Visited a Protestant church yesterday and it was awful

[punisherthunder]

I visited a Protestant church yesterday and it was awful. I was there because my wife’s grandmother was being honored as she is a Baptist and had been a member for 45 years, plus she turned 90 yesterday too. So part of the service was dedicated to her. Now…

It’s been a long, long, long time since I’ve been to a Protestant church for anything and I must confess that I truly felt like an outsider the entire time. For starters, the dress code was abysmal. People in jeans, girls in short shorts, men wearing ball caps. It ran the gamut, I’ll tell you.

What else shocked me was the COMPLETE absence of Jesus in regards to the decor of the church. I knew there wouldn’t be crucifixes or holy water founts, but no crosses? Not even one on top of the building? Of course, not a single picture of Christ anywhere. Later after the service, while walking around, I did discover a very crudely constructed cross that of all things had been covered up by the jumbo screen that was used to show movie clips to further emphasize an already poor message.

The message. I felt the young preacher was rambling on and trying to use too many real world situations to get his message across. Added, he also cried like a baby halfway through because according to him people dont’ know how to capitalize on grace that is everywhere.

Maybe I’m alone on this, I don’t know. But just nothing at all felt like a church. There was no humbleness, it was all show up, hear some really, really weak Protestant jokes, concentrate on a line or two of the reading, and then have people come down and testify.

I have this sort of guilt that I didn’t open my heart enough to it and maybe that’s why I felt rather numb. But so many people there were just procedural and hapless. It made me sad for both myself and them. The whole time the preacher is speaking, all I wanted do was go to Mass and feel the ritual, tradition, reverance, and about all innocent humility of being in Christ’s presence.

Anyone else ever felt this way about attending a Protestant service.?

 

[JustaServant]

I visited a Protestant church yesterday and it was awful. I was there because my wife’s grandmother was being honored as she is a Baptist and had been a member for 45 years, plus she turned 90 yesterday too. So part of the service was dedicated to her. Now…

It’s been a long, long, long time since I’ve been to a Protestant church for anything and I must confess that I truly felt like an outsider the entire time. For starters, the dress code was abysmal. People in jeans, girls in short shorts, men wearing ball caps. It ran the gamut, I’ll tell you.

What else shocked me was the COMPLETE absence of Jesus in regards to the decor of the church. I knew there wouldn’t be crucifixes or holy water founts, but no crosses? Not even one on top of the building? Of course, not a single picture of Christ anywhere. Later after the service, while walking around, I did discover a very crudely constructed cross that of all things had been covered up by the jumbo screen that was used to show movie clips to further emphasize an already poor message.

The message. I felt the young preacher was rambling on and trying to use too many real world situations to get his message across. Added, he also cried like a baby halfway through because according to him people dont’ know how to capitalize on grace that is everywhere.

Maybe I’m alone on this, I don’t know. But just nothing at all felt like a church. There was no humbleness, it was all show up, hear some really, really weak Protestant jokes, concentrate on a line or two of the reading, and then have people come down and testify.

I have this sort of guilt that I didn’t open my heart enough to it and maybe that’s why I felt rather numb. But so many people there were just procedural and hapless. It made me sad for both myself and them. The whole time the preacher is speaking, all I wanted do was go to Mass and feel the ritual, tradition, reverance, and about all innocent humility of being in Christ’s presence.

Anyone else ever felt this way about attending a Protestant service.?

Sounds like you went with a complete lack of respect looking for things to complain about.
Every complaint you made could be said of Catholic parishes as well.

 

[JustaServant]

For starters, the dress code was abysmal. People in jeans, girls in short shorts, men wearing ball caps. It ran the gamut, I’ll tell you.

Seen it in Catholic parishes.

What else shocked me was the COMPLETE absence of Jesus in regards to the decor of the church. I knew there wouldn’t be crucifixes or holy water founts, but no crosses? Not even one on top of the building? Of course, not a single picture of Christ anywhere.

Did you bother to ask if this was a temporary location. Baptist churches have plenty of crosses.

The message. I felt the *young preacher *was rambling on and trying to use too many real world situations to get his message across. Added, he also cried like a baby halfway through because according to him people dont’ know how to capitalize on grace that is everywhere.

