Thinking about gonig a mega-church for a while.....

[EzraJacob]

You know, I’m really starting to doubt that Catholics believe Protestants are their brothers and sisters in Christ much less have love for them.

There are some very rude things being said on here and a lot of people on here are just coming off as judgmental and arrogant. How dare people say that going to any Christian church is a waste of time - even if it is a mega church. It is never a waste of time when someone is preaching God’s word. I have known a couple of Catholics, and there are some on here too, that came to know and learn more about Christ because they attended these mega churches that aren’t worth anyone’s time.

Going to a Protestant Church can be harmful to a Catholic. Last you want is to encourage the leaving of the Catholic church for a Protestant church because they attended a few sessions and became persuaded by the protestants that Catholicism is wrong. To encourage attendance to a Protestant church could be leading someone to commit a horrible sin.And that would bring shame on you.

 

[Kristin234]

Going to a Protestant Church can be harmful to a Catholic. Last you want is to encourage the leaving of the Catholic church for a Protestant church because they attended a few sessions and became persuaded by the protestants that Catholicism is wrong. To encourage attendance to a Protestant church could be leading someone to commit a horrible sin.And that would bring shame on you.

Well, I’m not Catholic. I am Protestant. Second, I’m not saying Catholics should leave the church and go to a Protestant church. What I am saying is that it is very rude and definitely not loving to be making fun of those that you call your “separated brothers and sisters.” I get so much mixed messages. One second I read about all this love towards Protestants and then the same people are making fun. I’m not saying do not disagree. By all means go ahead and state what you do not like. I have done the same, but there is a difference between stating what you do not like and just plain making fun.

Also, I’m not saying Catholics have been persuaded by a Protestant church and thus should join one. What I am saying is someone on here said that it is a waste of time and no on should say that when someone is preaching God’s word. Hearing the word of God is never a waste of time because it can bring a person closer to God. At one point my Catholic sister was iffy when it came to her faith and she came with me to one of my church services, and it actually helped her renew her faith in Christ. I’m not saying that she should start going to my church every weekend, but it did help her so it was not a waste of time just because it was a Protestant church.

 

[SnakeMauler]

Reminds me of what I said when people were asking me if I supported the building of the “ground zero mosque.” essentially I said I don’t support building a mosque at ground zero, I don support one being built anywhere because I’m not Muslim. In the same way, I don’t necessarily have to support people preaching Protestantism simply because it’s better Han nothing, I don’t support it because Protestantism is incorrect. I man maybe the loving God part is alright, but not much else. Why would I directly support any less than perfection?

 

[EzraJacob]

Well, I’m not Catholic. I am Protestant. Second, I’m not saying Catholics should leave the church and go to a Protestant church. What I am saying is that it is very rude and definitely not loving to be making fun of those that you call your “separated brothers and sisters.” I get so much mixed messages. One second I read about all this love towards Protestants and then the same people are making fun. I’m not saying do not disagree. By all means go ahead and state what you do not like. I have done the same, but there is a difference between stating what you do not like and just plain making fun.

Also, I’m not saying Catholics have been persuaded by a Protestant church and thus should join one. What I am saying is someone on here said that it is a waste of time and no on should say that when someone is preaching God’s word. Hearing the word of God is never a waste of time because it can bring a person closer to God. At one point my Catholic sister was iffy when it came to her faith and she came with me to one of my church services, and it actually helped her renew her faith in Christ. I’m not saying that she should start going to my church every weekend, but it did help her so it was not a waste of time just because it was a Protestant church.

All I am saying, is that to say it is okay for a Catholic brother or sister to go to a protestant church is wrong. It can lead to grave sin, so why get your hands dirty? I rather stay clean and advise them not to. What they decide to then is up to them. I would at least know that I did not contribute and helped lead them away from the Church.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my separated brothers and sisters. We are still brothers and sisters in Christ. But that means I will pray for you to come to the catholic church. I mean I will pray more then for that. Such as the Copts in Egypt and all of the Christians who are being persecuted. I support them spiritually and pray for them, regardless of denomination…I just can not advise another catholic to go to a non-catholic church. Especially if its protestant. Sorry, I do not mean to offend you.

