Visited a Protestant church yesterday and it was awful

[dronald]

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.

My aunt was raised Anglican, and this is one thing she loves about the Church that I attend. No one is judged for what they wear. You have no idea what the struggles of a teenager in jeans, a man in a suit, or a homeless man off the street have in their lives. They showed up for God and for that you should be thankful. Ask yourself what Jesus used to ask, “What did you come out to see?”

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.

I bet you would hate the underground Church’s in China and Saudi Arabia? People worship differently in different places depending on culture. Pictures of Jesus were not there maybe, but was Jesus there? If He was then shouldn’t you be thankful that Christ is with those people in their hearts?

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.

Jesus basically only used real world situations to get His message across. Every parable was said in a way that people of the time would understand well. You’re grasping straws here.

And you’ve never been so in awe of God that you’ve cried?

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.

A pastor willing to cry infront of the congregation because of his love of God sounds humble to me.

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.

Well you’re Catholic, and in the Catholic Church is where you love to be; there’s nothing wrong with that.

 

[JustaServant]

My aunt was raised Anglican, and this is one thing she loves about the Church that I attend. No one is judged for what they wear. You have no idea what the struggles of a teenager in jeans, a man in a suit, or a homeless man off the street have in their lives. They showed up for God and for that you should be thankful. Ask yourself what Jesus used to ask, “What did you come out to see?”

I bet you would hate the underground Church’s in China and Saudi Arabia? People worship differently in different places depending on culture. Pictures of Jesus were not there maybe, but was Jesus there? If He was then shouldn’t you be thankful that Christ is with those people in their hearts?

Jesus basically only used real world situations to get His message across. Every parable was said in a way that people of the time would understand well. You’re grasping straws here.

And you’ve never been so in awe of God that you’ve cried?

A pastor willing to cry infront of the congregation because of his love of God sounds humble to me.

Well you’re Catholic, and in the Catholic Church is where you love to be; there’s nothing wrong with that.

:clapping::clapping::clapping:

 

[LiamNL]

JustaServant, while you wish that punisherthunder would have been more patient and understanding with the Protestant church that he went to… you sure seem to present your position in a tone that both lacks patience and understanding towards punisherthunder.

You say that he contradicted himself… don’t you think that your tone to him is somewhat contradictory? Considering what you’re attempting to correct him on?

 

[LiamNL]

Was my comment deleted??

Here it is again:

JustaServant, while you wish that punisherthunder would have been more patient and understanding with the Protestant church that he went to… you sure seem to present your position in a tone that both lacks patience and understanding towards punisherthunder.

You say that he contradicted himself… don’t you think that your tone to him is somewhat contradictory? Considering what you’re attempting to correct him on?

 

[DebChris]

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

Somehow I don’t think this was what the OP was trying to say. She make a statement about feeling guilty and perhaps, “I didn’t open my heart” to the presence of Christ. It’s not that God was not present during the worship service, simply that the OP didn’t feel His presence and had difficulty with many aspects of the service.
I have heard this complaint many times from non-denominational Christians as they church hop trying to find the church that fills their spiritual needs. They are looking for the church with the great music or the great preaching. The difference is that they make no mention of their own heart, and being open to what God might have to say to them.
She wasn’t used to a preacher who could be so moved by God’s message that he could actually “cry” while delivering it. Again I don’t think that the verse really applies since the OP does not deny God being at work. The difference is a matter of comfort.
I know that when I go to a non-Catholic service that God is there. Still it is not the same as when I go to Mass at a Catholic church. Kneeling before an empty cross is not the same as kneeling before a crucifix.

 

[JustaServant]

Somehow I don’t think this was what the OP was trying to say. She make a statement about feeling guilty and perhaps, “I didn’t open my heart” to the presence of Christ. It’s not that God was not present during the worship service, simply that the OP didn’t feel His presence and had difficulty with many aspects of the service.
I have heard this complaint many times from non-denominational Christians as they church hop trying to find the church that fills their spiritual needs. They are looking for the church with the great music or the great preaching. The difference is that they make no mention of their own heart, and being open to what God might have to say to them.
She wasn’t used to a preacher who could be so moved by God’s message that he could actually “cry” while delivering it. Again I don’t think that the verse really applies since the OP does not deny God being at work. The difference is a matter of comfort.
I know that when I go to a non-Catholic service that God is there. Still it is not the same as when I go to Mass at a Catholic church. Kneeling before an empty cross is not the same as kneeling before a crucifix.

