The Pastor's Office is open...

[Father Rick]

Hey Everybody!

Just wanted to let you know that CF's new Omega Team (pastoral) is in place. We now have a group of recognized clergy from a variety of denominational backgrounds available if you have a situation/question that you think would best be handled by a pastor.

You can ask questions in this thread... or if it is something of a personal nature, you can pm as well.

We're going to have the men handle male issues and women handle female issues-- so if you're a lady, I'll be happy to forward questions/concerns over to one of our lady team members.

Blessings!

 

[AnnieBanannie]

I want to get all your opinions about the two sides, those who believe we no longer need to follow the law, and those who believe we still should... What do you guys think? Should torah be followed?

Personally I believe we should follow the law, nonetheless I believe the way we now view and act towards the law is different from ancient times, for even Yeshua said that he came not to ABOLISH the law but to FULFILL IT... For example, things like the sin offering, the burnt offering and the peace offering (Leviticus 1,2 3) are no longer needed because Yeshua fullfilled them.. what about the rest?..

shalom shalom!

 

[talitha]

Father Rick, I clicked on your little Omega thingie, and I only see two people on the Omega team - who's there besides you two?

blessings
tal

 

[Father Rick]

P_G is the site chaplain, and oversees Omega.

Me.. (obviously)

Imaniingod

Abiel was on Omega-- but has taken a sabbatical for a couple of weeks.

We are actively looking for other good candidates for Omega as well, but there are few who are both a) staff and b) ordained ministers.

 

[talitha]

riverpastor?

 

[Father Rick]

I don't believe he is on staff...

 

[talitha]

how difficult a matter is it to recruit a staff member?

 

[Father Rick]

It's not that difficult, providing that the person meets the requirements... you can find the info here:
http://www.christianforums.com/newthread.php?do=modapply

All new staff go through a training period, since there are a lot of functions (handling reports, etc.) that need to be learned. As Omega, I'm no longer involved with the reports/discipline end of staff-- but I'm pretty sure that they will want anyone on Omega to at least know how that works-- so that when dealing with someone, you at least know what you're dealing with.

Personally, I think Jay (Riverpastor) would probably be a good choice for Omega (or staff in general for that matter)-- I'm not sure if he would be interested/has the time.

 

[GodSoLovedTheWorld]

Wow! A real live Catholic priest?
I've never been this close to one before.
(OK, I'm only fooling around).
So I do actually have a question (just a thought - is it OK for a Christian to ask questions here?).
Anyway. Despite having lots of problems with some RCC beliefs, I just can't seem to stop thinking about Catholicism. It just won't seem to let go of me, or me let go of it.
The problem is that I have some health issues (part-time depressive, past suicide attempts - that sort of thing) and I don't know how the RCC would 'cope with me'. I'm not unruly or anything like that, apart from occasional anger/self-harm problems. But I suppose some people would be wary of me. This could be a problem with an RCIA sponsor, could it not?
I can't really explain it. I just feel like God is calling me to the RCC and maybe I'm trying to fight the inevitable.
I think I know, deep down, that I will lose the battle. It's just a matter of time.
Anyway Father, any comments would be most appreciated.

 

[GrannieAnnie]

Hey Everybody!

Just wanted to let you know that CF's new Omega Team (pastoral) is in place. We now have a group of recognized clergy from a variety of denominational backgrounds available if you have a situation/question that you think would best be handled by a pastor.

You can ask questions in this thread... or if it is something of a personal nature, you can pm as well.

We're going to have the men handle male issues and women handle female issues-- so if you're a lady, I'll be happy to forward questions/concerns over to one of our lady team members.

Blessings!

Please tell me what is an...Old Catholic Priest....do you belong to the Roman Catholic Church ?

Annie

 

[Father Rick]

Wow! A real live Catholic priest?
I've never been this close to one before.
(OK, I'm only fooling around).
So I do actually have a question (just a thought - is it OK for a Christian to ask questions here?).
Anyway. Despite having lots of problems with some RCC beliefs, I just can't seem to stop thinking about Catholicism. It just won't seem to let go of me, or me let go of it.
The problem is that I have some health issues (part-time depressive, past suicide attempts - that sort of thing) and I don't know how the RCC would 'cope with me'. I'm not unruly or anything like that, apart from occasional anger/self-harm problems. But I suppose some people would be wary of me. This could be a problem with an RCIA sponsor, could it not?
I can't really explain it. I just feel like God is calling me to the RCC and maybe I'm trying to fight the inevitable.
I think I know, deep down, that I will lose the battle. It's just a matter of time.
Anyway Father, any comments would be most appreciated.

