Why are so many Catholics attending non-denominational services?

[Mark121359]

They don’t think they need to be in front of the Sacrament to spend time with Jesus and pour their hearts out to Him. They can do that anywhere. Ask one of them about their conversion experience and you’ll hear about falling on the floor weeping over the sin in their lives and committment to be worthy of Christ’s sacrifice. Then, they’ll tell you how their lives have changed in response to His love and how they live now to serve Him and Him alone.

I respect these people, because I’ve seen them in action. I’ve seen people go from foul mouthed, hard drinking gamblers to people who would never take the name of The Lord in vain, and spend seven days a week thinking of ways they can give more, serve more and show more of God’s love to others. They’ve been changed and they want to bring that to others.

It might not be our faith, and we might not agree with their theology-but where do we get off even hinting that they aren’t experiencing transformative faith experiences?

I hear you. But this is how I see it. If you have the full truth that can only be found in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, I’m sorry but I’ll never, ever be able to understand that logic…ever! There is just no way on this earth I could ever leave her. Add to that, I’d miss my Mama Mary way toooooo much!

 

[concerneddad]

They don’t think they need to be in front of the Sacrament to spend time with Jesus and pour their hearts out to Him. They can do that anywhere. Ask one of them about their conversion experience and you’ll hear about falling on the floor weeping over the sin in their lives and committment to be worthy of Christ’s sacrifice. Then, they’ll tell you how their lives have changed in response to His love and how they live now to serve Him and Him alone.

I respect these people, because I’ve seen them in action. I’ve seen people go from foul mouthed, hard drinking gamblers to people who would never take the name of The Lord in vain, and spend seven days a week thinking of ways they can give more, serve more and show more of God’s love to others. They’ve been changed and they want to bring that to others.

It might not be our faith, and we might not agree with their theology-but where do we get off even hinting that they aren’t experiencing transformative faith experiences?

Because it’s not right. The Catholic church has been and always will be the only true church. Non-denominational pastors are usually former Catholics who want to rebel and they take what they have learned(ir. mass is boring) and they flip it around, make it “fun and entertaining” and have a cool rock band and steal a lot of our younger members.

 

[Seeker1961]

Christ is not *physically *everywhere.

He does go spiritually to anyone who calls on Him, but ultimately the work of “non-denominational” communities is a work of scattering. Christ not only wishes to heal, He wishes to unite into one visible Church. The spontaneous birth of many Christian communities is an extraordinary sing of His uncontainable grace, and He definitely changes lives, but all his followers are called to be joined into one Church. Left to themselves, how will they resist the attacks of the united principalities and powers of the world of darkness? A house divided cannot stand

The issue is that too many communities don’t just seek Christ, but they also actively speak against the Catholic Church, sometimes in good faith, sometimes out of sheer ignorance. How, then, can they truly see the light? Even the early Church was spoken against and we find trace of separated communities since the year 90 AD, only a few decades after Pentecost. It’s a very sad situation.

that’s what WE believe. Other Christians believe differently and when we insult them, and diminish them, why oh why would they ever consider coming near us? And if we’re insulting them for what they lack, why would we be surprised they follow our example and insult us? Although, with all those Catholics in the seats, I’m guessing they don’t do that much insulting. You don’t want to be doing that when half your congregation still have friends and family that are Catholic.

Like I said, the ND in my area is growing like a weed, and I know a few people at work and in my neighborhood whose lives have been changed completely by their involvement. I can argue with their theology, but I can’t argue with the passion they inspire. We should be so lucky to be inspiring people to go all out for Christ the way these folks are.

Sorry, but we come off like snobs sometimes, and I’m not surprised that people get turned off by it.

 

[Seeker1961]

Because it’s not right. The Catholic church has been and always will be the only true church. Non-denominational pastors are usually former Catholics who want to rebel and they take what they have learned(ir. mass is boring) and they flip it around, make it “fun and entertaining” and have a cool rock band and steal a lot of our younger members.

You’re not reading what we’re saying here. These folks aren’t LESS committed to Christ, they aren’t doing it the easy way. For most of them, they’re MORE committed than they were when they were Catholic. And they’re not all former Catholics either, some of them came from Protestant mainline churches, and some from unchurched backgrounds.

How many threads on CAF bemoan Catholics who are unconnected to their faith, how they don’t even show up most Sundays and when they do they run out after Communion? We complain about how they don’t come to the Bible studies and other extra programs that are available for extra education and essentially stop after they’re confirmed. Well, these people are doing what we can’t. They’re keeping the kids involved, the adults involved, the singles involved, the retirees involved…their facilities are so over utilized that they’ve got to farm meetings out to homes and keep expanding to new towns.

The problem isn’t that it’s easier “over there”, because it’s not easier at all- the problem is they are communicating it better than we are. What we need to be doing instead of putting them down and acting superior is learning how to reach Catholics in the pews and communicate the message so that it makes them want to change their lives.

 

[CatholicZ09]

I know many of my friends (non-Catholics, some Catholic) tend non-denominational services. I think it’s because the setting is vibrant and exciting, and you get what you want at those services. Those said friends attend this “mega church” that is basically a church theater. You can go to the café inside, or go to the bookstore, and then go to the service. It’s really not how most Catholic churches are. It’s more entertaining in a worldly sense, and a lot of Catholics, especially the younger crowd, like praise music at church such as Christian rock. People want to be entertained.

Another reason why I think we see an uprising in non-denominational church attendance or any other Protestant church attendance for that matter verses Catholic Church attendance is that most people don’t understand or realize what happens at the Holy Mass. Jesus Christ is very present, and you get to receive Him personally! You have Communion with Him and all those who have gone before us. They are there too!

If people really knew what happened at Mass, Catholic churches across the world would be FLOODED with people, but sadly, we don’t always look through the eyes of faith.

 

[Sunbreak]

From what I have observed, it seems that the non-denominational churches offer entertainment, focus on meeting people’s needs other than religious, and are better at describing how to incorporate the gospel into every day life.

 

[shelby_sun]

For just me, I think the sermons changed under Pope Benedict, maybe that lead people to look around. I think with Pope Francis and his message you will find people going back to Mass. We will see.

It was a huge adjustment to me when our parish changed from The Jesuits when I was in the eighth grade. Not better or worse, just different.

 

[Kamaduck]

Non-denominational churches are not all the same. Many of my friends went to one of them when I was in gradeschool, and my mom went to a different one when she was in college. I have no doubt that some are greedy and want money, and some prize “fun” over all else. But while the one my friends attended was pretty fun- not gonna lie, they had the best music of any church I’ve attended- it also emphasized sin and our fallen nature. The churchgoers believed in Sola Scriptura, and had certain common beliefs that went beyond just the belief in Jesus and the Trinity. Acceptance of evolution was unheard of, as it contradicted the creation story. None believed in the real presence, though they had symbolic communion in each service.

To give you a better idea of what we’re talking about, they told me that being a “fundamentalist” was a good thing, and that all true Christians should strive to be fundamentalists. On the other hand, I knew they were really, really trying to follow God, and I still do admire that about them.

The one my mom went to was by her college, and the students went there because the serious Christians wanted to attend church together. It was more obviously non-denominational, as the students were simply away from their home churches and retained their varied beliefs.

I don’t know why a Catholic would join such a group. But as all the groups are different, I suspect there are many reasons.

 

[EasterJoy]

They don’t think they need to be in front of the Sacrament to spend time with Jesus and pour their hearts out to Him. They can do that anywhere. Ask one of them about their conversion experience and you’ll hear about falling on the floor weeping over the sin in their lives and committment to be worthy of Christ’s sacrifice. Then, they’ll tell you how their lives have changed in response to His love and how they live now to serve Him and Him alone.

I respect these people, because I’ve seen them in action. I’ve seen people go from foul mouthed, hard drinking gamblers to people who would never take the name of The Lord in vain, and spend seven days a week thinking of ways they can give more, serve more and show more of God’s love to others. They’ve been changed and they want to bring that to others.

It might not be our faith, and we might not agree with their theology-but where do we get off even hinting that they aren’t experiencing transformative faith experiences?

You make an important point. The Church makes the distinction this way (boldface mine):

"We speak of the presence of Christ under the appearances of bread and wine as “real” in order to emphasize the special nature of that presence. What appears to be bread and wine is in its very substance the Body and Blood of Christ. The entire Christ is present, God and man, body and blood, soul and divinity. While the other ways in which Christ is present in the celebration of the Eucharist are certainly not unreal, this way surpasses the others.** “This presence is called ‘real’ not to exclude the idea that the others are ‘real’ too, but rather to indicate presence par excellence, because it is substantial and through it Christ becomes present whole and entire, God and man”** ( Mysterium Fidei, no. 39).–from The Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist: Basic Questions and Answers, produced by the Committee on Doctrine of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, approved by the full body of bishops at their June 2001 General Meeting, and published at the USCCB website at usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/resources-for-the-eucharist/the-real-presence-of-jesus-christ-in-the-sacrament-of-the-eucharist-basic-questions-and-answers.cfm

 

[R_C]

@Seeker1961

It is not our concern if they believe differently, or is it? The Church is being charitable as it is, not attributing the grave sins of formal heresy or formal schism to the members of those communities, and instead promoting (true) ecumenism, acknowledging all validly baptized Christians as members of the body of Christ and calling all Christians to unity.

If we “insult them” by stating the truth, is that an insult? When Christ addressed some teachers of the law as “children of the devil” and “whited sepulchers”, was He mistaken in doing so? When He said “those who do not collect with me, scatter”, was He not teaching us to be united and to admonish those who cause division? Even further: did s. Paul not suggest us to not even speak to those who cause division and follow other doctrines?

Obviously we don’t want to insult anyone. I certainly did not insult anyone by stating some simple facts. I may be unable to express myself and I may be an uncharitable sinner, but my post was very simple and in fact very restrained because I simply wanted to suggest something more, an “extra step” that could and should be taken. If this is reason of scandal and outrage, try reading the Church Fathers.

I am glad that their lives have changed and their love and zeal are inspiring. But outside of the Church, they scatter. Period. That’s apostolic teaching, so it shouldn’t turn down anyone who is humble enough to seek Christ rather than himself.

We all want to be well and happy, but that’s hardly the point of the Christian life. Many have their life changed by finding God, so that sign is hardly the point, too. Furthermore, what about the crucial doctrinal errors embraced? Absence of the Eucharist, to begin with. No Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation follows: how will their mortal sins be forgiven after Baptism? Of course, God will have mercy of all, but do they know that the Sacraments are the ordinary means of salvation? Do they even believe in the need of good works, or are they under a fallacious “faith alone, scripture alone” doctrine?

As you can see, we may be much unworthy, but we did receive the fullness of the teaching and it is us who have preserved the tradition, so we are concerned about all our brothers and sisters. It is silly for a blind man to lead another blind man, but it is a matter of grave responsibility for the man with sight to not care about those who are looking for the light. Is this snobbish? Well, then, let the humiliation fall upon us. Regardless, “a city on the hill cannot be hidden”.

 

[Seeker1961]

I know many of my friends (non-Catholics, some Catholic) tend non-denominational services. I think it’s because the setting is vibrant and exciting, and you get what you want at those services. Those said friends attend this “mega church” that is basically a church theater. You can go to the café inside, or go to the bookstore, and then go to the service. It’s really not how most Catholic churches are. It’s more entertaining in a worldly sense, and a lot of Catholics, especially the younger crowd, like praise music at church such as Christian rock. People want to be entertained.

Another reason why I think we see an uprising in non-denominational church attendance or any other Protestant church attendance for that matter verses Catholic Church attendance is that most people don’t understand or realize what happens at the Holy Mass. Jesus Christ is very present, and you get to receive Him personally! You have Communion with Him and all those who have gone before us. They are there too!

If people really knew what happened at Mass, Catholic churches across the world would be FLOODED with people, but sadly, we don’t always look through the eyes of faith.

