would you go to the service?

[Kitty_Chan]

In other words, you would talk to your pastor instead of going to another church - that is one of the answers to my question, then.

My next question for you is - would you attend regularly a service where the language is foreign to you - you won’t be able to understand what the language the pastor and the whole congregation is using?

Talking to the pastor priest is only part of it, understanding what Im doing to affect him is the other half. Perhaps Im the “problem” not him.

Regularly attend a service? hmmm Ive attended a deaf church and only knew a bit. I think you could attend a service that the language was foreign but on a steady basis I would have to wonder if one was growing in Christ.

If the priest pastor could provide a translation after for you then you could join the worship and get the learning later.

or someone could translate for you like they do for the deaf.

bottom line you can but as a steady thing its probably better to only go sometimes but the rest should be where you can learn.

If you have to stay then Id look into the translation, thats what the non hearing world has to do as a comparision.

does that help??



oh if one had to stay then you could go on sunday to fullfill the obligation and perhaps go to a wed nite bible study or a wed nite service at a protestant church ?? for the preaching?? just a after thought. Im just trying to toss out the ideas without knowing specifics.

 

[THutch04]

If it was just that he wasn’t a great speaker, but had a good message (not necessarily a profound message, but one that is a teaching lesson), I wouldn’t leave. If he had no coherent message or point of focus, I’d probably stay if that were the only problem, but not be very enthusiastic about his preaching. I really can’t see myself leaving over something like that.

I wouldn’t regularly attend a service where the language was foreign to me. Yes, the Eucharist is the same, no, I don’t “need” to understand the language to receive the Eucharist. I would go maybe once if there were no other options, but given the choice between one where I can’t understand the language and one where I can, I’d go to the one that I can understand.

 

[geekborj]

I’m a Catholic convert but i’d rather participate in the mass since it is more than just a service. I receive Jesus fully: both spiritually and physically. I am also given His Words during the Liturgy of the Word. However, not all Catholic Preachers are that good (and i would say the same with non-Catholics).

 

[scottm]

For some non-Catholics, would you go to mass/service/church at a specific church/place if the minister there is not good with his preaching? or you would go find somewhere else?

Thanks!

Let’s clarify “good.” If it means “entertaining, eloquent speaker,” probably not. That by itself is not a reason to leave the church.

If instead “good” means “gives oral instruction from the ambo/pulpit/whatever on the Bible and the Creeds and various Vatican documents” then yes – I would leave if the pastor is not “good.” If a pastor will not teach the message of God to the people, then he has failed at his job. His job is to teach the flock the Word of God as contained in the Bible, in the Creeds, and in other authoritative church documents.

 

[water]

Regularly attend a service? hmmm Ive attended a deaf church and only knew a bit. I think you could attend a service that the language was foreign but on a steady basis I would have to wonder if one was growing in Christ.

I’m a Catholic convert but i’d rather participate in the mass since it is more than just a service.** I receive Jesus fully: both spiritually and physically**. I am also given His Words during the Liturgy of the Word. However, not all Catholic Preachers are that good (and i would say the same with non-Catholics).

That’s what makes me go to Spanish mass regularly when there is no English mass available, and my daily mass where the 80-year old retire priest celebrates at a church near my workplace; I hardly hear him at all. However, with faith, the Eucharist is what I understand and grow in Christ.

 

[water]

Let’s clarify “good.” If it means “entertaining, eloquent speaker,” probably not. That by itself is not a reason to leave the church.

Hi Scott, this is what I had in mind - sorry, I didn’t make it clear.

This is so true!!

I guess that my answer, though, would depend on what the OP means by “not good with preaching”. If you mean, as Puzzleannie says, that he just has a weak delivery, then I would stay, and seek to learn from him just the same.

 

[Kitty_Chan]

That’s what makes me go to Spanish mass regularly when there is no English mass available, and my daily mass where the 80-year old retire priest celebrates at a church near my workplace; I hardly hear him at all. However, with faith, the Eucharist is what I understand and grow in Christ.