I guess it has to do with respect.
If a Protestant started a thread entitled:
“Visited a Catholic church yesterday and it was awful”, we Catholics would be horrified.

 

[LiamNL]

Would a moderator be able to tell me why my post keeps getting deleted?
Is it simply because I am suggesting someone considering the tone of their post when they question the tone of the OPs attitude?

Here it is again:
JustaServant, while you wish that punisherthunder would have been more patient and understanding with the Protestant church that he went to… you sure seem to present your position in a tone that both lacks patience and understanding towards punisherthunder.

You say that he contradicted himself… don’t you think that your tone to him is somewhat contradictory? Considering what you’re attempting to correct him on?

 

[808Catholic]

My one suggestion for visiting ANY religious service: listen for Christ. He is there in everything we do. We just need to tune in to listen for Him. If there are “distractions”, that’s part of what we deal with in this world. There will ALWAYS be things we don’t like including the message of God. I would suggest we all just focus on God and let the other stuff roll off our backs. God Bless you.

 

[Indigo_Cardinal]

And this little pagan here could tell the OP about the time I went to a baptism for a friend’s baby at a Catholic church, and took the time to dress nicely (dress, dress shoes), and saw people in jeans and t-shirts and all manner of things. Would the OP like for me to presume all Catholics are that disrespectful/sloppy/lazy that they would do this?

I’m reminded of a time, years ago, when a woman at my mom’s (Protestant) church dressed in a manner more befitting Dolly Parton at one of her concerts, and several not-so-nice ladies were blantantly gossipping. The minister read 'em the riot act, and told 'em that she was at church first thing every morning, rain or shine. She volunteered. She donated. She worked her butt off to help others. So before anybody passes judgment on the exterior, maybe take a good look at the person inside instead.

So the preacher told a lame joke that small kids will probably repeat to their parents and drive 'em nuts. Big deal. Would you prefer he’d’ve told the one about the two priests, the housekeeper, and the gravy ladle? I’m betting not.

I’m not big on crying preachers, but I don’t have to go there every week. Neither does the OP. I could tolerate it for one simple hour (or whatever.)

Personally, I’m with those who think the OP went looking for something to complain about. The whole posts reeks of ‘better than thou’. It really comes across that the OP was resentful about having to go to a Proestant service to make another family member’s special occasion. What a joy the OP must’ve been to have around, silently passing judgment on the entire thing instead of being happy for the grandmother.

 

[JonNC]

The OP says it was awful. One wonders if he shared that opinion with his wife’s grandmother. I suspect she thought it was wonderful.
I get where the OP is coming from; we members of liturgical churches are perplexed by non-liturgical services, but that doesn’t mean it was “awful”.

Jon

 

[LiamNL]

Actually, I don’t agree with you regarding JustaServant’s tone. He explains it well when he said,
"I guess it has to do with respect.
If a Protestant started a thread entitled:
“Visited a Catholic church yesterday and it was awful”, we Catholics would be horrified."

The OP says it was awful. One wonders if he shared that opinion with his wife’s grandmother. I suspect she thought it was wonderful.
I get where the OP is coming from; we members of liturgical churches are perplexed by non-liturgical services, but that doesn’t mean it was “awful”.

Jon

JustaServant was expecting OP to be patient and understanding with the differences between a Catholic and Protestant church… but nothing in his response to OP was either patient or understanding.

He’s holding OP to a standard with respects to churches that he doesn’t himself hold to the OP.

 

[JonNC]

My one suggestion for visiting ANY religious service: listen for Christ. He is there in everything we do. We just need to tune in to listen for Him. If there are “distractions”, that’s part of what we deal with in this world. There will ALWAYS be things we don’t like including the message of God. I would suggest we all just focus on God and let the other stuff roll off our backs. God Bless you.

