Ex-Catholics having a heck of a time finding a new Church

[winifred]

--------------------------------
'That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you,
that ye also may have fellowship with us:
and truly our fellowship is with the Father,
and with his Son Jesus Christ.'
(1 John 1:3)

Hi Marco,

It is a joy to hear that you and your wife have studied the Word of God and have used that Word as the arbitur in regard to doctrine and worship.

Through faith in the all-sufficient sacrifice of God's beloved Son, you have been brought into fellowship with the Father and the Son by means of the Holy Spirit, praise God, Whose new nature indwells you. That fellowship is the most important thing, and anything that would mar that fellowship, either from the pulpit or in form of worship cannot be right.

We also worship 'in spirit and in truth' (John 4:23,24) and our worship is inward, it is a communion which is from the heart. 'Making melody in our heart to the Lord'. This communion is shared with others through the love of the Spirit which comes from above.

If you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, and you have the Word of God as your guide. Then all you are looking for is a social outlet, and a means of sharing the Lord Jesus Christ with others - and where that is concerned - the Lord with provide.

Trust Him.

With love in Christ Jesus
our risen and glorified
Saviour, Lord and Head.

Winnie

(Eph.1 :1-7)

---------------------------


* In fact if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ you are already members of a 'Church' - see Ephesians 1:22,23

'And hath put all things under His feet,
and gave Him to be the Head
over all things to the church,
Which is His body,
the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.'
(Eph.1:22,23)

PRAISE GOD!

Winnie

 

[Aibrean]

Technically, "the" church, not "a" church.

 

[winifred]

Technically, "the" church, not "a" church.

Quite right Aibrean! The Church. Having no denomination and no Head but Christ Himself!

PRAISE GOD!

In Christ Jesus
Winnie

 

[artybloke]

Like I said, fundamentalists seem to be the worst offenders when it comes to adding extra stuff outside the Bible. Biblical literalism, sola scriptura being just two of them. Not to mention such nonsense as Calvinism and dispensationalism. (not neccessarily held at the same time...)

 

[Albion]

Like I said, fundamentalists seem to be the worst offenders when it comes to adding extra stuff outside the Bible. Biblical literalism, sola scriptura being just two of them. Not to mention such nonsense as Calvinism and dispensationalism. (not neccessarily held at the same time...)

Talk about running a bunch of unrelated ideas together....

 

[Aibrean]

Like I said, fundamentalists seem to be the worst offenders when it comes to adding extra stuff outside the Bible. Biblical literalism, sola scriptura being just two of them. Not to mention such nonsense as Calvinism and dispensationalism. (not neccessarily held at the same time...)

How is "scripture alone" outside of the Bible?

 

[artybloke]

How is "scripture alone" outside of the Bible?

Well, for a start, the Bible doesn't teach it.

 

[Albion]

Well, for a start, the Bible doesn't teach it.

Scripture doesn't teach what Scripture teaches. Hmm.

I'll have to think on that one at greater length...right after I finish my reading of Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-four.

 

[DennisTate]

I highly recommend doing a search for the writings of Pastor Rick Joyner. The Hordes of Hell Are Marching will get you into the beginning of a visionary dream that he had back in 1995 that will help you to better understand and connect to Charismatic or Evangelical Christians!

 

[Gnarwhal]

I highly recommend doing a search for the writings of Pastor Rick Joyner. The Hordes of Hell Are Marching will get you into the beginning of a visionary dream that he had back in 1995 that will help you to better understand and connect to Charismatic or Evangelical Christians!

Charismania yeah, evangelicalism... Not so much. If Joyner represents evangelicalism then I need to convert out of it.

 

[DennisTate]

Charismania yeah, evangelicalism... Not so much. If Joyner represents evangelicalism then I need to convert out of it.

I don't blame you for thinking that but he actually was shown some of the most socially responsible material I have ever read from a Christian author!


The Hordes of Hell are Marching

I looked at the thrones. I looked at those who were now seated. I could recognize some of the great heroes of the faith, but most of those seated I knew had not even been well known on earth. Many I knew had been missionaries who had expended their lives in obscurity. They had never cared to be remember on earth, but only to Him. I was a bit surprised to see some who had been wealthy, or rulers who had been faithful with what they had been given. However, it seemed that faithful, praying women and mothers occupied more thrones than any other single group.

