sealings open to the public?

Are the sealings to one’s family open to the public?

NO!!! NO!!! NO!!!

 

[Janet1983]

As I reviewed some replies, you claimed that ordinances such as baptism were closed to others. FALSE FALSE FALSE!!!

Any ordinance, meeting, or event is open to anyone in the churches, which are open to the public.

Regarding door knocking further, as the restored church of Jesus Christ, our main focus is to share our beliefs with others and they are teach by the full time missionaries. Door knocking is not the most productive, nonetheless is one way of sharing the gospel.

Oh you’re not even part of the mainstream LDS church, but part of the restored church of Jesus Christ… ok… different denomination different issues…
For them you have to have a temple permit to get into the temple… and ordinances are done at the temple…
They also send missionaries from door to door… usually in pairs with one who is more experienced and one who isn’t…

 

[crazzeto]

I recognize my church’s efforts in spreading the gospel, by knocking on doors as the Jehovah’s Witnesses as well (I have had countless JWs knocking on my door), why if the Catholic church is the true church of Christ are not Catholics knocking on doors and spreading Catholicism?

Are Catholics ashamed of the Roman Catholic church or what? If the rest of the world should be converted to Catholicism, as you profess, why are not the average Catholic not actively spreading Catholicism? Why does it take Catholic.com or other apologists more active in this effort than a typical Catholic?

Good question, we probably should be.

 

[wmscott]

One day two young ladies knocked at my door, and with big smiles and batting of eyes, I was invited to the new local upstart Baptist church in the area. They proceeded to tell me how wonderful and friendly it was, and that they wanted to come, worship, and hear the Gospel proclaimed with them. I said I would be delighted and they broke out in beaming smiles of glee, however when I said under one condition their glee waned very fast and asked what that condition was. I said that if I came and worshiped with them, they had to return the favor and come to my Church and worship one Sunday with me. Their smiles and glee returned to previous levels and they said that they would love to. They asked me what Church I went to, and I said Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The look in their faces was as if I had just driven a steak in their hearts, they could not hide their disdain and disgust at such a thought. The Gospel is the Gospel, same for me as it is for them, right.

 

[Catholic20064]

Good question, we probably should be.

I disagree. Door-to-door proselyting is very inefficient. The best way for us to evangelize is being open to those who we know in our social circles. Demonstrate your belief in Christ’s Catholic Church through your actions and you will do much more than you can do going door-to-door. Even Mormon leaders acknowledge that door-to-door proselyting is next to worthless. When I was a Mormon missionary, we always hoped the members would find people for us to speak to because going door-to-door wasted a lot of time – we hardly ever found people interested in the LDS Church doing it that way.

 

[FightingFat]

I recognize my church’s efforts in spreading the gospel, by knocking on doors as the Jehovah’s Witnesses as well (I have had countless JWs knocking on my door), why if the Catholic church is the true church of Christ are not Catholics knocking on doors and spreading Catholicism?

Are Catholics ashamed of the Roman Catholic church or what? If the rest of the world should be converted to Catholicism, as you profess, why are not the average Catholic not actively spreading Catholicism? Why does it take Catholic.com or other apologists more active in this effort than a typical Catholic?

It’s a bit salesy for me. I preach the Gospel all the time, I don’t need to use words.

 

[crazzeto]

I disagree. Door-to-door proselyting is very inefficient. The best way for us to evangelize is being open to those who we know in our social circles. Demonstrate your belief in Christ’s Catholic Church through your actions and you will do much more than you can do going door-to-door. Even Mormon leaders acknowledge that door-to-door proselyting is next to worthless. When I was a Mormon missionary, we always hoped the members would find people for us to speak to because going door-to-door wasted a lot of time – we hardly ever found people interested in the LDS Church doing it that way.

I don’t disagree here either, but we should be evangalizing because we do have the fullest expression of the truth of god

For a number of years, particularly durring the horrible first few decades after Vatican II durring which the new church document was sorely misunderstood we became terrible at this. We should evangalize.

 

[twopekinguys]

One day two young ladies knocked at my door, and with big smiles and batting of eyes, I was invited to the new local upstart Baptist church in the area. They proceeded to tell me how wonderful and friendly it was, and that they wanted to come, worship, and hear the Gospel proclaimed with them. I said I would be delighted and they broke out in beaming smiles of glee, however when I said under one condition their glee waned very fast and asked what that condition was. I said that if I came and worshiped with them, they had to return the favor and come to my Church and worship one Sunday with me. Their smiles and glee returned to previous levels and they said that they would love to. They asked me what Church I went to, and I said Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The look in their faces was as if I had just driven a steak in their hearts, they could not hide their disdain and disgust at such a thought. The Gospel is the Gospel, same for me as it is for them, right.

Bravo!!

I do the same thing.

Many of the ones I have done it with, have actually come to Mass. Several have remarked at how beautiful it was, and several stated they learned many of the things they *thought *they new about Catholocism was very much off the mark.

While I don’t think any of them have converted. (They haven’t come through our RCIA if they did) I think it has helped with eccumenical relations in the community.