Should I Join This Club?

[ivory]

Hello, all. It’s been a while since I’ve posted around here.

My local community college has a Christian club called the Campus Crusade for Christ. Apparently it’s a branch of a larger organization (Found here at ccci.org/ for the curious). I was heading to my next class the other day when I saw this club meet outside the main student activity center. It mainly one or two people speaking to a crowd in the open about the Christian faith. There was also a booth that had applications and information about the club’s activities. I felt like it would be a good enough idea to check it out to see what I could find out about the group. I’m currently experiencing a major crisis of faith, so the idea of a “support group” of fellow Christians was very appealing.

At the booth, I talked to a very friendly looking student who asked me if I was a Christian. I told him yes, and he handed me a form I could fill out if I was interested in joining the club. Out of curiosity, I asked him a question of my own.

“Does denomination matter in this club?” I asked.

The man paused for a moment. “It shouldn’t. Why? What are you?”

“Catholic,” was my response.

He paused again, this time longer than the last. “Well, as long as you believe that Jesus Christ is the one mediator between man and God, you’ll be fine,” was his answer, emphasis on “one”. The way he said that was a bit concerning to me. My concerns were compounded when I read through the sheet. In the personal information section (Name, contact info, etc.) was the question “Are you Saved?” This cemented my suspicion that this club is (likely) Protestant.

My question is: Would it be okay for me to join this club if it is predominately Protestant? I have a nagging feeling that I might encounter anti-Catholic sentiment, which would be bad because I don’t possess the proper knowledge to defend my currently weakened faith.

Thanks.

• Ivory

 

[Tietjen]

Hello, all. It’s been a while since I’ve posted around here.

Hi Ivory and welcome back.

My local community college has a Christian club called the Campus Crusade for Christ. Apparently it’s a branch of a larger organization (Found here at ccci.org/ for the curious). I was heading to my next class the other day when I saw this club meet outside the main student activity center. It mainly one or two people speaking to a crowd in the open about the Christian faith. There was also a booth that had applications and information about the club’s activities. I felt like it would be a good enough idea to check it out to see what I could find out about the group. I’m currently experiencing a major crisis of faith, so the idea of a “support group” of fellow Christians was very appealing.

Campus Crusade for Christ is a non-denominational Protestant organization. If you are having a crisis of faith, I would not suggest becoming involved with this organization. You may find yourself being talked out of the Church and into Protestantism otherwise. I wouldn’t recommend becoming involved with them even if a Catholic were firm in their faith but especially not when they are going through a period of doubt.

At the booth, I talked to a very friendly looking student who asked me if I was a Christian. I told him yes, and he handed me a form I could fill out if I was interested in joining the club. Out of curiosity, I asked him a question of my own.

“Does denomination matter in this club?” I asked.

The man paused for a moment. “It shouldn’t. Why? What are you?”

“Catholic,” was my response.

Actually, Catholicism isn’t a denomination. There is only one Catholic Church. Protestants have many Churches (Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, etc) and those variations within the Protestant faiths are called denominations. We, as Catholics, have various orders and rites, but that is not the same as the Protestant’s denominations.

He paused again, this time longer than the last. “Well, as long as you believe that Jesus Christ is the one mediator between man and God, you’ll be fine,” was his answer, emphasis on “one”.

No you won’t. The comment was a slap in the face directed at Our Lady. It won’t stop there if you continue to journey toward joining this organization.

The way he said that was a bit concerning to me. My concerns were compounded when I read through the sheet. In the personal information section (Name, contact info, etc.) was the question “Are you Saved?” This cemented my suspicion that this club is (likely) Protestant.

It is definitely Protestant and should be avoided.

My question is: Would it be okay for me to join this club if it is predominately Protestant? I have a nagging feeling that I might encounter anti-Catholic sentiment, which would be bad because I don’t possess the proper knowledge to defend my currently weakened faith.