Ok so just so Im clear, there is a Spanish mass and thats on Sundays, and sometimes they offer a english service.

And the daily mass is the 80 yr is the “boring” one but its in english?

Are these all in the same church or two??

is this the right way around??

Off hand Id say pick up one of those rosetta stone software and learn spanish, Also, I bet vegas money if you approached the priest hed have you a couple tutors straight away.

My brother is a crane operator in northern alberta and inbetween lifts its gets sorta dull, just waiting for the guys at the bottom to organize things to lift. So he picked up spanish learning cds and hes doing very well.

 

[water]

Ok so just so Im clear, there is a Spanish mass and thats on Sundays, and sometimes they offer a english service.

And the daily mass is the 80 yr is the “boring” one but its in english?

Are these all in the same church or two??

Two different parishes: one is my parish where they offer english and spanish mass during weekday ( but my time does not allow me to go there during the weekday unless I have time off from work), the other parish is right next to my company where I go to daily mass. The 80 year priest couldn’t make sound clear for me to understand but I this is not reason for me to not go there 5 days a week during lunch time.

My main point is I receive the Eucharist - the Body and Blood of Christ - and this does not stop me from attending the mass there daily because I could not understand the priest.

So, for your reply, you probably would not go to the service if you cannot understand your pastor’s preaching, would you?

 

[Kitty_Chan]

The 80 year priest couldn’t make sound clear for me to understand but I this is not reason for me to not go there 5 days a week during lunch time.

My main point is I receive the Eucharist - the Body and Blood of Christ - and this does not stop me from attending the mass there daily because I could not understand the priest.

So, for your reply, you probably would not go to the service if you cannot understand your pastor’s preaching, would you?

Thanks sorry to ask, but just trying to give something useful to you I hope

So you can go on the weekend to mass and its in english so the spanish isnt a problem, if so take spanish you will have fun.

Through the week yea lunch time would be well spent there. We formed a bible study at my previous work at a college and it was great, dont know if we always did so good but it was a good thing.

So you say you cant hear him, (btw I cannot hear in one ear, so I guess the subject appeals to me, plus your a nice person and if I can help, well thats me, blame God, He made me that way

ok you cant hear him, 80 yrs hmm. I suppose you have tried sitting closer? or closer to a speaker maybe? I know what its like to hear mumble, it is frusterating. If I remember correct most of the service is in the missel book right? except what he says in the sermon part right? you cant obviously get a copy of notes

When its hard to hear its either volume or anunciation.

Scope out the sancuatary and look for the speakers or sit at the front and see how that helps.

Also try looking directly at his face, you will be able to read his lips a bit and that should help. Also will make him feel good someones paying attention.

Anunciation, all you can do is what I said above and then try to relax and listen, notice how he carries the words and says them, Does he have a accent or just “older” vocal chords, try to hear the rythm or cadence.

When he says familar parts note how he says the words then listen for it when he speaks the rest.

Now, I know whats going on if I was you Id stay. If you enjoy the time spent with God then just try the suggestiions I said if you want. You go on sunday to get the learning part so its not as important as the rest for your soul from work during lunch right?

Unless it frusterates you, but try those things and I shouldnt leave it to last but ask God, to help you understand the priest.

 

[water]

Unless it frusterates you, but try those things and I shouldnt leave it to last but ask God, to help you understand the priest.

Yes, I do this every time, including reading lips, sitting closer to him as you suggested. But he was mumbling, non-stopping talking (no pause between words) from beginning til the end. I could get few words out of hundreds. I don’t blame him though, but I am appreciated that he still celebrates the mass.

 

[Brian_C]

When I was a Baptist growing up, we viewed church hoppers with the same derision as adulterers. It didn’t matter if you liked the pastor b/c it was your church home. Pastors come and go. Granted, if the preaching got really bad, the deacons would, um, help the pastor along…