Maybe I should stay Protestant

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Dave_in_Dallas

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I’m more than a little disappointed in my journey back to the RC church and my side curiosity in the EOC. I’ve been two EO churches, both VERY small, and obviously a visitor, little was done to evangelize me. There was a couple of nice folks there… but almost nothing done to want me to come back to that congregation…
At least RC parishes have a local radio station to evangelize, but the local parishes aren’t overly friendly either.
I am scheduled to get my marriage convalidated next month… but I figured now would be a good time to make sure that I want to get back into the RC. Whatever I choose… I want it to be the last time.
I like what I read about the EO approach to theology… but without instruction…
I kind of get a “you should feel priviledged to worship with us” from the EO & RC churches. The local Protestant churches do everything they can to get more members and follow-up with visitors, get their name, address, visit their home, give them an info packet, etc…
I came away thinking… they’re not friendly, a lot of non-english speaking folks, what do I have in common with them? Why investigate changing if they’re not really interested in converts…
 
The idea is about your realtionship with God not with man. Many in my town have “left” the Church because of “fellowship”…they wanted to socialize. I find that very shallow. It is one facet of church but not “the” most important.

Good luck and God bless…listen quietly and HE will lead you…
 
It varies from parish to parish. Mine has a whole ministry that helps Catholics come home, especially now with the campaign and everything. But what are you looking for as far as ‘evangelism’?
 
Truth is what matters, not socializing. Go where you find truth. You can socialize anywhere.
 
I think it should be a “feeling”, an instinct that guides you. Sometimes it’s hard to listen to what other people say and do. As far as born again christians go, i agree with the person who said they just want to socialize and in a way have fun.

Keep praying. 🙂

louise
 
What I mean is that if you go to a church and your a visitor… and everyone knows you’re a visitor… I would expect someone to at least thank me for coming, ask us to come back, maybe ask what I thought, or at least show some interest in getting us to come back… (thinking of the Great commission)
 
TheresaLS said:
The idea is about your realtionship with God not with man. Many in my town have “left” the Church because of “fellowship”…they wanted to socialize. I find that very shallow. It is one facet of church but not “the” most important.

Good luck and God bless…listen quietly and HE will lead you…
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I agree with the above statment. Although, there are ways to socialize outside of the Mass. Most Churches have prayer groups, bible studies, etc. Also, have you ever thought of joining the Knights of Columbus. It is a good way to meet fellow Catholic men along with serving the Catholic Church & local community.
 
Dave_in_Dallas said:
What I mean is that if you go to a church and your a visitor… and everyone knows you’re a visitor… I would expect someone to at least thank me for coming, ask us to come back, maybe ask what I thought, or at least show some interest in getting us to come back… (thinking of the Great commission)
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Not everybody lives up to the expectations that we have. I don’t and since you are human…I’m sure you don’t. What matters is that we go to Mass or Divine Liturgy to worship God. 🙂
 
Hey Dave,
I know what you mean. I’ve had protestants tripping over themselves to invite me to their potlucks and the Catholics, meh, they mind their own.
I know people say this varies parish to parish, but I would agree with you that if you are looking at OVERALL trends, the protestants, particularly evangelicals, are WAY more ‘hey, what’s up? How are you?’ kind of folks than the Catholics.
If I may offer some advice…to some extent, it’s the nature of the beast. Remember that for Catholics, they show up to Mass because JESUS IS PRESENT there. That’s it. Eh, maybe the fellowship is nice, maybe the homily is nice, praise and worship is nice, but really, what it all boils down to is, once transubstantiation occurs, Jesus Christ is really, truly present. And, Catholic Masses are simply not built around the idea of fellowship. I’ve been to evangelical worship services where talking, I mean full on conversations is fully encouraged, whereas they’d boot you out for that at a Catholic Mass! Again, it’s the nature of the service that is so different. The Catholic Mass focuses on reverence. Protestant services, joy. Catholic Mass, sorrow for your sins. Protestant services (depending on the denomination) joy that you’re saved so you know you’re getting in to heaven.
🤷
So, to some extent, it’s just How Things Are, and, if you are hoping for something different, I’m afraid you’re right, it’s just not going to BE different.
To some extent, I think it CAN and WILL change, somewhat. Clearly, no one’s gonna be swapping crock pot recipes during Mass, but I don’t think you’re looking for that. I think you’re looking for a friendly hello and SOME interest in you, right? Not too much to ask? I agree with you and I think CAtholic parishes can go a LONG way in fixing that part of the situation.
Okay, all that being said, I think you need to examine exactly WHY you are re-entering the Catholic church. If you are looking for fellowship, you’ll probably get more of that with protestants. (I hope that will change eventually, but I think for now, that’s probably a true statement). If you’re looking for what the Catholic Church says she is - the one and only true Church established by Christ, then, I think you know where you’ll be, too.
Look, the only reason to DO or BE anything is because it’s true. So, if the Catholic Church is true, you should run to her as fast as you can. If she’s not, then I think you can stay far, far away from her without reservation or concern.
Just my two cents…
🙂
I’ll pray for your journey.
🙂
 
