On doctrine that doesn’t change, and on practices that are relevant. I don’t see how you can toss making disciples into the antiquated pile, or classify making disciples as being some other level of importance than a primary function of the church and one that must not ever be neglected. Obvious by your post you think discipleship can be relegated to the back burner. But how do you justify that point?
On this I will say no and yes.
I shouldv’e been more clear when I referred to how Jesus made disciples. I wasn’t meaning the idea of one guy leading a group around and is devoted to training them. And yes you are right, not everyone can or is called to do that. What I am focusing on is the family and relational aspect of how Jesus made disciples. I am saying that if the correct enviornment is setup then it will allow for the discipleship to take place naturally and automatic. And I believe that everyone is called to help make disciples in that way. hence all the teaching on how each member of the body has a part. In otherwords believers should get together in a more intimate setting where they can get to know one another and learn to minister to one another on a consistent basis. I believe that is the most effective enviornment that will help get others involved and disciples them. Now I can be wrong, maybe you folks do that. But my experience with various churches, is that that kind of thing just doesn’t happen. Most people just sit in the pews as passive spectators while their clergy does all the ministry. However doesn’t the scripture say that all believers are called to function? How do you see that happening in your church?
Obviously you don’t know what I am thinking.
I am not out to drag the catholic church through the mud. I have two purposes here.
This is something that has to permeate each believer’s life, not something done once a week. The purpose of the Mass is to worship and glorigy God, and to receive the necessary graces for salvation. Extraliturgical activitires, like the ones you describe, take place outside of Mass, at various functions, or simply in our daily exchanges and interactions with believers.
Actually, yes God did. Read on some more of the OT. God INSTRUCTED, for example, the Israelties to view a particular image in order to be healed. God instruced IMAGES to be made of cherubim. What God forbade regarding images was for them to be made in such a way as to be idols taking the place he rightfully holds. There’s a big difference.
YOU, beloved of God, have hit the nail on the head!
It seems you correctly understand the Catholic position on discipleship. Your model imitates every religious order and lay movement within the Holy Catholic Church that I know of, and the Holy Catholic Church has been using this model since Our Lord called the Twelve Apostles. I left protestantism precisely because they lacked this model!
Fiat,
So was the early Apostolic Church. See the first few chapters of Acts.
So was the early Apostolic Church. See the first few chapters of Acts.
Are you saying that not all believers are called to be disciples?
Fiat,
For the record monestarys are much different than what I am meaning. For one they are a specialized group into communal living. I think that all christians are called to be disciples as well as be part of making disciples.
So what is the catholic position on that? And what is “a lay movement”? Does that mean getting up and walking around
Jeff
It looks like the RC is already doing something to implement what I am talking about. I am not real clear on how they do it except for mercygates postings. I would say that if it is already being done, then trying to encourage folks to participate would be a good way to get all believers involved. But there is only so much you can do.
You may wish to check out www.opusdei.org. Also, every religious order within the Catholic Church that I know of has some sort of oblature program.
Actually, some of these organizations of laymen have been functioning for over 700 years! The Rule of life of the Confraternity of Penitents was written by Cardinal Hugolino dei Conti dei Segni in 1221 A.D., at the request of St. Francis of Assisi himself. The lay rule was gradually mitigated by the Franciscan Order over the centuries. In the late 1990s, Secular Franciscans wished to recover the fullness of this rule and revived it. Unfortunately, the Franciscan Order did not grant permission for their members to pledge in the Confraternity of Penitents while remaining Secular Franciscans. However, the Confraternity is attracting members independently of the Franciscan structure.
Thanks Mercy. Francis of Assissi, believe it or not, tends to be an inspiriation among believers who meet in homes (autonomosly) because of his desire for relational and simplicty .
