I once attended 2 churches for a couple of years. One was Catholic and one was non-denominational. I felt little conflict since the non-denominational church had no sacraments and was essentially a bible study and prayer service. Over the year, I have often attended prayer service where folks were from more than one denomination. The pastor knew that I was Catholic. However, I was a member of that community. I recall him asking once whether I really believed that Jesus was really present in the Eucharist. I said “yes” and explained that, even ignoring Scripture and Tradition, why would I believe that Jesus would refuse the prayers of billions and billions over the centuries who expected Him to come to His feast at the Lord’s Table. I stopped when I “discovered” the charismatic renewal and joined a charismatic prayer community, where I was on the pastoral team for several years.
Also, I was once lived in a community where it was common for folks to go to more than one church, since there so many children of separated parents, where one parent went to one church and the other to another. These children were sometimes confirmed in more than on church (Catholic, Methodist and/or Episcopalian).
In neither of these situations were there major fights and animosity between churches. As Bishop Sheen used to say, we felt comfortable meeting God together on our knees. Folks in all these churches respected the spiritual walk of its members and those of other churches.
So, no I do not fight it terrible to attend more than one church.
That being said, there some relevant issues in this case.
First, one cannot be an elder of one church and be a member of another. This just doesn’t work. This is especially true when we are discussing the Church of Scotland whose confession, I believe, still consider the Holy Father the anti-Christ (or that the anti-Christ will be a pope.
I am also concerned that in such a close knit leadership group, you cannot discuss these issues openly with your leadership team. I understand that you might want to wait until you have made a decision. In a more perfect world, you would be sharing your spiritual journey with others, no matter what you (or others) finally discerned to do. Over the centuries, many, many small churches have moved in their entirety when this type of discussion happened and the leader decided to move to another church.
You have mentioned that others might feel hurt. I think that this is more likely to be the case if your leaving is without warning. My gut feeling is that some in your community are anti-Catholic; perhaps I am wrong.
In any case, obviously the bottom line is to ask for help in your discernment each day in prayer. As others have said, there is generally no issue with attending both churches while you are discerning. Perhaps a first set will be to step down as an elder.
I am an Elder in my very small church, and as we have no Minister, I am part of a small group who take it in turn to preach.
I have been very happy doing this for some time, however recently a new colleague started talking about her Catholic faith and I started asking question.She couldn’t answer all of them so introduced me to her priest. I have been talking to him for several weeks.He explains everything so well and I find myself being drawn ever closer to the Catholic church.
Here is my problem though, as I said it is a tiny church and I know if I leave it will leave many feeling hurt and betrayed,as an Elder who takes their role as spiritual leader seriously I am torn apart by the thought of causing hurt to anyone. Here is my question… would it be so wrong to attend mass yet still be part of my other church?