So is it their fault for not looking or is it our fault for not presenting it?

I agree that our churches would be mobbed if everyone understood what was happening, so how do we get folks to understand what’s happening? If all those people at the ND churches are seeking Jesus and a closer relationship with him, why wouldn’t they leap at what we have? And we can’t keep relying on “they want it easy” because even a little bit of research into the modern evangelical/non-demoninational churches will tell you that what they are asking of their people is just as rigorous as what the Church asks of us.

 

[EasterJoy]

I’ve noticed that our parish attendance has been extremely spotty. I’ve ran into quite a few church members and they’ve all told me that they’ve decided to attend non-denomination services. I’ve never been to one, so what’s the big fuss about it?

This unfortunate trend betrays a gross misunderstanding of the nature of the worship that takes place at the Holy Mass. It is possible to go to Mass and wish the homily had been better and to feel a need to find some good substantial preaching to listen to, to be challenged by. It is possible to go to Mass and wish for somewhere to have an emotional contact with other believers, or better music, or any number of things that ought to be at Mass, but that aren’t automatically there no matter who is involved in the liturgy or how they prepared for it or understand it. It is possible to go to Mass and want to add something, because something was not done well, or simply because one has a thirst to add on devotions, public prayer, and skillful professional exposition of the Holy Scriptures, in addition to what belongs to the Mass. To want more, well, even if the Mass is very well done, so far so good! That is a desire for good things, and holy things.

Having said that, though, to want more than Mass alone is quite different from thinking that Mass can be replaced by some other liturgy or devotion, even some other Catholic liturgy like the rosary or the Liturgy of the Hours or by a good classic re-run of Archbishop Sheen’s preaching, or additional adult catechesis or prayer groups. There is nothing remotely parallel to the Liturgy of the Eucharist at any other liturgy, let alone a non-denominational service. There really isn’t anything parallel to the Liturgy of the Word, either, but that is far easier to miss. To not miss the unspeakable reality of the Liturgy of the Eucharist and Holy Communion betrays a gross misunderstanding or lack of appreciation of what the Church calls “the source and the summit of Christian life”.

 

[Kelfa28]

Until I met my husband…I had never once set foot inside any Church that wasn’t Catholic.

My MIL is non-denominational and attends a large Church that has a preschool and private K-8 school attached.

A few years ago…she invited us to attend a Christmas pageant at her Church and we went.

I essentially walked into a theatre…a stage, chairs on tiers similar to stadium seating, no alter, no pews and space where a large band was set up. There was sophisticated lighting and speakers and two huge projection screens on either side of the stage.I f I hadn’t been told it was a Church and the large cross wasn’t hanging over the stage…I would have thought I walked into a rock concert.

Everyone was walking in like they were about to attend a concert. Talking, laughing and joking around. There was no reverence and no one stopped to say a prayer before taking a seat (well, how could they, I suppose).

I sat down and actually looked around…under my seat and such…and then asked “where do you keep the bibles?”
My MIL and husband laughed saying you brought your own. Which is fine I guess…but I had no indication I was attending a service of any kind.

I was confused and disturbed. I knew I wanted to run back to my Church for adoration.
I had no idea where Jesus was in that Church. At my Church…every single person could easily and specifically point out where Jesus is at any time.

I’ve been asked to go back to other events at her Church and have always politely declined.

 

[Diana_Catherine]

that’s what WE believe. Other Christians believe differently and when we insult them, and diminish them, why oh why would they ever consider coming near us? And if we’re insulting them for what they lack, why would we be surprised they follow our example and insult us? Although, with all those Catholics in the seats, I’m guessing they don’t do that much insulting. You don’t want to be doing that when half your congregation still have friends and family that are Catholic.

Like I said, the ND in my area is growing like a weed, and I know a few people at work and in my neighborhood whose lives have been changed completely by their involvement. I can argue with their theology, but I can’t argue with the passion they inspire. We should be so lucky to be inspiring people to go all out for Christ the way these folks are.

Sorry, but we come off like snobs sometimes, and I’m not surprised that people get turned off by it.

Okay from someone coming from a non - denominational church. First the music is great but gets old after a while, especially if it is only Christian rock. The draw is yes, an encounter with Christ (that is deceiving in some ways) that changes ones lives but as my ex-pastor would say the non denominational church’s run out of ways to keep people in. We have about three to four ND churches in our area and people just move around. When the sermons are good at one everyone goes there. If it is bad they go to another. ( I know I have been on the phone lines on Sunday morning with others in discussion in regarding where to attend) If a financial campaign starts people drop off, though I will admit that many give and they usually make their mark. That is why they are such huge churches.

Also, they focus on mainline protestants and Catholics because they believe we are in error and that draws Catholics who are weak in their faith in the doors. If someone tells you that you are wrong and shows you by the Bible and you believe it you will leave what you are doing wrong. Only thing is the CAtholic church is right, not the ND.

The pastor at our ND church changed his belief on salvation three times while I was there. I couldn’t figure out what he knew. The associate pastor confessed not being a pastor and didn’t know the Bible but just felt like he should preach, even though every Sunday he had feelings that it wasn’t right.

During my time in these churches we had volleyball, game shows, plays, skits, Elvis Presley, clowns, popcorn machines and candy. I remember being greeted with a tootsie roll pop and a hug once. At Christmas, no carols, no talk about Christ, no decorations, just a talk on how to get along with family. The pastors usually pick one verse out of the Bible and then talk and entertain around that verse. My son hated Children’s church because he said they talk about what he already knows and the same thing over and over. Once he even corrected the teacher and when I picked him up she told me he was wrong and I had to show her where he was right.

And I do agree they are working hard to get people in but people are people. The do see changed lives but as I said, it is shallow and the pastors struggle keeping Christians after they encounter Christ because they don’t have anywhere to go much beyond that, thus the need for the entertainment. I, also encountered people in favor of abortion, euthanasia, revenge, birth control, and more. I could just go on and on.

I spent many Sundays in the bathroom crying because I was left feeling so empty and I couldn’t even look at the churches when I would drive past them because it was such a horrible feeling in my gut. I am a revert and ever so grateful to be home and there might be many Catholics there but I think there are a lot of us reverting home. I had such a horrible experience in these churches that I feel just like Dorothy said in The Wizard of Oz, “there’s no place like home.”

 

[CatholicZ09]

So is it their fault for not looking or is it our fault for not presenting it?

I agree that our churches would be mobbed if everyone understood what was happening, so how do we get folks to understand what’s happening? If all those people at the ND churches are seeking Jesus and a closer relationship with him, why wouldn’t they leap at what we have? And we can’t keep relying on “they want it easy” because even a little bit of research into the modern evangelical/non-demoninational churches will tell you that what they are asking of their people is just as rigorous as what the Church asks of us.

The Church does present it. Some people just simply don’t believe, and that’s something we cannot change. When they go to a non-denominational service, they might find more of what they’re looking for - fellowship, praise/worship bands, etc.

Some people, as you know, hate the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has a bad rap with all the media powers in the world, and it always has. Others are misinformed about the Church, and others find it simply “too strict”.

 

[Kelfa28]

The Church does present it. Some people just simply don’t believe, and that’s something we cannot change. When they go to a non-denominational service, they might find more of what they’re looking for - fellowship, praise/worship bands, etc.

Some people, as you know, hate the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has a bad rap with all the media powers in the world, and it always has. Others are misinformed about the Church, and others find it simply “too strict”.

A ton of people have a difficult time just understanding what the Eucharist actually is and how it is.

It’s not so much that they don’t believe it’s the true presence but they just have an exceptionally difficult time wrapping their mind around it.

It took me quite a long time to grow closer to the true understanding of the Eucharist. For awhile…I would receive communion and feel disappointed and let down…I understood and accepted the Church’s teachings and would only receive when I was in a state of grace. I knew it was the real presence and accepted that reality but still had a hard time connecting the dots.

Then I started going to adoration and that was where I felt the TRUE presence of Christ. That was where I began to feel His presence and actually began to connect the dots. It’s incredibly humbling to step inside a nearly empty Church, by yourself…without any distractions and be able to bask in His presence and glory.

Being Catholic takes hard work and discipline and a certain kind of intellectual level of understanding. Otherwise…how else can you truly understand and accept the Eucharist? The source and summit of our faith.

The two biggest things my MIL has no understanding of is the Eucharist and Church history.
It’s easier for her to be an ND Christian as a result.

 

[Seeker1961]

The Church does present it. Some people just simply don’t believe, and that’s something we cannot change. When they go to a non-denominational service, they might find more of what they’re looking for - fellowship, praise/worship bands, etc.

Some people, as you know, hate the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has a bad rap with all the media powers in the world, and it always has. Others are misinformed about the Church, and others find it simply “too strict”.

That’s the same story we’ve been lulling ourselves into complacency with for years…and watched our churches get emptier and emptier and our populations get older and older.

But, yes…by all means-let’s continue to complain about how persecuted we are and insinuate that everyone else is lazy or ignorant and ignore what’s really going on in these ND churches.

I’ve been to these churches myself, I’ve read the books from their most prominent Pastors and I know it’s more than rock music, coffee shops and it’s certainly not an “easy” Gospel. Maybe if more Catholics tried that, they might be less complacent about it. Make no mistake, the Catholic Church is losing young families, teenagers, middle aged folks and retirees to these Churches, and we’re going to keep losing them as long as we continue to believe the fairy tales we’re telling ourselves about how none of it is because of something we’re not doing right. Nothing is that one sided.

Maybe the idea of a smaller," purer" Church is appealing to some, but not to me. I don’t want to sit there in an empty Church feeling great about how right I am and how wrong everyone else is. I want those people sitting there WITH me, receiving all the blessings of the sacraments and the true church.

 

[Diana_Catherine]

That’s the same story we’ve been lulling ourselves into complacency with for years…and watched our churches get emptier and emptier and our populations get older and older.

But, yes…by all means-let’s continue to complain about how persecuted we are and insinuate that everyone else is lazy or ignorant and ignore what’s really going on in these ND churches.

I’ve been to these churches myself, I’ve read the books from their most prominent Pastors and I know it’s more than rock music, coffee shops and it’s certainly not an “easy” Gospel. Maybe if more Catholics tried that, they might be less complacent about it. Make no mistake, the Catholic Church is losing young families, teenagers, middle aged folks and retirees to these Churches, and we’re going to keep losing them as long as we continue to believe the fairy tales we’re telling ourselves about how none of it is because of something we’re not doing right. Nothing is that one sided.

Maybe the idea of a smaller," purer" Church is appealing to some, but not to me. I don’t want to sit there in an empty Church feeling great about how right I am and how wrong everyone else is. I want those people sitting there WITH me, receiving all the blessings of the sacraments and the true church.

There are so many ways and places people can learn the Catholic faith today. There are websites and EWTN and blogs and books and more. As I said in my earlier post, there are people going there, to ND churches but many don’t stay and many are reverting back to the Catholic faith. Our parish and pretty much all of the parishes in my city are full of young people, teens and families.

True, we do need to be a better witness of our faith but most people choose the ND churches because of once saved, always saved and so they do not have to obey any teachings, just follow what they believe the Bible is telling them or their pastor says the Bible is telling them and still make it to heaven, which is not true, so they are being led astray from the gospel.

 

[Suslar]

Being Catholic takes hard work and discipline and a certain kind of intellectual level of understanding. Otherwise…how else can you truly understand and accept the Eucharist? The source and summit of our faith.

Awesome post!

 

[Seeker1961]

Being Catholic takes hard work and discipline and a certain kind of intellectual level of understanding. Otherwise…how else can you truly understand and accept the Eucharist? The source and summit of our faith.

If we could reach, we could all pat ourselves on the back for being so intelligent and disciplined, couldn’t we? And oh…isn’t it sad about all those lazy, ignorant people that are living out there?

Is this really who we are?