 

[asiyreh]

Anyone who has ever thought that something smells a little funny (not funny haha) with the RCC should definitely watch this video.

205B - The Man Behind The Mask / Total Onslaught - Walter Veith - YouTube

This video is number 5 of a 36 part series entitled Total Onslaught, and it will put the hairs up on the back of your neck! Oh yes!

 

[Fantine]

I was gong to suggest the Methodist Church, too. Methodists do a remarkable amount of good in our community, and they are somewhat conservative in their approach to the Bible and their social positions.

They do have some female ministers.

 

[Albion]

I was going to suggest the Methodist Church, too. Methodists do a remarkable amount of good in our community, and they are somewhat conservative in their approach to the Bible and their social positions.

They do have some female ministers.

Yes, however the United Methodist Church is probably the most active of all church bodies in promoting "abortion rights." Because the OP says that this couple are "staunchly" pro-life, I have doubts about this being the answer.

 

[snowpumpkin]

Yes, however the United Methodist Church is probably the most active of all church bodies in promoting "abortion rights." Because the OP says that this couple are "staunchly" pro-life, I have doubts about this being the answer.

It is?? Can I read about that somewhere?

 

[prodigal brother]

Hello

My wife and I are cradle Catholics who have been unhappy for a long time in the Catholic Church. We are not some uninformed Catholics making a rash decision but a couple who have studied and researched the Catholic Church for over 25 years. We clearly understand Catholic teaching and tradition but find it in conflict to the Lord Jesus teachings.

Now that we have left we are having a tough time finding the right fit. We are Bible believing Christians who are staunch Pro-Life advocates and support traditional marriage. That being said, we also disagree with a political philosophy which chooses to condone pre-emptive war, a willingness to allow large numbers of our citizens to go without good healthcare and an " Every person for themselves" mentality.

I guess we are both Conservative and Progressive, Democrat and Republican, Liturgical and Evangelical. Bottom line is we want to love, serve and continue to learn about the Lord. We want to do this while following the words and spirit of the Bible.

Any suggestions on where to find a Church that would be a fit for a couple with our mix of values would be greatly appreciated.

God Bless,

Marco

yes start a home church and institute everything you believe should be in the church, it will be exactly what your looking for..........every other church has its own problems

 

[Fantine]

Should we also consider, perhaps, that although we are members of one Church we can participate in some of the programs of other churches?

I remember attending the funeral of an elderly man who lived twenty miles from his Catholic Church. There was no Catholic Church in his town. A Protestant group, caroling, met him, discovered he was homebound and lived far from his home church. They visited him as well, occasionally bringing casseroles and checking in to see what he needed. When he died, the Protestant minister came to the Catholic Mass and gave a eulogy.

I thought that was so touching--and such an example of how churches should be. I would hope that if Catholics met a Protestant homebound person in similar circumstances they would do the same.

But in my life as a Catholic, I have sometimes gained wisdom from programs in Protestant churches, like Celebrate Recovery, for example, a healing ministry based on the twelve steps and the Beatitudes. Yes, the spirituality was not exactly the same, but it was good for me because: 1) many people have no full-fledged addictions but lots of minor hangups--most of which center around the need for control, and most of which are solved by surrender. 2) there is a great emphasis on forgiveness, healing, journaling, self-disclosure and other things which are vital to the spiritual journey and sometimes get short shrift from the emphasis on "religion."

 

[Albion]

It is?? Can I read about that somewhere?

Absolutely.

 

[snowpumpkin]

Absolutely.

Please excuse this side topic... I did look it up and read about it. I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it. I am very much pro-life, but I'm also realistic. Trying to fit all of humanity into one mold, which is what much of religion does, is just not realistic. Although, I am pro-life, I do find the Methodist view of it to be the most realistic take on the issue. They do not take it lightly at all, but they still realize that it may and does happen in this world; and they make clear distinctions on what is not acceptable and what should be taken with compassion and consideration for individual situations.

 

[steve_bakr]

As a Catholic, am I allowed to post here?

Thanks.