Well said.

CCC 819
819 "Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth"273 are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: "the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements."274 Christ’s Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him,275 and are in themselves calls to "Catholic unity."276

Jon

 

[JonNC]

JustaServant was expecting OP to be patient and understanding with the differences between a Catholic and Protestant church… but nothing in his response to OP was either patient or understanding.

He’s holding OP to a standard with respects to churches that he doesn’t himself hold to the OP.

I don’t get that from his comments at all, but I will say that, as a Lutheran, I tend to expect I higher level of respect from my fellow Lutherans than others. One thing that used to happen here at CAF that seems to happen less and less is people policing and admonishing their own members. I think that’s a good thing.

Jon

 

[Eric_Hilbert]

I realize this thread will have short life span.
So until then, let’s stick with the topic and not each other.
Thanks.

 

[ltwin]

• 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.

Baptists don’t use a lectionary. So, the Scripture and topic he preached on was one that he had probably prayed over and studied all week long. He was coming to this believing that what he said was a timely word for the church, and the he is passing on to the rest of the congregation what the Lord had put on his heart to speak to the people. In this sense, the preacher takes on a sort of prophetic ministry, and he feels sincerely that there are people who (maybe) their eternal destinies hinge on hearing that message. So, he feels strongly about it-enough to weep.

 

[Vanny]

I agree with you on the dress code although I believe in letting all who want to worship come so I don’t think dress should keep one out of the church doors.
I come from a time when we dressed respectably to go to church.
I’m a liturgical(Lutheran) Christian so I prefer liturgical worship over non-liturgical.
I love the Catholic Mass, as well.
However I have gotten a lot out of the non-denominational services I’ve attended as well especially if the pastor has a good Christ centered sermon

 

[JonNC]

And you’ve never been so in awe of God that you’ve cried?

Hymn verses that for me are almost impossible to sing without choking up:
How Great Thou Art
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Refrain

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!

What Child Is This
Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and *** are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The babe, the son of Mary.

All of For All Thy Saints and Ah, Holy Jesus

Jon

 

[Lion_IRC]

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

Whoever Is Not against You Is for You
"John spoke up, “Master, we saw a man driving out demons in your name, and we told him to stop, because he doesn’t belong to our group.”
“Do not try to stop him,” Jesus said to him and to the other disciples, “because whoever is not against you is for you.” (GNT)



I sometimes (happily) visit other denomination churches.

And for reasons of convenience or necessity I regularly attend Mass at different parishes where I see vast differences in the style/absence of music, the personality/ethnicity of the priest, the age demographic of the parishioners, the decor, the age of the building, etc.

I think if you look for it, it’s easy to see the sort of out-of-my-comfort-zone ‘variety’ suggested by the Op in any given church where you are the visitor.

 

[punisherthunder]

To answer further questions:

• I did tell me wife that it didn’t feel like a Church and she agreed. I did not tell her grandmother. The woman is 90, has a host of medical problems and it meant a lot for to be recognized by her church.
• As for the guy crying. This was no humble cry. This was blubbering. Again, I’ve never seen a priest do that before in a Catholic Church.
• Please stop with the personal attacks. I’m not someone who is wanting to stir up trouble. I’m simply reporting on what I saw and how I felt about things yesterday. If what I wrote is too much for you to handle, then it may be best to disassociate yourself from this thread. I didn’t start it to create ill will of any kind, I started it because I was “shocked” at the behaviour and what all I saw. A grown man wearing a ball cap (New York Yankees) while helping up at the altar dispensing Concord grape juice in tiny paper cups to serve as the blood of Christ…if you feel comfortable with that then I don’t know what to tell you.

 

[Indyann]

OP, what you are missing is the Eucharist, of course. Once you know that you are receiving the Body, Blood,Soul and Divinity of Christ, any other service would pale in comparison.

The way people dress, the music they play, etc. are all externals. They mean nothing in the big picture. If you go to a non-Catholic service, you know you are not going to find the Eucharist, so just accept people where they are at and don’t complain.

“Our hearts are restless, until they rest in God”… St. Augustine