***emergency Intervention***

[Axion]

I don't see anything wrong with a church sitting down to talk to people who have long been active in their congregation to discuss why they are leaving and what would make them stay. I wish more churches, of all persuasions would do this. Most of the time churches act like they are thinking, "so leave already."

No. But the term "Emergency Intervention," doesn't sound like a quiet talk. I may be getting the wrong handle on this, but it sounds more like some high-pressure involvement.

 

[Axion]

I honestly believe they see her as 'weaker' in her conviction and are trying to change her mind so she can get to me!! They decided they would come over next week for an EMERGENCY INTERVENTION!!!!
!

Just a thought. But this may well involve you being group bombarded with every anti-catholic argument and scripture proof-text in existence. Everything from "Call no man father", "Where is purgatory in the bible?", "there is one mediator, don't pray to dead Saints", "Catholics teach works-righteousness", "Mary had other children," and "come out of the harlot", to the Spanish Inquisition!

If the meeting goes this way, you are unlikely to have all the right scripture responses and other information to hand. So why not print off some detailed answers to a lot of the favoured attack-routes from the net beforehand, with appropriate scripture quotes, (scripture catholic and other apol sites are good)and have the references ready to hand to quote from or pass out?

 

[Thursday]

When I left the catholic church, they held a special mass and sent two married couples to tell me how I was dooming my soul to leave because I was rejecting the one true church. How is that any different than what these folks are doing??

How long ago did you leave?

 

[StPaul]

This is just me... but I would jokingly set up my place to where it would look like something out of a Hippy-Spiritualism movie, and when they come... have them join in bazaar rituals (I would just love to see their reactions ).

In all seriousness, though, you are in my prayers. With something like what they are doing, you can expect that the same major themes about Catholicism will come to the table. Given that, it will be easy to anticipate the "problems" that they will try to show you.

I agree with all that has been suggested, they are great ideas! I especially like the idea about setting the mood of your house to be peaceful with music and a nice dinner. With that, think ahead about different scenarios that may happen, and how to peacefully resolve it.

Give real-world (tangible) examples of Catholicism. What I mean by that is, say for instance, they bring up Saints, Statue Worship, Mary Worship, Images in house, etc. You could, somewhere in the conversation,... distract them the negativism, and show them some pictures of your children, or wedding that you may have displayed.

Tell them about the event, or something special about that picture, and tell them about how much that picture means to you/ how much memories that picture brings to you. This is easy to set up a connection with "Statue worship,... etc.". For instance, you can say things like "Is it wrong for me to have these emotions when I see these pictures?... Am I really having these feelings because of the picture, or the events/people the picture reminds me of?..." and begin to explain basic Catholic Doctrine.

Personally, I like to think that Jesus spoke in parables because no matter what He would have said plainly, the people would have had a harden heart and not accept His views. By speaking in parables, He gave "real-world" examples that got the people to honestly think about His message (no matter what their bias was).

Don't try to change minds, but try to connect with your friends and explain questions they may have (even though they may try to change you).

 

[Monica02]

Funny story;

My wife recently made her final decision to rejoin the Church As some may know we were very active in our former protestant church, she was a sunday school teacher, nursery worker, choir member, and director of the childrens choir. I made my decision and left a while ago while she decided to stay a bit longer. When she made her decison public she fearlessly told all that she was going to the Catholic Church...

Then she was bombarded by members of our former church trying to convince her to stay; when she answered all their questions she asked if they would like to come by for dinner and talk with both of us...

I honestly believe they see her as 'weaker' in her conviction and are trying to change her mind so she can get to me!! They decided they would come over next week for an EMERGENCY INTERVENTION!!!!

Has this ever happened to any of you? Why is it that these people feel the need to "save" us from the evil Catholic Church, but often refuse to speak to unbelievers about their faith? I love the challenge but my wife is dreading the confrontation...any advice would be wonderful.

Thanks in advance!

I see this as a great opportunity for you and your wife to try to convert these people to Catholicism. Do you think this would be out of line?

 

[Carlos Vigil]

I don't see anything wrong with a church sitting down to talk to people who have long been active in their congregation to discuss why they are leaving and what would make them stay. I wish more churches, of all persuasions would do this. Most of the time churches act like they are thinking, "so leave already."

When I left the catholic church, they held a special mass and sent two married couples to tell me how I was dooming my soul to leave because I was rejecting the one true church. How is that any different than what these folks are doing??

I agree with what you SEE... and your WISH.

You were scattering.
These people are Gathering......Mt.12:30

Carlos

 

[nyj]

I see this as a great opportunity for you and your wife to try to convert these people to Catholicism. Do you think this would be out of line?

I agree. Turn the tables on them. Evangelize them, before they get a chance to evangelize you!

 

[Michelina]

I see this as a great opportunity for you and your wife to try to convert these people to Catholicism. Do you think this would be out of line?

I agree. Turn the tables on them. Evangelize them, before they get a chance to evangelize you!

Pray to the Holy Spirit with them, Isaiah, and speak with Love in all you say. Let them know that you are sorry for them in their sincere but incomplete understanding of the Faith taught by the Apostles.

I think that you'll find that they really don't know much about the History of the Church, esp. "the Reformation".

Maybe you can give them links to Catholic sites, literature etc. You can only expect to plant seeds. God will do the rest.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Don't forget with the coffee and dessert platter to bust out the rosaries for everyone to pray after dinner!!