 

[KathleenGee]

I do share the same sentiments when I think what it would be like if we had the same laxity in our church before the Blessed Sacrament. My youngest is going through a stage of Nihilism after 12 years in Catholic schools. My daughter invited us to see this mega church…not big like others mentioned here…we saw the band, the baptismal jacuzzi tub where their former Christian baptisms are washed off and they are now re-baptized, the Starbucks, and then the communion bread thrown out. It is understandable.

But I think it also shows how alienated young people are in today’s culture, how they themselves have lost something of their own humanity to experience Christ to the full, to experience life to its fullest as Christ promised.

My daughter was drawn to the preaching and how these young ministers would hit on kids disobeying their parents, taking alcohol and drugs, getting into sex, wasting their lives…they spoke in a way that could reach them, and restore them to their selves.

The more people are operating in their true self, I don’t mean in a negative way…but in a wholesome and good and humane way…the more they can recognize Christ at work in their own lives.

What I don’t like about these mega churches…their great drawback is against the Catholic Church and labelling it a man made religion.

So we need to make connections with their ministers and share our faith with them…and learn from them…they also pray deliverance over those in bondage by vices, and help kids turn their lives around.

 

[wondrousgnat]

When I moved three years ago I joined my current parish. In that time I have never been involved in anything. (I was active in previous parish.) Nothing is ever listed in the parish bulletin and nothing appears in our diocesan paper. I joined the KofC two years ago and have heard nothing since. I was involved with pro-life in my previous parish but know of no pro-life group in my entire diocese. I still go back to my previous diocese.

My wife’s Lutheran church has bible studies, Habitat for Humanity etc. My step son’s membership in Willowcreek had many things going on to get involved in. His new Baptist church has a lot.

Frankly I would leave the Catholic church in a second. But then there is the Eucharist which it too important to give up. Many Catholics do not feel they belong and they want something to fit in with and for their children. Thanks to poor catechisis and declining sense of the sacred I can understand why some look elsewhere.

I recall Ralph Martin saying something like he would never advise anyone to leave the church but he acknowledged that some would have never achieved salvation if they remained Catholic.

 

[Kristin234]

All I am saying, is that to say it is okay for a Catholic brother or sister to go to a protestant church is wrong. It can lead to grave sin, so why get your hands dirty? I rather stay clean and advise them not to. What they decide to then is up to them. I would at least know that I did not contribute and helped lead them away from the Church.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my separated brothers and sisters. We are still brothers and sisters in Christ. But that means I will pray for you to come to the catholic church. I mean I will pray more then for that. Such as the Copts in Egypt and all of the Christians who are being persecuted. I support them spiritually and pray for them, regardless of denomination…I just can not advise another catholic to go to a non-catholic church. Especially if its protestant. Sorry, I do not mean to offend you.

That is perfectly fine and I am not disagreeing with you. I am not offended by you saying you do not advise others to go to a Protestant church. I completely understand why you would do that and I have nothing against it. My only problem was with those who were actually making fun of these Protestant churches. I find nothing wrong with advising Catholics not to go to Protestant churches. Just like how I don’t find anything wrong when my Orthodox family members advise other Orthodox members not to go to a Catholic church or Protestant church.

 

[ChrisB103]

That is perfectly fine and I am not disagreeing with you. I am not offended by you saying you do not advise others to go to a Protestant church. I completely understand why you would do that and I have nothing against it. My only problem was with those who were actually making fun of these Protestant churches. I find nothing wrong with advising Catholics not to go to Protestant churches. Just like how I don’t find anything wrong when my Orthodox family members advise other Orthodox members not to go to a Catholic church or Protestant church.

Thank you for being patient and understanding, Kristin. We are always called to act in charity, and I’m sorry you haven’t been shown due charity in this thread. I thank God for any truth in any church, in hopes that a taste of the truth will bring them closer to Him each day.