Sorry about the delay responding. I was at a conference for the past week-- but for some reason this didn't show up on my faves before that. (Or maybe it showed up and I just missed it).

First, let me say that I'm actually Old Catholic, not Roman Catholic. I'll go into that more in answering the next person's question.

Know this--you don't have to have it all together to come to God. And you certainly don't have to have it all together to come to the RCC. We are all sinners. We all have problems. We are all human with everything that means. God's love and grace is towards you in spite of, not because of, yourself. Remember, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

One thing that many people who aren't Catholic don't understand is the sacrament of reconciliation (confession). Some mistakenly think that Catholics have an attitude of "do anything you want as long as you go to confession it's ok". And while there may be those who mistakenly do have that attitude, correct teaching on the matter is that one should seek to avoid sin, but because God knows just how human/frail/sinful we are, God has provided a means of grace and forgiveness when we do sin. It's called the "reconciliation" for a reason. The emphasis isn't on the confession (although that is part of it), but the emphasis is on be reconciled to God through the grace of Christ Jesus.

Blessings!

 

[Father Rick]

Please tell me what is an...Old Catholic Priest....do you belong to the Roman Catholic Church ?

Annie

I'm Old Catholic, not Roman Catholic.

Old Catholics separated from Rome at Vatican I (1871) over the issue of Papal Infallibity. We are virtually identical in form (liturgy, etc), although we do vary slightly in theology.

Old Catholics and Roman Catholics each recognize the catholicity of the other, with OC's and RC's able to receive sacraments from the other as needed. (For RC's, this is covered in RC Canon 844). The easiest way to describe the relationship between RC's and OC's is that it is basically the same relationship as between the RCC and the EO's.

More info can be found in this thread.

 

[lostsheepwithoutashepard]

i heard if you blasphimis the holy spirt you can not acheve salvation. if this is true im doomedto hell, at least if you believe in that sorta thing

 

[Father Rick]

i heard if you blasphimis the holy spirt you can not acheve salvation. if this is true im doomedto hell, at least if you believe in that sorta thing

Hi Lostsheep!

The question you are asking is actually a very common one... and one that is based in a huge misunderstanding.

While it is true that the Bible says that the only unforgiveable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, most have absolutely no idea what such blasphemy is.

First, let me ease your mind by saying this: If you're worried about whether or not you've blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, then you haven't. The very fact that you are concerned is proof that it is something you haven't done. Scripture says that those who have done such have their conscience "seared with a hot iron", in other words, they will no longer have the ability to be concerned.

In the New Testament, Paul explains what it means to blaspheme the Holy Spirit. He clearly says it is those who have a) accepted Christ as their savior, b) been filled with the Holy Spirit and operated in the power of the Holy Spirit, c) been mature in their walk with Christ and then d) even fully knowing the truth of the Scriptures, and the power/presence of the Holy Spirit in their life willfully choose to renounce their salvation and turn their back on God (not just struggle or fall into an area of sin, but make a conscience choice to never serve God again).


I can assure you, you haven't done this. As I said at the beginning, the very fact that you show concern about it is proof that you haven't.

 

[Abiel]

Any hot chocolate in this office?

 

[Father Rick]

Any hot chocolate in this office?

One hot chocolate coming right up!

Do you like whipped cream and cinnamon or marshmallows on top?

 

[Abiel]

Whipped cream and a chocolate flake to dip please!

 

[Father Rick]

Here you go!

 

[Resolved]

Father Rick (or whoever else),

I don't know if this is the right place to post this question or not, but I was wondering what does it mean when you feel like God is a million miles away? Why does God do that? What is He trying to achieve?

Thanks.

 

[Bork]

Have you ever witnessed a miracle?

What are your views on scientists that become theologians? Alister Mcgrath, Polkinghorne, etc.

Hmm, and something that only a priest might be able to answer... do you doubt your faith sometimes? What do you do when your faith is shaken?