 

[MParedon]

I'm praying for your family and I'm hoping that even though many will disagree with your wife that they still respect her decision. ONE piece of advise I have is to set some ground rules up first and tell everyone that you are very glad to discuss this issue with them, but that no one should resort to name-calling or little 'digs' it undertstandible that faith matters can get people emotional but you don't want the discussion to disintigrate into that.

Also TWO, Say that you are willing to discuss a topic until a conclusion or 'agreement to disagree' about it is reached BUT NOT to skip around on topics during a discussion. (Like if you are talking about the Eucharist and someone starts acusing you of worshiping Mary out of no where) I think that is the most important thing to remember because once you are getting somewhere on an issue then someone pops up with some tangent in order to distract and so they won't be proven wrong. I don't think they do it maliciously, it's just a sort of defensive instinct. So make sure to point that out before any discussion starts and keep reminding people once they start doing that, because if it starts to happen then things will probaly end up going a bit hay wire.

and THIRD, provide food and drink. I know that I always get cranky if I don't get fuel and am expected to concentrate on anything remotely serious .

 

[Isaiah 53]

First of all let me say Thank you to everyone for your wonderful advice and especially your prayers!!


I honestly have no idea what to really expect from this meeting, as I said these people are sor of 'gun-shy' when they speak to me about apologetics and the like; I do expect them to come with seveal couples. And I do expect to cover the typical Protestant misunderstandings; i.e Mary, Communion of the Saints, Confession, the Eucharist, and Papal Infallablility. I am confident in my knowledge of apologetics and even more confident in the Holy Spirit!!

I will let you all know how it goes!

Thanks again!!

 

[Carrye]

What day will this intervention be, Isaiah?

 

[Metanoia02]

Isaiah,

If I may offer a little advice. Don't focus on apologetics. Focus on how you have changed since coming to know the Catholic Church and what it teaches. Use what they so often use as a tactic. Witness to them. Not only will you avoid nasty arguements, you will leave them with lasting memory of what the "fullness of faith" means without having to go into a long discussion.

The Catholic Church does not suffer from a lack of truth, it suffers from a lack of people who can witness the truth with there own lives

 

[Veritas]

The Catholic Church does not suffer from a lack of truth, it suffers from a lack of people who can witness the truth with there own lives

Chesterton?

 

[Veritas]

BTW, to come over with "several couples" suggests to me that they believe there is strength in numbers. Why the overkill? It would seem that just one couple would suffice.

 

[xenia]

If I may offer a little advice. Don't focus on apologetics. Focus on how you have changed since coming to know the Catholic Church and what it teaches.

Excellent advice. I had my own little "Intervention" episode a few years ago when my former pastor came over. I simply told him that I was miserable at his church and that his heterodox teachings had almost made an agnostic out of me. I told him my marriage was not doing well and that I had been on antidepressants. BUT PRAISE GOD, I jubilated, GOD RESCUED ME and by His grace I am the happy, faith-filled un-medicated person you see before you this day! Whoo hoo!

The pastor was pretty much speechless.

Believe it or not, he ended up apologizing for my miserable experience at his church and said he sort of understood why I left. He also said that he didn't believe Eastern Orthodoxy "was a system that could lead to salvation" but I pretended I didn't hear him.

So bounce around on the couch and tell these peeps how wretched you were as Protestants and how happy you are now as Catholics! Tell them you are closer to God, the Bible is more meaningful, the birds sing sweeter, the food tastes better, the colors are brighter.... Your joy will be impossible to refute.

Trust me on this.

 

[Michelina]

The Catholic Church does not suffer from a lack of truth, it suffers from a lack of people who can witness the truth with there own lives

Chesterton?

Sure sounds like GKC, Veri. But it also sounds like St. Josemaria.

BTW, to come over with "several couples" suggests to me that they believe there is strength in numbers. Why the overkill? It would seem that just one couple would suffice.

Frankly, I think that's a "set-up", whether deliberate or not. I hope Isaiah will somehow limit the group. I personally cannot have a "profound" discussion with too large a group.

The pastor was pretty much speechless .... He also said that he didn't believe Eastern Orthodoxy "was a system that could lead to salvation"....

Isaiah should be ready for that subtle attack, i.e. that Catholicism or Orthodoxy is a man-made, false 'system'. The historical claims of Orth-Cath theology, going back to Jesus and the commission given to Peter individually and the apostles as a group, are a fundamental element of the divergence of views.

Exchanging verses is also a dangerous trap. A "Battle of the Verses" might well lead nowhere. If Isaiah and wife take this as an evangelical opportunity, as NYJ and others have mentioned, it won't fall into the trap of a defensive apologia. (which brings to mind reading Cardinal Newman as a preparatory resource)

We'll be praying for you.

 

[ps139]

Isaiah, let us know when it is we should all pray for you and your wife at the same time!!!!

 

[thereselittleflower]

Isaiah . .

How did it go?


Peace in Him!

 

[Spotty]

I don't see anything wrong with a church sitting down to talk to people who have long been active in their congregation to discuss why they are leaving and what would make them stay. I wish more churches, of all persuasions would do this. Most of the time churches act like they are thinking, "so leave already."

When I left the catholic church, they held a special mass and sent two married couples to tell me how I was dooming my soul to leave because I was rejecting the one true church. How is that any different than what these folks are doing??

There is a slight difference. When Protestants like this come and witness to those who are becoming Catholic, it's never because they want them to stay in a particular singluar church that the convert is leaving - the Protestants don't want them to join Church B. The dispute is not what they are leaving but where they are going.

However, when Catholics witness to those who may leave the Catholic Church, they are concerned not where they are going, but what they are leaving.

Christ didn't leave us just with a Faith - He left us a Church, which is more than just "believing in Christ."