Pray
pray pray! and Fast, fast, fast. and pray some more. Why do you say that? There is plenty wrong with Protestant churches.
You probably would do more harm than good by trying “to convert her to Catholicism” as you say. Even though most Protestants will argue about this, “salvation” is a process, and we’re all at some stage of the process. Your friend is engaged in her own process. For sure, there are much worse things to be than a non-denominational Christian. Most of them are in some degree of doctrinal error, but most of them are also very good, loving people who are in process of salvation. Our Church refers to them as “separated brethren.” As for how to approach the situation, I agree with the idea of prayer, though I probably would avoid telling her that you’re praying for her. Just be her friend, and make no derogatory comments about her choice. Never fail to witness your own faith, but keep it in positive terms rather than holding her denomination up to the light for examination. She will come to her own conclusions over time.
That’s my assessment. They have some of the truth but never all of it. Their biases disqualify them from having the truth. And, as much as they like to think they are the Church, well, I have a differing opinion.
I agree here. There is nothing you can do or say to make someone change their mind and join our team. There are plenty of problems in non-denominational/protestant faiths. But, most Christians practicing an incomplete faith are not on a path to destruction as some Catholics lament. The biggest problem I see is we are missing part of our body. I look next to me on Sunday and wonder who is supposed to be here. The focuses of other denominations are missing in our church as is our focus in theirs. IMHO we are as incomplete without our separated brethren as they are without us. We truly need to find a way to bring everyone together for the good of our Church and for the good of this world!
Is your best friend a member of a different church already? Or is your friend looking for a church to join? This could change how you go about it. If your friend is just looking into Churches, invite her to your church and see how he likes it.Obvioulsy if he is a member of a different church this changes things a bit.
Be the best witness you can. She will remember the way you act and carry yourself as a child of God far longer and it will have a greater impact on her than anything you could say. Like I recommended earlier if she is looking for a church, invite her to yours and tell her you would be happy to answer any questions she would have.
for her.“On the surface” (as I said), there’s nothing wrong with Protestantism. Unfortunately, as the saying goes, it’s a mile wide and only an inch deep.
That saying about Protestantism being a “mile wide and an inch deep is right on” in my experiences. However, I must say that I am very thankful to God that I was first exposed to Him by my mother’s raising me up in a “Bible-Belt wide” Baptist upbringing. Although, I’ve since journeyed home to Rome and I no longer agree with many of the Baptist’s inch-deep doctrines at least many of these other churches are exposing people to the Lord’s Gospel. My little brother, his wife, and their toddler son are now regular attendees of a non-denom church after not attending any church since our child-hood. I thought it was interesting that at the same time I was heading from the baptist church into the RCC, my brother was coming back to God after years of absence. I know they are not getting the full-message, but God’s “mile-wide” reach will eventually bring them all home.
:yup: I agree that we have to dedicate ourselves to the Gospel message.
I pray that it happens.That saying about Protestantism being a “mile wide and an inch deep is right on” in my experiences. However, I must say that I am very thankful to God that I was first exposed to Him by my mother’s raising me up in a “Bible-Belt wide” Baptist upbringing. Although, I’ve since journeyed home to Rome and I no longer agree with many of the Baptist’s inch-deep doctrines at least many of these other churches are exposing people to the Lord’s Gospel. My little brother, his wife, and their toddler son are now regular attendees of a non-denom church after not attending any church since our child-hood. I thought it was interesting that at the same time I was heading from the baptist church into the RCC, my brother was coming back to God after years of absence. I know they are not getting the full-message, but God’s “mile-wide” reach will eventually bring them all home.
God is thirsty for Souls!Sorry but that is not correct. You are only saying that because you are a Baptist. If that is what you think then why are you here? (rhetorical question)
Thank you for your prayers AlegreFeI pray that it happens.
I also pray that someday all proclaiming Christians can be united together as Jesus prayed to our Father.
I believe if you took a “What we believe as Baptists” course in seven different Baptist Churches you would get seven different answers and thus seven different ‘truths’. I recall an article in the Baptist Herald a year or so ago that applauded the fact that there were so many different Baptist churches with different beliefs. I think the ridiculous point the author was trying to make is that they are “unified in their disunity”:whacky: