Preaching in Public

[Fiery_Preacher]

No disrespect, but what I was referring to when I said experiences was just that …experiences NOT misconceptions from afar. If the OP wants to go out and preach that is their business. But there will be a large majority of people who will be turned off by it and others who know their own faith very well, who are ready and willing to get into a theological debate. The OP should be ready for that as those individuals can easily discredit someone who is not a true apologist.

Do not be afraid of the world. We should not base our ministry off of the reactions of men. Or the ears of men, but the ears of God.

We should count suffering as a blessing. Why would the opinions of the world have any bearing whatsoever on the actions of the ministry? The only opinion that matters is that of Jesus Christ.

 

[Fiery_Preacher]

Could the OP be called to seek public office to attempt change from within? How should the OP discern their gift is for preaching vs. general public oratory?

I know a lot about politics. But, quite frankly it is insulting to me, whether you meant it or not, that preachers would be compared to politicians.

I believe there’s a joke that says… “I took offense to my friend’s comment comparing politicians to snakes, I mean… that is a huge discredit to snakes, they’re an important part of the food chain after all”.

I probably butchered that, but you get the idea.
Anyways, no, I will not be involved in politics in my life. At least, I’m very very sure of this at the moment. I believe that politics cannot solve the problems in this country, or indeed in the world at large. The less faith there is, the more twisted the politics will become. The less faith there is, the more twisted everything will become.

“Every problem in the world is due to lukewarm Catholics” - Pope St. Pius V

Granted, perhaps the time and place should be considered in that quote. Still, even taken with a grain of salt, it holds truth for us today.

 

[Fiery_Preacher]

or frank mental illness. Both bipolar and schizophrenia can lead to delusions of grandeur, where the person believes that he/she has a message for the world.

Yeah, wow.
I know you have 19,000 + posts. But, I’m sure that violates the rules here in multiple ways. But, I won’t report you on any of them. I expect an apology via PM, before I’m done here. And yes, I’m done.

It has been rather interesting to get feedback here. But, I shouldn’t have come onto CAF again. Internet communication is terrible. Face to face communication is far superior. And of course the Catholic Church believes that. That’s never going to change. There’s never going to be a time where the answer to the question: “So, when did you become a Christian?”

Will be answered, “in front of my computer screen”. And I’m sure someone could argue that point, but even if that does happen, I would hope most Catholics, and indeed Christians would see that as problematic.

There shouldn’t be online confession. And, if you’re not baptized you’re not a Christian… so… if we were to get technical. It really is impossible to happen. But, I suppose people could still answer that question that way. It just wouldn’t be true.

Yeah no, I don’t have schizophrenia though. And I’m not bipolar. And I also don’t have delusions of grandeur… which again, is equally considered to be a mental illness and not a personal opinion. So, thank you. I feel very offended. And I’m sure I’d get emotional, if I hadn’t already had my spiritual quandary answered by the Holy Spirit in the last few days.

Oh, and guess what, while this thread represents the same thing I’ve been struggling with in prayer. God didn’t accuse me of being mentally ill, or narcissistic. Yeah, the saying is true, that time spent in prayer is perfectly spent. I can’t say the same of spending it on CAF talking to the people here.

Again, I’m very offended. And, in lieu of reporting you. I would like an apology via PM.

 

[Fiery_Preacher]

about a month to go. I’m looking forward to daily reports.

Your views on Paul as being “good with a crowd” were adequately rebuked in post #19 on this thread. Read that post again. I have nothing more to say to you, except this:

To say that Paul knew how to work a crowd is to rob the Holy Spirit of His glory. It was 100% the Holy Spirit and 0% Paul. The Holy Spirit even chose a murderous pharisee so that this point wouldn’t be lost. Well, apparently the point has been lost by some.

Don’t rob God of His Glory.

 

[Fiery_Preacher]

Final Update
This will likely be my final post here. And on this account. I’d love to keep responding to people criticizing me, and attacking my character… but there’s no point. That criticism doesn’t hurt me, it hurts you. It hurts you all spiritually, and it is totally uncharitable and is unrepresentative of the conduct of a Christian.