"Young preacher" is the key word. Why don’t you tell us about your experience speaking before congregations.

…it was all show up, hear some really, really weak Protestant jokes, concentrate on a line or two of the reading, and then have people come down and testify.

What’s wrong with that?

Anyone else ever felt this way about attending a Protestant service.?

Not always. What sort of witness did you make while there?
What sort of witness do you suppose this thread is?

 

[wynd]

Sounds like you went with a complete lack of respect looking for things to complain about.
Every complaint you made could be said of Catholic parishes as well.

Yep, I’ve seen it all, minus the jumbo screen (thank God).

 

[JustaServant]

Yep, I’ve seen it all, minus the jumbo screen (thank God).

I’m not against closed-circuit TV for a large building for the elderly and people in the back rows in liturgical churches.
Protestant churches use them for similar reasons, or for the preacher if it helps his sermon.

 

[john_ennis]

Your instinct to recognize the value of Catholic tradition is good. I’d let that be my focus, and still try to appreciate the efforts of other faiths to know God, as imperfect as they are.

In some Catholic as well as Protestant churches, I’ve found it most distracting when they cater to the assumptions of the current culture (such as the value of searching for good feelings as an end unto itself). Surprise surprise: people are self-indulgent–and the more we rely on our own judgment, the further we miss the mark.

 

[john_ennis]

I’m not against closed-circuit TV for a large building for the elderly and people in the back rows in liturgical churches.
Protestant churches use them for similar reasons, or for the preacher if it helps his sermon.

The big screen and amps are also sometimes used to further the quest for emotions which I mentioned. Many of us have experienced it and been appalled for reasons we may not immediately be able to articulate. It’s about recognizing that feelings may well result from sincere worship, but to the extent that they are our goal, then our worship is self-centered.

 

[spedteacherita]

I visited a Protestant church yesterday and it was awful. I was there because my wife’s grandmother was being honored as she is a Baptist and had been a member for 45 years, plus she turned 90 yesterday too. So part of the service was dedicated to her. Now…

It’s been a long, long, long time since I’ve been to a Protestant church for anything and I must confess that I truly felt like an outsider the entire time. For starters, the dress code was abysmal. People in jeans, girls in short shorts, men wearing ball caps. It ran the gamut, I’ll tell you.

What else shocked me was the COMPLETE absence of Jesus in regards to the decor of the church. I knew there wouldn’t be crucifixes or holy water founts, but no crosses? Not even one on top of the building? Of course, not a single picture of Christ anywhere. Later after the service, while walking around, I did discover a very crudely constructed cross that of all things had been covered up by the jumbo screen that was used to show movie clips to further emphasize an already poor message.

The message. I felt the young preacher was rambling on and trying to use too many real world situations to get his message across. Added, he also cried like a baby halfway through because according to him people dont’ know how to capitalize on grace that is everywhere.

Maybe I’m alone on this, I don’t know. But just nothing at all felt like a church. There was no humbleness, it was all show up, hear some really, really weak Protestant jokes, concentrate on a line or two of the reading, and then have people come down and testify.

I have this sort of guilt that I didn’t open my heart enough to it and maybe that’s why I felt rather numb. But so many people there were just procedural and hapless. It made me sad for both myself and them. The whole time the preacher is speaking, all I wanted do was go to Mass and feel the ritual, tradition, reverance, and about all innocent humility of being in Christ’s presence.

Anyone else ever felt this way about attending a Protestant service.?

I’m Lutheran, as many of you know, and periodically I will visit my brother’s Free Methodist church as I did this past weekend because my sister was visiting from NC and my mom wanted to attend with her as well. My church celebrates communion every Sunday and, despite its contemporary songs, is very liturgical with the exception that the Pastor and communion assistants do not wear vestments.

The music at the Free Methodist church is very loud - and the Sunday we attended played songs that no one knew except the praise team up front. When I visit I tend to step out in the foyer to wait for the music to be done and the pastor to speak. I normally mention to my brother and SIL that the music is too loud for me and this last time I took the opportunity to speak with the pastor as well.

I was like you. It was different, the music too loud, non-liturgical and I missed communion - while the pastor spoke, tho, I took notes for my edification - I always try to carry one so that I can find something that God can speak to me about as I cling to His promise that where 2 or 3 are gathered He is in the midst of them.