Again, I would suggest that you find a Catholic organization to join. Is there a Newman center on the campus? Perhaps one of the nearby parishes has social groups such as Theology on Tap, Legion of Mary, Ladies of Charity, a Young Adult Group, or other such ministry that you can become a part of. I’d speak to your parish priest for more suggestions and would certainly look into whether the campus has a Newman Center.

 

[Fiasco]

Hello, Ivory.

As a matter of urgency, all I can do is echo everything Tietjen has said. Even with the best of intentions on your part, just associating with these people would slowly but surely wear away your Faith. The “environment” would change you.

 

[FallenLeaf]

Wise advice above

 

[anruari]

I have to agree with the others.
If you have any possiblity of finding a catholic chaplaincy, support group or any other outreach or mission within a suitable radius you should not get involved with this organisation. if you are going through any form of crisis of faith these organisations will use it to lead you away from the True Church.

I went to Universtiy in England. There is a Tiny catholic population in many parts of this country (less than 2%) yet every university has a Catholic Chaplin, and many (most) have very active chaplaincies.

• Seek and you shall find!

 

[JRKH]

Ditto the above.

You said:
He paused again, this time longer than the last. “Well, as long as you believe that Jesus Christ is the one mediator between man and God, you’ll be fine,” was his answer, emphasis on “one”. The way he said that was a bit concerning to me. My concerns were compounded when I read through the sheet. In the personal information section (Name, contact info, etc.) was the question “Are you Saved?” This cemented my suspicion that this club is (likely) Protestant.

CCFC is not a “bad” organization but it is protestant and, as you noted from the application, it asks “Are you Saved” which is a phrase/question used by the more “evangelical” groups who tend to believe in OSAS.
Also the comment about the one mediator demonstrates that, at least the person you spoke with, rejects intercessory prayer to Mary and the Saints. So obviously if you were to join this group you would find yourself having to defend the Church even among fellow Christians and where you, as a Catholic, would be in the minority.

I would not join this organization.

Peace
James

 

[HerrZJA]

Is there a Knights of Columbus chapter in your city? I believe they are often involved in campus outreach programs. I’ve been very tempted lately to ask my local chapter if they could establish one at my campus.

We already have a Christian Fellowship, but my impression of it thus far is that it is dominated by the Protestant, Sola Scriptura, Once-Saved-Always-Saved crowd, so I tend to give it a wide enough berth.

 

[ivory]

Thank you all for the replies. As for any Catholic organizations, I’m not aware of any on my college’s campus. I am in contact with the pastor of the nearest Catholic church, so I hope I can get some answers.

As for the Campus Crusade for Christ, there was something else that bugged me. When I’ve walked by their meetings and seen their activities, I couldn’t help but think of this verse.
Matthew 6:5:

When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.

Given that Jesus has said this, are outdoor prayer meetings like this truly appropriate?

 

[JRKH]

Thank you all for the replies. As for any Catholic organizations, I’m not aware of any on my college’s campus. I am in contact with the pastor of the nearest Catholic church, so I hope I can get some answers.

As for the Campus Crusade for Christ, there was something else that bugged me. When I’ve walked by their meetings and seen their activities, I couldn’t help but think of this verse.

Given that Jesus has said this, are outdoor prayer meetings like this truly appropriate?

I would not be too harsh on them for these. Such prayer meetings are more for the building up of others and hopefully attracting new converts to Christ.

Peace
James

 

[FutureCatholic1]

why does the question “are you saved” to catholics mean im a protestant in rcia and this confused me a little

 

[ivory]

why does the question “are you saved” to catholics mean im a protestant in rcia and this confused me a little

From what I understand, it refers to the idea of “Once Saved Always Saved” (OSAS), which is the idea that once you believe in Jesus Christ, your salvation and entrance to Heaven are guaranteed. Personally, that idea doesn’t make sense. The gift of eternal life is something that has to be earned in my opinion. Just saying you accept Jesus doesn’t cut the mustard. You have to prove it, both in your beliefs and your actions.

