Why do so many protestants not consider church attendance an important part of their faith?

[KathleenGee]

RevKevin and TweetyMom,

Of course the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work among the Protestants.

Having attended protestant services and seen their tv programs, the intent of worshipping the Lord is the same, but comparing a service to a Mass is comparing apples to oranges. They both nourish and nurture us.

But having the physical presence of the Lord with us and always present in the tabernacle is different, the Mass is the Holy Sacrifice of Jesus – with us – as the only pleasing sacrifice to the Father.

This point, that our only required gathering at Sunday Mass – that only Jesus can please the Father is the crux and the counterpoint to those who say Catholics pray and worship based on our own works.

The Sunday Mass, through Jesus Christ, is the only pleasing means we have to be acceptable to the Father. We are united with Jesus at Mass. I am not saying this for protestants. Just for Catholics. So to miss Mass is a grave sin. We ‘attend’ at Mass. So our focus is on the whole liturgy. It is imperative that Catholics know the Mass and its parts, and ongoing catechesis is necessary. I am constantly learning more and more about my faith on the basic essentials.

And not only because our churches have sacred tabernacles with hte sanctuary candle, the purpose of the Mass and all its aspects, the sacraments, all are sacred and require us to make an ambient for God that is worthy of His presence.

 

[tweetymom]

RevKevin and TweetyMom,

Of course the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work among the Protestants.

Having attended protestant services and seen their tv programs, the intent of worshipping the Lord is the same, but comparing a service to a Mass is comparing apples to oranges. They both nourish and nurture us.

But having the physical presence of the Lord with us and always present in the tabernacle is different, the Mass is the Holy Sacrifice of Jesus – with us – as the only pleasing sacrifice to the Father.

This point, that our only required gathering at Sunday Mass – that only Jesus can please the Father is the crux and the counterpoint to those who say Catholics pray and worship based on our own works.

The Sunday Mass, through Jesus Christ, is the only pleasing means we have to be acceptable to the Father. We are united with Jesus at Mass. I am not saying this for protestants. Just for Catholics. So to miss Mass is a grave sin. We ‘attend’ at Mass. So our focus is on the whole liturgy. It is imperative that Catholics know the Mass and its parts, and ongoing catechesis is necessary. I am constantly learning more and more about my faith on the basic essentials.

And not only because our churches have sacred tabernacles with hte sanctuary candle, the purpose of the Mass and all its aspects, the sacraments, all are sacred and require us to make an ambient for God that is worthy of His presence.

Protestants are united with Christ everytime they have communion.

 

[KathleenGee]

And to ‘provide’ the sacraments and care for the altar and the church, a person must be consecrated to the Lord, chosen.

So the priesthood and the protestant minister share some of the same duties, but in ministering the sacraments and ecclesia, the priesthood has its own rules.

Our parish has just one priest. He is also working as a professional in working with victims of past abuse in the church. We are growing, he is working on a campaign so we can have more space. It will take some years to do this in this economy.

I think our lay ministers provide alot of support, both men and women, to members of our parish. We have ongoing bible classes with much fellowship – and the stress in them is the Christian brotherhood. This is a new community parish whose founders had their eyes wide open to all that happened during the years following Vatican II and the mistakes made. They stayed out of it. It is the best parish I have ever been in and am so thankful I am there. It has made up for lost time.

But I know of many parishes who don’t have such a good lay leadership. I can see protestant ministers be of great help in parishes in building people’s faith up outside of Mass. Sometimes it is hard for some priests to manage lay ministers who are essentially on fire. Many of those end up having their own evangelical or teaching ministeries on campuses.

The Mass and protestant services are both good. I pray we can merge them as it would greatly enrich all. The protestants do not realize what they are missing by not having the sacraments, the liturgy, the universal catechism, and all the good and great history of the Catholic Church that is missing from public life.

 

[tweetymom]

And to ‘provide’ the sacraments and care for the altar and the church, a person must be consecrated to the Lord, chosen.

So the priesthood and the protestant minister share some of the same duties, but in ministering the sacraments and ecclesia, the priesthood has its own rules.

Our parish has just one priest. He is also working as a professional in working with victims of past abuse in the church. We are growing, he is working on a campaign so we can have more space. It will take some years to do this in this economy.

I think our lay ministers provide alot of support, both men and women, to members of our parish. We have ongoing bible classes with much fellowship – and the stress in them is the Christian brotherhood. This is a new community parish whose founders had their eyes wide open to all that happened during the years following Vatican II and the mistakes made. They stayed out of it. It is the best parish I have ever been in and am so thankful I am there. It has made up for lost time.

But I know of many parishes who don’t have such a good lay leadership. I can see protestant ministers be of great help in parishes in building people’s faith up outside of Mass. Sometimes it is hard for some priests to manage lay ministers who are essentially on fire. Many of those end up having their own evangelical or teaching ministeries on campuses.

The Mass and protestant services are both good. I pray we can merge them as it would greatly enrich all. The protestants do not realize what they are missing by not having the sacraments, the liturgy, the universal catechism, and all the good and great history of the Catholic Church that is missing from public life.

I have been both and I or others have never missed a thing.

 

[PJM]

=rev kevin;6545478]Well the architecture and frunishings mean nothing to God it only serves man.Now most of the smaller churches are closed because the pastor is a volunteer and has a job to go to. But the bigger churches like mine are open from early morning to late at night. We help the homeless, we feed the hungry, we fullfull the needs of the community, We had a homeless family sleeping in a car in our parking lot when one of our members went up to the and asked if they needed help. Out of his own pocket he rented them a hotel room and told them to come back tomorrow for help. My church helped them with food and we got them temporary shelter, paid for by the church. Got the husband a job and we also got habitat for humanity to give them a house, We donate thousands of dollars to different charities. We have homeless stay at our church and we are invovled in a program for homeless families called family promise, which is a nation wide ministry for homeless families, and we started one from our church which was the first to do it in our area. We now have over 13 churches involved. Me and my family were homeless so you can’t tell me that they aren’t approachable. The welcome the homeless with open arms and don’t look down on them at all. We have had people come from off the streets and we helped them. So don’t say something unless you know the reasons some are not open all the time. But there are many that are open to who ever has a need. The smaller churches also don’t have the funds to do all that a bigger church can do.

***Oh REALLY

So Rev. you’re not filmiliar with th book of Exodus?/***I]

**Exo. 25: 1-20 **[and lot’s more where this comes from]

[1] The LORD said to Moses,
[2] “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me an offering; from every man whose heart makes him willing you shall receive the offering for me. And this is the offering which you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, blue and purple and scarlet stuff and fine twined linen, goats’ hair, tanned rams’ skins, goatskins, acacia wood, oil for the lamps, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, onyx stones, and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece. And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. [9] According to all that I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it. ** "They shall make an ark of acacia wood; two cubits and a half shall be its length, a cubit and a half its breadth, and a cubit and a half its height. And you shall overlay it with pure gold, within and without shall you overlay it, and you shall make upon it a molding of gold round about. ** And you shall cast four rings of gold for it and put them on its four feet, two rings on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it. You shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. [14] And you shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to carry the ark by them. The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. And you shall put into the ark the testimony which I shall give you. Then you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two cubits and a half shall be its length, and a cubit and a half its breadth. And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end; of one piece with the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. [Like ststues…hmmmm.][20] The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be.”

These verses and others like them,are why Catholic Churches are [supposed to be, if possible, Ornate… they are “God’s House,” NOT SIMPLY ASSEMBLY SPACE.[/COLOR]

Rev. I agree with your final coment on smaller churches.

Love and prayers,

 

[KathleenGee]

Tweety,

There is a difference between faith in the Word and faith in the Word Made Flesh.

There is a difference…and each has grace, but I would admit there is a difference between faith with thought and faith with physical substance, and with the type of grace given from both.

You are very active at CAF and so I don’t want to go on repeating what many others have shared.

I am hoping today to share on mystic St. Catherine’s writings on the Eucharist and the Lord’s ministers.

 

[tweetymom]

Tweety,

There is a difference between faith in the Word and faith in the Word Made Flesh. There is a difference…and each has grace, but I would admit there is a difference between faith with thought and faith with physical substance, and with the type of grace given from both.

HMM???

 

[PJM]

=maggie41;6545508]The part that I have bolded is so true! As a convert from the Baptist tradition, I can attest to the truth of this statement. Coming to church was good in theory, but not neccessary. The fellowship and encouragement of believers was a good reason to attend regularly, but there again, not neccessary. The preaching and the music are THE criteria for choosing a church home. You “church shop” looking for a church that suits your family’s needs in fellowship, taste in music and preaching. None of these things are bad in and of themselves.

But, what I have experienced since becoming Catholic is that attending Church is neccessary. The music, preaching, and fellowship are good, but are secondary as the reason for attendance at mass. The focus of mass is Jesus in the Eucharist. I can fellowship, listen to uplifting music and hear good preaching outside of mass, what I cannot do is recieve Jesus in the Eucharist. Since becoming Catholic I have not felt the need to “church shop” because regardless of the music, preaching etc… Jesus is the same!

In Christ’s Love,
Maggie

Church attendance is mandatory as demanded by God Himself. It is One of the Commandments. It’s not something Catholics made up.

The diference and the real issue is Catholics actually have a Personal relationship; actually, an Intimate Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ. “Do this in Memory of Me,”…This Is MY Body, This IS My Blood!"] Mt. 26, Mk.14, Lk. 22, John 6, Paul 1 Cor.

MANY Protestants simply have no understanding of God’s actual Nature, and the relationship they invision is based only on there personal understanding of God; as a God of infinite Mercy, Love, Kindness and Compassion. They choose to ignore that God is Judge; and that the Judge MUST be Fair an Just… judging our deeds … ; so there relationship in based on an false idea; not on the reality of God. Therefore any such relationship wth God is questionable.

Ps.7: 8" The LORD judges the peoples;judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day."

**Ps.9: 8 **“and he judges the world with righteousness, he judges the peoples with equity.”

Ps.75: " At the set time which I appoint I will judge with equity."

2Cor.11: 15 “So it is not strange if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”

1st. Peter 1: 16 “since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you invoke as Father him who judges each one impartially according to his deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.”

Further they either do not know the bible, don’t understand it or feel free to ignore it, which sems the most likely case in that they feel free to give it what ever understanding they wish. WRONG!. "Keep Holy the Sabbath Day"is One of the ten Commandments.

Love and prayers,

 

[tweetymom]

Church attendance is mandatory as demanded by God Himself. It is One of the Commandments. It’s not something Catholics made up.

The diference and the real issue is Catholics actually have a Personal relationship; actually, an Intimate Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ. “Do this in Memory of Me,”…This Is MY Body, This IS My Blood!"] Mt. 26, Mk.14, Lk. 22, John 6, Paul 1 Cor.

MANY Protestants simply have no understanding of God’s actual Nature, and the relationship they invision is based only on there personal understanding of God; as a God of infinite Mercy, Love, Kindness and Compassion. They choose to ignore that God is Judge; and that the Judge MUST be Fair an Just… judging our deeds … ; so there relationship in based on an false idea; not on the reality of God. Therefore any such relationship wth God is questionable.

Ps.7: 8" The LORD judges the peoples;judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day."

**Ps.9: 8 **“and he judges the world with righteousness, he judges the peoples with equity.”

Ps.75: " At the set time which I appoint I will judge with equity."

2Cor.11: 15 “So it is not strange if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”

1st. Peter 1: 16 “since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you invoke as Father him who judges each one impartially according to his deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.”

Further they either do not know the bible, don’t understand it or feel free to ignore it, which sems the most likely case in that they feel free to give it what ever understanding they wish. WRONG!. "Keep Holy the Sabbath Day"is One of the ten Commandments.

Love and prayers,

I have a very real and personal relationship with Jesus, as most people who are Christians do. Has nothing to do with the name on the door. Sure am thankful that God is our judge and Savior. Andsister most Christians are very educated in the Biblejust because they do not agree with you doesn’t mean they are stupid. Not only do a lot of Protestants fail to go to church, I know many many Catholics who do not either. So it is an issue that all churches deal with.

 

[ralphy]

RevKevin and TweetyMom,

Of course the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work among the Protestants.

Having attended protestant services and seen their tv programs, the intent of worshipping the Lord is the same, but comparing a service to a Mass is comparing apples to oranges. They both nourish and nurture us.

But having the physical presence of the Lord with us and always present in the tabernacle is different, the Mass is the Holy Sacrifice of Jesus – with us – as the only pleasing sacrifice to the Father.

This point, that our only required gathering at Sunday Mass – that only Jesus can please the Father is the crux and the counterpoint to those who say Catholics pray and worship based on our own works.

The Sunday Mass, through Jesus Christ, is the only pleasing means we have to be acceptable to the Father. We are united with Jesus at Mass. I am not saying this for protestants. Just for Catholics. So to miss Mass is a grave sin. We ‘attend’ at Mass. So our focus is on the whole liturgy. It is imperative that Catholics know the Mass and its parts, and ongoing catechesis is necessary. I am constantly learning more and more about my faith on the basic essentials.

And not only because our churches have sacred tabernacles with hte sanctuary candle, the purpose of the Mass and all its aspects, the sacraments, all are sacred and require us to make an ambient for God that is worthy of His presence.

I would like to inject some scripture here regarding the “tabernacle”. If you read Heb 9:11, you will see that the tabernacle is not here, and not made with hands, Jesus is in heaven, His Holy Spirit is here, and indwells believers, those who are born again. By the way the Father does not need any sacrifices, the sacrifice of His Son, the Lord Jesus was enough to satisfy the Father. The Bible says that there are “no more sacrifices for sin”. If I can further add more scripture, the Bible says that,"faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Ralph

 

[jmcrae]

I would like to inject some scripture here regarding the “tabernacle”. If you read Heb 9:11, you will see that the tabernacle is not here, and not made with hands, Jesus is in heaven, His Holy Spirit is here, and indwells believers, those who are born again.

Jesus also said “I will be with you until the end of ages.” how so? By means of the Real Presence of Christ, which we find in the Tabernacle.

In the Book of Revelation we are told that the Sanctuary Lamps of those seven churches had gone out. I never knew what that meant, until I found out that the Sanctuary Lamp is the lamp next to the Tabernacle, whose light tells you that Jesus is present within.

Those lamps went out because they had stopped believing in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, and had stopped putting Him into their tabernacles.

There are no Sanctuary Lamps in most Protestant churches, are there?

By the way the Father does not need any sacrifices, the sacrifice of His Son, the Lord Jesus was enough to satisfy the Father. The Bible says that there are “no more sacrifices for sin”.

Right - which is why the Sacrifice made at Mass is a Sacrifice of Thanksgiving (the bread and wine) and that what we receive from the Altar in sacrifice for our sins is Jesus Himself, under the appearances of the bread and wine, but not actually the bread and wine.

If I can further add more scripture, the Bible says that,"faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Ralph

The Word of God is Christ in His Church; not (exclusively) a book.

 

[KathleenGee]

So now we are entering into the Physical Presence of God…Who is here among us and Jesus said He would never leave us…through HIs Sacrament of Body and Blood.

The first problem I see is that you are dealing with only words…

and how they can be expressed in different contexts, to being carried a certain practice or interaction that bear Good Fruit of the Holy Spirit. I am referring here to Bible study. You can study a certain book or passage, you share common experience in the Lord, you see where the Scripture today is speaking to you in your given situation, and He is giving you sustenance so your life is complete in experiencing the Lord in the Word, and with your faith sharing group, you look forward to implementing the Word of God more deeply into every day life. Catholics are identical. We have the same Spirit. Catholics are the same and experience the same fruit of Jesus Christ in Bible fellowship, and receive the same knowledge if we attend a protestant Bible fellowship.

So when it comes to every day devotion to Scripture, particularly in a group fellowship setting, Catholics are the same as Protestant and we can utilize your materials as I already have.

There is the reference to our bodies being the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit resides in the depths of our soul through Baptism. He speaks to our conscience, He calls us to grow deeper in love for God by desiring to know Him more and to follow His will more deeply. We are not to abuse our bodies with smoking, excessive drinking, illicit drugs, sinning with all the parts of our body.

Catholics and Protestants consider our bodies temples of the Holy Spirit. So Catholics and Protestants have the same beliefs in that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

The Catholic and Protestant churches have the same baptismal fonts and use the Catholic rite of baptism…so we still see our Protestant brethren still members of the Catholic church through Baptism, but as separated.

Thus, Catholics see Protestants as still members of the universal Catholic Church incorporated into the Body of Christ as the same.

 

[PJM]

=tweetymom;6578914]I have a very real and personal relationship with Jesus, as most people who are Christians do. Has nothing to do with the name on the door. Sure am thankful that God is our judge and Savior. Andsister most Christians are very educated in the Biblejust because they do not agree with you doesn’t mean they are stupid. Not only do a lot of Protestants fail to go to church, I know many many Catholics who do not either. So it is an issue that all churches deal with.

Hi tweety,

No need for name calling.

The point I made is valid.

A Personal relationship with Christ is far more personal, even intimate. Protestants cannot make this claim. Why?

Because God favors the Only Church He actually founded.

Love and prayers,
Pat

 

[PRmerger]

A Personal relationship with Christ is far more personal, even intimate. Protestants cannot make this claim. Why?

And because Protestants cannot have the *most *intimate form of union–the One Flesh Union–that only those who have the Eucharist can enjoy.

Certainly, Protestants can have a wonderful relationship with Jesus; however, they’re unable to consummate this relationship. They’re just “buddies”. Best buddies, for sure, but not Spouses with Jesus.

 

[tweetymom]

Hi tweety,

No need for name calling.

The point I made is valid.

A Personal relationship with Christ is far more personal, even intimate. Protestants cannot make this claim. Why?

Because God favors the Only Church He actually founded.

Love and prayers,
Pat

Sorry to disagree with you. God favors all that believe in Him, and to say otherwise is very wrong.

 

[lil_flower_luv]

And because Protestants cannot have the *most *intimate form of union–the One Flesh Union–that only those who have the Eucharist can enjoy.

Certainly, Protestants can have a wonderful relationship with Jesus; however, they’re unable to consummate this relationship. They’re just “buddies”. Best buddies, for sure, but not Spouses with Jesus.

Very good way of putting it sister in Christ!!

Good thread, too. I’m so happy and blessed to be Catholic!!!

 

[KathleenGee]

And there is also the issue of non Catholics returning to the issue of the sacraments over and over again, don’t need them…but you still want some kind of answer…

I say this in regards to the tone and manner you respond to us.

So stepping aside, are protestants active in this thread reside in congregations that are critical of Catholics?

Do you know Catholic priests do not need to get up to put down other Christians, but always see you as our brethren, albeit separate? We receive so much in Christ that there is no need to react to other Christians at our Sunday worship. There is no place there for us.

wondering…

Or if you continue here, is it because you are trying to teach us about our faith here??

 

[TechieJustin]

Here’s a question… Even thought I’m catholic, I don’t attend church regularly. Only on Christmas and Easter.

However, last year I spent Christmas at the Vatican during Midnight Mass.
I think that should charge up my Catholic battery for a few more years. Right?

 

[KathleenGee]

You should get a copy of the Liturgy and find out what you are missing…

Do you know what is really happening at Mass???

And because you only go twice to Christmas and Easter, you are still missing out on the greatest feast day of the Church…

 

[PRmerger]

Here’s a question… Even thought I’m catholic, I don’t attend church regularly. Only on Christmas and Easter.

However, last year I spent Christmas at the Vatican during Midnight Mass.
I think that should charge up my Catholic battery for a few more years. Right?

I wonder how long your marriage would last if you only got together on Christmas and Easter, (oh and one really big anniversary night out that ended with a flourish)?