My experience at my church this past weekend was so much sweeter for my missing it and attending another.

God bless!

Rita

 

[Bonnie]

Every complaint you made could be said of Catholic parishes as well.

Yep - including the jumbo screen!

 

[JonNC]

=punisherthunder;13120686]I visited a Protestant church yesterday and it was awful. I was there because my wife’s grandmother was being honored as she is a Baptist and had been a member for 45 years, plus she turned 90 yesterday too. So part of the service was dedicated to her. Now…

I appreciate the fact that you went.

It’s been a long, long, long time since I’ve been to a Protestant church for anything and I must confess that I truly felt like an outsider the entire time. For starters, the dress code was abysmal. People in jeans, girls in short shorts, men wearing ball caps. It ran the gamut, I’ll tell you.

I’d rather have a parish full of people in jeans, than half full is suits and dresses.

What else shocked me was the COMPLETE absence of Jesus in regards to the decor of the church. I knew there wouldn’t be crucifixes or holy water founts, but no crosses? Not even one on top of the building? Of course, not a single picture of Christ anywhere.

That’s unusual for a Baptist Church. They normally have crosses, though typically not crucifixes. Iconography is often not present in churches with Reformed roots.

Later after the service, while walking around, I did discover a very crudely constructed cross that of all things had been covered up by the jumbo screen that was used to show movie clips to further emphasize an already poor message.

I suspect Christ’s cross was rather crude.
Regarding a poor message, a Lutheran pastor well known to me used to relate that is was often the sermon he felt he poorly prepared for, or poorly presented, that would result in someone shaking his hand in tears about the wonderful message.

The message. I felt the young preacher was rambling on and trying to use too many real world situations to get his message across. Added, he also cried like a baby halfway through because according to him people dont’ know how to capitalize on grace that is everywhere.

Yes, well, a style of homiletics that you and I would not be used to. The members there would probably be bored stiff by a Catholic or Lutheran homily.

Maybe I’m alone on this, I don’t know. But just nothing at all felt like a church. There was no humbleness, it was all show up, hear some really, really weak Protestant jokes, concentrate on a line or two of the reading, and then have people come down and testify.

I have this sort of guilt that I didn’t open my heart enough to it and maybe that’s why I felt rather numb. But so many people there were just procedural and hapless. It made me sad for both myself and them. The whole time the preacher is speaking, all I wanted do was go to Mass and feel the ritual, tradition, reverance, and about all innocent humility of being in Christ’s presence.

Can you imagine what they would say about a Catholic mass, a Catholic nave, altar, etc.?

Anyone else ever felt this way about attending a Protestant service.?

Lousy title, my friend. You did not visit a protestant service. There is no such thing. You attended a Baptist service. If you went to a Lutheran service, you would probably feel a familiarity with the worship, probably more than those Baptists would.

Jon

 

[DebChris]

First, he is a young preacher. Please be patient in giving him time to develop his ministry.
Also don’t be so concerned about dress code. That too is an external and a reflection of the community as much as anything else.
That being said there is much difference between non-Catholic services and Catholic Mass. There was a time when I frequented non-Catholic services on a regular basis after Mass. Regardless of how faith filled the people, there is something to be said about adoration before the crucifix. It is simply not the same when the cross is bare. Yes, I do understand how the decor of a beautifully decorated Catholic Church enhances our worship.
My son-in-law gives brilliant sermons as a Presbyterian minister. Even so I find Presbyterian services boring after the richness of a Sunday Mass. I do understand how you feel.
It’s not a matter of looking for the music, or anything else “to fill my spirit,” a euphemism by church seekers. It is that within the Catholic Church I am best able to worship God.

 

[AKDee]

I would suggest you had a bad experience at a single protestant church. Your post sounds like you’re lumping all of them in together. And while I do believe the Catholic Church is THE Church that our Lord founded and that Christ is truly present among us, I believe other churches can be full of the Spirit. You just didn’t find one, or perhaps weren’t open to it.

And as to dress code, I am routinely surprised at how some people dress at my Parish. Lots of casual clothing. I don’t think I’ve seen baseball hats, but shorts and tank tops, very short skirts, and other very casual or immodest clothing is very common. I’m a naturally judgmental person so what I try to tell myself is that our Lord is glad that they came to Church, and not to judge what they wear.