 

[FutureCatholic1]

thank you that makes since i was sent to a baptist school so i was probably inducted into more stuff than i know about tho its funny i was raised quaker, baptised as a catholic and went to baptist school yet out of all of those God has called me to the church

 

[JRKH]

From what I understand, it refers to the idea of “Once Saved Always Saved” (OSAS), which is the idea that once you believe in Jesus Christ, your salvation and entrance to Heaven are guaranteed. Personally, that idea doesn’t make sense. The gift of eternal life is something that has to be earned in my opinion. Just saying you accept Jesus doesn’t cut the mustard. You have to prove it, both in your beliefs and your actions.

While I agree with what you are saying here in that our response to the gift of salvation must show itself in our lives, I must caution all to be careful about using the term “earn”.
We cannot “earn” our salvation. It is a free Gift of God to us if we have the good sense to accept it.

What we must do - indeed what is true evidence of out acceptance of the gift is the change in our hearts and minds and these naturally show in our actions. The more we love, the more we persevere, the more we grow in holiness the more assured we are of heaven.
This is not “earning”, but rather the natural response of Love, in Love, to Love.

Peace
James

 

[Jesus_123]

:bible1:
"For by grace you are saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves,
for it is the gift of** God**;
Not of works,
that no man may glory."
- Ephesians 2:8-9

+Our family’s life was greatly blessed of God for several years . . . with a treasured close friendship with a Presbyterian pastor who dearly loved the Lord . . . and had been Dr. Bill Bright’s roommate at seminary . . . Dr. Bright . . . rather than being called by God to a pastorate like our friend . . . discovered his calling was that of an . . . evangelist . . . and he became the founder of what is now the huge . . . dedicated and successful . . . Christ Centered . . . international evangelical ministry known as Campus Crusade for Christ . . . and we came into considerable contact with their wonderful evangelical . . . Christ Centered. . . Biblically . . . based materials . . . *much of which are excellent *. . . and saw for ourselves the wonder of the harvest of souls brought to the Lord through this extraordinary ministry . . . I have nothing but the greatest respect Dr. Bright’s evangelical work and ministry in the **Lord **. . .

Campus Crusade for Christ is essentially an . . . interdemoninational . . . profoundly evangelical organization . . . dedicated to introducing and drawing souls . . . by the Grace of God . . . into knowledge and awareness of the . . . Lord Jesus . . . as the . . . Blessed Christ . . . and encouraging a deep committed . . . personal and prayerful . . . relationship with. . .** Christ Jesus **. . . not only as as their Saviour for the salvation of their souls lost in sin . . . but as **Lord **of their daily lives . . . wherein humility is stressed . . . and new life in Christ is emphasized . . . where centeredness on “self” in life is replaced with being centered on "Christ" as Lord . . . and learning of God’s ways through the studying Sacred :bible1: Scripture is stressed . . . **but they don’t make any pretense of replacing the need for a church in the lives of their individual members **. . . they introduce souls to the Living Christ . . . and nurture them on the ****milk ****of the **Word of :bible1: God **. . . and in most groups you will find a wide range of Christian denominations represented in their members . . . as well as brand new souls just coming into the Christian Faith . . . so . . . yes . . . you will encounter souls who may have . . . various . . . understandings in some areas of the Faith which are not Catholic . . . but it would be a . . . **serious and rash error in prideful judgment **. . . to cast off the reality that God is indeed working in, with and through the Campus Crusade for Christ ministry . . . and has been for many years . . . and such a group certainly shouldn’t be cause for a Catholic to lose their well grounded Catholic faith in God . . . hopefully the original poster is faithfully attending the Holy Prayer of the Mass each week . . . and is staying in close contact with a Catholic Church in her area . . .

As to praying outdoors in the open air . . . in our time both the Blessed Pope John Paul the Great . . . and Pope Benedict XVI . . . have become famous worldwide for distinctly Catholic vast outdoor celebrations for thousands upon thousands upon thousands of prayerful people . . . participating in the Holy Prayer of the Mass . . . our **Lord Himself **accomplished the vast majority of His profoundly prayerful saving ministry outdoors . . .