Since my post #9 on this thread, where I said I was perhaps discerning in prayer that the Lord God would provide an appropriate time and place for preaching, where my gift might be used most efficaciously… it seems that the details of the Lord’s plan have materialized to me.

I really don’t want to read what any of you say *. I’m sure, by the posts I’ve read on here, that you all think I’m not sincere at all. Well, this will be the last time I turn to CAF for a sincere problem. I have a spiritual director, as I’ve said somewhere on this thread.

For the rest of my life, I’ll just turn to priests, or other people I actually know in real life. Apparently my sincerity has been completely lost on all of you. Or perhaps you all just hate Protestant street preachers, so you carry that hatred over to a spiritual part of the body. People that are called to preach and teach. The two are synonymous. Teaching in this sense is spiritual, as in “instruction in the Apostles doctrine”, which we read about in Acts 2. So, it’s not referring to teachers. The education system wasn’t invented yet. But, religious instruction, or to teach the gospel.

Many parts, one body. Do not attack my part of the body. If I was called to work at a homeless shelter, I would pursue that with the same zeal as I pursue my calling in this world. And, I’m sure no one would call me mentally ill for performing that ministry. But, my gifts have not led me to serve the homeless… as best as I can tell, I have the spiritual gifts of preaching, teaching, knowledge, wisdom, and leadership. And that’s all I know right now. My heart also sometimes feels like its physically on fire when I pray… but I don’t know if that constitutes a spiritual gift.

And yes, I like talking to non-Catholic Christians about these things, because they actually use this language. Quite frankly, if you don’t know what your spiritual gifts are, and you are reading this, then I’d prefer that you find out what they are. Rather than mock me.

So yeah, my experience has been terrible here. This wasn’t my first, but I think it will be my last. I barely came back. And, I won’t have any positives to draw me back again.

Again: Priests and parishoners > CAF members
Real Life > Internet​

If I was not clear, for those of you who might be interested. It has become clear to me, in prayer. As I sincerely approached this. That the Lord God will gather certain people at my parish together, at a certain time later this year. And I will preach to them, I hope not a single word that is my own, but let every word I speak be breathed by the Holy Spirit.

I’m very excited. I have friends at my parish who are very excited for me. And there are friends at my parish who will be alongside me.

And, the ministry which we will be starting, by the grace of God, will not be related to street preaching, or the contraception mandate. But, rather preaching and teaching as it is related to the Word of God. IE: Forming Bible studies for the purposes of making disciples of Christ. Both inside and outside the Church.

Yep.
Goodbye.
And may the Lord God Bless and keep every one of you.
I hope each one of you discerns the gifts and talents that the Lord has entrusted to you. Remembering Luke 14:48. I hope each one of you would do the Lord’s will, and that you would be made saints, and would share in the inheritance of our baptism. Namely, salvation.

Pax vobiscum!*

 

[Fairwinds]

…
This will likely be my final post here. And on this account. I’d love to keep responding to people criticizing me, and attacking my character… but there’s no point. That criticism doesn’t hurt me, it hurts you. It hurts you all spiritually, and it is totally uncharitable and is unrepresentative of the conduct of a Christian…!

we’re counting on updates. you’re a shining example of someone who talks the talk.

and, by the way, if you’re offended and think anyone here is criticizing you, what will you do when you start preaching at people and they laugh or throw starbucks cups, or even … God forbid … ignore you

 

[Fairwinds]

Your views on Paul as being “good with a crowd” were adequately rebuked in post #19 on this thread. Read that post again. I have nothing more to say to you, except this:

To say that Paul knew how to work a crowd is to rob the Holy Spirit of His glory. It was 100% the Holy Spirit and 0% Paul. The Holy Spirit even chose a murderous pharisee so that this point wouldn’t be lost. Well, apparently the point has been lost by some.

Don’t rob God of His Glory.

who “rebuked them”? you Lt. Weinberg?