 

[punisherthunder]

Sounds like you went with a complete lack of respect looking for things to complain about.
Every complaint you made could be said of Catholic parishes as well.

Naturally you are wrong.

I went with a full respect. I was open and cordial to everyone. I didn’t look for things to complain about, I just found a lot of shallowness. To address other comments:

• The preacher cried like a baby on his knees, I’ve never seen a priest do that, ever. Was the guy young? He was nearer to 40 I’d guess. And there were lots of bad Protestant jokes throughout his message.
  Q: What do John the Baptist and Winnie the Pooh have in common?

A: Their middle names.

If that’s funny in any way…ugh

• The cross I found that was hidden was for the lack of better imagery a giant “T” shape. It had pointed end and was badly colored black and grey. But again, finding it beneath the movie screen where I was shown clips for Star Wars on a Sunday morning is tacky.
• On dress code, I’m not sure what some parishes are like, but in mine you don’t see such a thing. Grown men shouldn’t wear ballcaps into a church. Sorry if that offends some, but you just shouldn’t do it.

It just felt like I was at some really really amateur church hour. It didn’t have that “home” feel like a Catholic church.

 

[Nozzer]

I visited a Protestant church yesterday and it was awful. I was there because my wife’s grandmother was being honored as she is a Baptist and had been a member for 45 years, plus she turned 90 yesterday too. So part of the service was dedicated to her. Now…

It’s been a long, long, long time since I’ve been to a Protestant church for anything and I must confess that I truly felt like an outsider the entire time. For starters, the dress code was abysmal. People in jeans, girls in short shorts, men wearing ball caps. It ran the gamut, I’ll tell you.

What else shocked me was the COMPLETE absence of Jesus in regards to the decor of the church. I knew there wouldn’t be crucifixes or holy water founts, but no crosses? Not even one on top of the building? Of course, not a single picture of Christ anywhere. Later after the service, while walking around, I did discover a very crudely constructed cross that of all things had been covered up by the jumbo screen that was used to show movie clips to further emphasize an already poor message.

The message. I felt the young preacher was rambling on and trying to use too many real world situations to get his message across. Added, he also cried like a baby halfway through because according to him people dont’ know how to capitalize on grace that is everywhere.

Maybe I’m alone on this, I don’t know. But just nothing at all felt like a church. There was no humbleness, it was all show up, hear some really, really weak Protestant jokes, concentrate on a line or two of the reading, and then have people come down and testify.

I have this sort of guilt that I didn’t open my heart enough to it and maybe that’s why I felt rather numb. But so many people there were just procedural and hapless. It made me sad for both myself and them. The whole time the preacher is speaking, all I wanted do was go to Mass and feel the ritual, tradition, reverance, and about all innocent humility of being in Christ’s presence.

Anyone else ever felt this way about attending a Protestant service.?

I must say, I think that it is probably just the individual faults of the church. However, I do sympathise, as I sometimes feel this way about Christian worship too, though not just Protestant!

God bless,

Nozzer

 

[Jeanne_S]

I visited a Protestant church yesterday and it was awful. I was there because my wife’s grandmother was being honored as she is a Baptist and had been a member for 45 years, plus she turned 90 yesterday too. So part of the service was dedicated to her. Now…

It’s been a long, long, long time since I’ve been to a Protestant church for anything and I must confess that I truly felt like an outsider the entire time. For starters, the dress code was abysmal. People in jeans, girls in short shorts, men wearing ball caps. It ran the gamut, I’ll tell you.

What else shocked me was the COMPLETE absence of Jesus in regards to the decor of the church. I knew there wouldn’t be crucifixes or holy water founts, but no crosses? Not even one on top of the building? Of course, not a single picture of Christ anywhere. Later after the service, while walking around, I did discover a very crudely constructed cross that of all things had been covered up by the jumbo screen that was used to show movie clips to further emphasize an already poor message.

The message. I felt the young preacher was rambling on and trying to use too many real world situations to get his message across. Added, he also cried like a baby halfway through because according to him people dont’ know how to capitalize on grace that is everywhere.