Dave_in_Dallas said:
What I mean is that if you go to a church and your a visitor… and everyone knows you’re a visitor… I would expect someone to at least thank me for coming, ask us to come back, maybe ask what I thought, or at least show some interest in getting us to come back… (thinking of the Great commission)
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One more thing, if you do decide that teh Catholic Church is the right place for you, then I woudl suggest that it will need to be YOU who stretches out his hand and builds fellowship. I did that at my parish. I actually befriended one woman there and I ended up just writing her a long, babbling email about all the stuff I think we should be doing at the parish. She sent it on to father. Now I have more parishoners calling me about getting stuff going than I had ever dreamed of! Ha! I asked for it! Anyway, what I’m saying is, if you decide to re-enter the RCC, do what you can to make the best of it. 🙂
 
I believe that I have had a similiar experience. It’s not evangelicalism but, I believe, a sense of community. Reading the responses were a bit disheartening. The church is not just the body and blood of Christ. The church is a community brought together by the presence of Christ. Why not a simple hello welcome? We are all in the same community whether you are from far off lands or just down the block. WE come together to worship and bring Christ to worship with us. I do understand the importance of Christ’s presence but that is not all he asks of us in our worship. I may be young in my understanding but please in your love of Christ do not abandon the love of your neighbor.
 
Hi Dave,

I subscribe to the thinking that if I find something lacking, then I need to be a part of the solution…So when I found the Religious Education program at my church to be lacking, I volunteered to teach…and answering that call to be a Catechist has renewed my faith and begun a transformation that has truly been life altering…So find a church where you feel comfortable, and listen for God’s call, then do not be afraid to be a part of something beautiful…

Yours in Christ,

Maria
 
Dave_in_Dallas said:
What I mean is that if you go to a church and your a visitor… and everyone knows you’re a visitor… I would expect someone to at least thank me for coming, ask us to come back, maybe ask what I thought, or at least show some interest in getting us to come back… (thinking of the Great commission)
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That is something you should get. However keep in mind that there are such things as Parishes in any communion which are rather spiritually dead, and don’t want new converts.
 
Dave_in_Dallas said:
I’m more than a little disappointed in my journey back to the RC church and my side curiosity in the EOC. I’ve been two EO churches, both VERY small, and obviously a visitor, little was done to evangelize me. There was a couple of nice folks there… but almost nothing done to want me to come back to that congregation…
At least RC parishes have a local radio station to evangelize, but the local parishes aren’t overly friendly either.
I am scheduled to get my marriage convalidated next month… but I figured now would be a good time to make sure that I want to get back into the RC. Whatever I choose… I want it to be the last time.
I like what I read about the EO approach to theology… but without instruction…
I kind of get a “you should feel priviledged to worship with us” from the EO & RC churches. The local Protestant churches do everything they can to get more members and follow-up with visitors, get their name, address, visit their home, give them an info packet, etc…
I came away thinking… they’re not friendly, a lot of non-english speaking folks, what do I have in common with them? Why investigate changing if they’re not really interested in converts…
Click to expand...
In the end, conversion should be based on “is this the true Church? Is this what God wants?” and not subjective things like “how welcoming are these or those people?”

Just my humble opinion.
 
Nine_Two said:
That is something you should get. However keep in mind that there are such things as Parishes in any communion which are rather spiritually dead, and don’t want new converts.
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Churches like this will probably be liquor stores, night clubs or something else in a few years after they have died on the vine.
 
You are not picking a social club you are picking a church. Most protestants are used to just socalizing because lets be honest, thats all they do on sundays.
 
Liturgy is not a “me & God” thing… it is a WE, US, & the communion of the Saints… it’s about WE as ONE worshipping God and bringing others to Him… if I already have Him I am supposed to share Him…
I’m not talking about “socializing” I’m speaking about bringing others to Truth…
 
CatholicGuy22 said:
You are not picking a social club you are picking a church. Most protestants are used to just socalizing because lets be honest, thats all they do on sundays.
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Your header might be more truth than poetry.“Bible Christian” after all the Bible came to us in the modern day by means of the Catholic Church. 👍
 
Dave_in_Dallas said:
Liturgy is not a “me & God” thing… it is a WE, US, & the communion of the Saints… it’s about WE as ONE worshipping God and bringing others to Him… if I already have Him I am supposed to share Him…
I’m not talking about “socializing” I’m speaking about bringing others to Truth…
Click to expand...
Amen. The Liturgy is supposed to be communal. 🙂

In Christ,
Andrew
 
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