:bible1: [11] And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some EVANGELISTS, and other some **pastors **and doctors, [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [13] Until we all meet into the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ; [14] That henceforth we be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the wickedness of men, by cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive. [15] But doing the truth in charity, we may in all things grow up in him who is the head, even Christ:​

. . . all for Jesus+
. . . thank You Blessed Lord our Saviour+
. . . thank You Gracious Heavenly Father+
. . . thank You Sweet Spirit of our Holy God+
. . . thank you Blessed Virgin Mary our Mother+
. . . thank you Holy Mother Church+​

 

[CatholicBoy1957]

studying Sacred Scripture is stressed

You mean “Sola Scriptura”, and “Private Interpretation”, as opposed to Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium. Such heavy exposure to serious heresy is grossly dangerous for someone who comes out and admits they don’t have proper knowledge and a weakend faith.

No thank you.

milk of the Word of God

Again, you mean “Sola Scriptura”, and “Private Interpretation”. That might be great for someone who is not Catholic, and is in eror anyway, but why can’t a Catholic find something a lot more orthodox?

various

The wilderness of denominationalism.

understandings in some areas of the Faith which are not Catholic

You are very generous. Too generous. Really. I’ll be blunt, but realistic. What you are euphemising is what I would refer to as HERESY.

and such a group certainly shouldn’t be cause for a Catholic to lose their well grounded Catholic faith in God

I wouldn’t count on it. Especially with someone that has admitted that they are not well grounded. One may not lose their faith in God, but will needlessly fall into heresy.

When I began my ecumenical adventures 32 years ago, there was so much I didn’t know about the Catholic Faith, but I knew enough to realize that leaving the Church needed to be a serious decision, and I was able to venture into ecumenism without many of the biases others fall into, such as love interests.

Holy Prayer of the Mass

What happened to the Holy SACRIFICE of the Mass?

 

[Allegra]

I never officially joined that group on my campus, but I did attend some Bible study sessions they offered in the dormitory as welll as some pro-life activities. The group actuallly included many Catholics, however, the organization is definately Protestant. If your university has a Catholic option, I would recommend it first. If not, use caution before becoming too involved in that organization. I think it depends alot on the individuals involved.

 

[Jesus_123]

+**
. . . :coffeeread: . . .**
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
PART ONE: THE PROFESSION OF FAITH

Article 2 - THE TRANSMISSION OF DIVINE REVELATION

81
Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit.

Article 3 - SACRED :bible1: SCRIPTURE

104
In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and her strength, for she welcomes it ** NOT** **as human word **, "but as what it really is, the Word of God."

"In the sacred books,
the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly
to meet his children, and talks with them."

:bible1: “Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths.” Psalm 118:105

:bible1: “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand …” Psalms 139:17-18b​

:bible1: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8​

:bible1: “So shall **my word **be that goeth forth out of **my **mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which **I **please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto **I **sent it.” Isaiah 55:11​

:bible1: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but **my words **shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35​

:bible1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1​

"And the
Word
was made flesh,
and dwelt among us,
and we saw his glory;
the glory as it were of the
only begotten of the Father,
full of grace and truth."
John 1:14

"Think no more of what people say, but of pleasing the Heart of Jesus alone, according to the lights **He **will give you. He loves you and He will never allow you to perish, as long as you trust in Him." - St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

. . . all for Jesus+
. . . thank You Blessed Lord+
. . . thank You Sweet Spirit of our Holy God+
. . . thank you Holy Mother Mary+
. . . thank you Holy Mother Church+
. . . Sacred Heart of Jesus+
. . . we trust in Thee+​

 

[The_Old_Medic]

Many communities with Colleges have a Newman Club, or a Catholic Student Center. Call your local parishes and ask if there is one. If there is, go there, where you will be among people of your own age level, and with similar beliefs.

If there is not specific student center, then look for a young adult group at a local parish.

Most Campus Crusade for Christ groups are somewhat anti-Catholic, and and not a good fit for anyone that believes themselves to be Catholic.

Look around, ask a Priest at a local church, and I am certain you will find a Catholic group that you will fit comfortably into.