Maybe I’m alone on this, I don’t know. But just nothing at all felt like a church. There was no humbleness, it was all show up, hear some really, really weak Protestant jokes, concentrate on a line or two of the reading, and then have people come down and testify.

I have this sort of guilt that I didn’t open my heart enough to it and maybe that’s why I felt rather numb. But so many people there were just procedural and hapless. It made me sad for both myself and them. The whole time the preacher is speaking, all I wanted do was go to Mass and feel the ritual, tradition, reverance, and about all innocent humility of being in Christ’s presence.

Anyone else ever felt this way about attending a Protestant service.?

Years ago,when I was a lapsed Catholic,I attended an Easter service with my then college age daughters.It was nondenominational,one that would be labeled a feel good church.The service lasted for over an hour,a lot of preaching and singing.I found myself waiting for more.
I went away from that feeling very empty.
Before returning to my Catholic faith ten years ago,my husband and I attended a Lutheran Church,as he was at that time a Lutheran.I actually enjoyed the several years we were members there.The service was very much like what I was accustomed to,outside of the Eucharist.Which eventually,is what I realized I was missing,thus my husband’s conversion and my reversion to Catholicism.

 

[JustaServant]

I went with a full respect. I was open and cordial to everyone. I didn’t look for things to complain about, I just found a lot of shallowness. To address other comments:

Do you realize you just contradicted yourself?

In any event, I’m not defending Baptist showmanship, but I’ve seen things that make this look like a High Latin Mass.
As for the joke, one priest we had told a joke at the end of each morning Mass. I personally didn’t like it, but wasn’t the end of the world.

 

[JustaServant]

I’m not trying to be an idiot. I understand where you are coming from, I just think you worded it all wrong.
Interesting topic for a new thread.

 

[mexolic]

The whole time the preacher is speaking, all I wanted do was go to Mass and feel the ritual, tradition, reverance, and about all innocent humility of being in Christ’s presence.

Anyone else ever felt this way about attending a Protestant service.?

I see the reason you stated for attending the Protestant service instead of the Sunday Mass. But perhaps it’s better to explain to others in the future why you can’t attend a Protestant service instead of the Sunday Mass. I was invited to a Protestant Sunday Easter service once(I was at the Vigil Mass the night before). It was nice, but the Mass is what truly matters.

 

[Bonnie]

I want to visit the OP’s parish. I’ve never been to a Mass where the priest was perfect and the people were perfect.

I’ve been to more than a few Catholic masses that were awful - bad jokes, boring homily, horrible music, disrespect, etc. I would hate to have people judge the entire Catholic Church by those examples.

 

[Neofight]

I visited a Protestant church yesterday and it was awful. I was there because my wife’s grandmother was being honored as she is a Baptist and had been a member for 45 years, plus she turned 90 yesterday too. So part of the service was dedicated to her. Now…

It’s been a long, long, long time since I’ve been to a Protestant church for anything and I must confess that I truly felt like an outsider the entire time. For starters, the dress code was abysmal. People in jeans, girls in short shorts, men wearing ball caps. It ran the gamut, I’ll tell you.

What else shocked me was the COMPLETE absence of Jesus in regards to the decor of the church. I knew there wouldn’t be crucifixes or holy water founts, but no crosses? Not even one on top of the building? Of course, not a single picture of Christ anywhere. Later after the service, while walking around, I did discover a very crudely constructed cross that of all things had been covered up by the jumbo screen that was used to show movie clips to further emphasize an already poor message.

The message. I felt the young preacher was rambling on and trying to use too many real world situations to get his message across. Added, he also cried like a baby halfway through because according to him people dont’ know how to capitalize on grace that is everywhere.

Maybe I’m alone on this, I don’t know. But just nothing at all felt like a church. There was no humbleness, it was all show up, hear some really, really weak Protestant jokes, concentrate on a line or two of the reading, and then have people come down and testify.

I have this sort of guilt that I didn’t open my heart enough to it and maybe that’s why I felt rather numb. But so many people there were just procedural and hapless. It made me sad for both myself and them. The whole time the preacher is speaking, all I wanted do was go to Mass and feel the ritual, tradition, reverance, and about all innocent humility of being in Christ’s presence.

Anyone else ever felt this way about attending a Protestant service.?

Read Luke 9:49-50 and see if you indignation fades.