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Darryl
Member
| Joined: | Sat Jul 26th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 41 |
| First Name: | Darryl | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | United Church of Canada, Alliance, Independant Charismatic, Pentecostal |
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Posted: Wed Jul 30th, 2008 07:29 am |
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Hello all,
Maybe you can offer me some insight. Since I was 12 years old I have felt God's distinct call to go into ministry as a pastor. I have impacted many mens lives in the inner city.(I work as a Chaplain and a Pastor - 2 years full time) They have grown in God, and are becoming responsible citizens, living clean and sober lives. I am an Associate Pastor, and since our small church began 2 years ago, we are now seeing an average attendance of 60 people on Sunday. Our church has 'baptized' over 30 people in our 2 year existence. I support my senior pastor unwaveringly, and we have strong unity in our leadership.
I am struggling tonight, because it seems like God is directing me in this ministry direction, but I am now facing the truths of Catholicism. I have gone down a different road in ministry than most. I became a dad at 18 and my wife was 16. I recommitted my life to God at 19 in a crisis of faith. Having a family, I could not go to Bible College full time. I eventually began to do Bible College by correspondence. I have done almost 2 years worth of the 3 year pastoral program. When I was hired I was up against 3 others who had Masters degrees, and more ministry experience than I had. Those hiring me, said they hired me for my heart. Because of my heart for the inner city and the men they chose me for my current ministry position. I love the men I work with. They are a second family to me.
If I go to the Catholic church, I would have to go back to school for years, to do the same thing I am doing now in ministry. It seems that most of the weight for qualification to ministry is academic in the RC church. In my background of faith, academics as well as ministy experience matters. Trying to go to seminary with a wife and 7 children is not happening unless God drops a scholarship on my lawn. I am also thinking that they might not accept me into school as I am wondering how liberal my local college is. I actually believe and practice the Catholic Churches teaching on birth control. Actually we don't use NFP.
I am also struggling with something that most every protestant says to me. 'What about their fruit'. All I can say is, "yeah good point'. I have been to mass, and I like it, and am drawn there, but it seems like you are alone there. (Some have spoken to us, and I have been befriended by a man who I ask questions of now.) As a pastor, I go through the congregation, and make sure that all new people are greeted with a warm smile, a handshake, and hope they leave our fellowship feeling like they have found a new family. In regards to my own faith, I am wondering if I will snuff out my life by being in the fellowship of the RCC. I need to be around others who are passionate for Christ. Most of the people I have worked with before I went into ministry seemed no different for their faith. I tried to win many of them for Christ. I have people telling me that as a Catholic, I can do whatever I want. Many who are on my leadership council are ex-catholics who have either been hurt by the church, or found it 'dead'.
Yesterday I was looking at the blessed sacrament online, and felt comforted. I also spent a couple hours studying, including the catechism. I was reading on marriage, thank you Catholics for your stands. I am wondering if I should just be a close friend to the Catholics. I know God loves me, and I talk to him all day. I can't believe all the onfire for Christ men in my program could go to hell because they have committed mortal sin but have not gone for reconcilliation.
Plese understand the intent of my post. I have a love in my heart for the Catholic Church. I think Pope Benedict is doing a great job. I will work to encourage all Catholics to continue in their faith, and love God with passion. However, I need to know, if God wants me to stay where I am because I am most effective for his kingdom in my current position. God Bless you.
Darryl.
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David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2410 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jul 30th, 2008 01:10 pm |
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I think, Darryl, that you will be able to work through these issues best directly with the office staff, as I suggested earlier. This is what they do. They work with clergymen like yourself, work through the issues of career, money, family, etc. far more than we do on the forum, which is primarily for laymen. I do believe that there are solutions for you and your family; just give them a chance to be known.
David
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kersca
Member
| Joined: | Fri May 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 136 |
| First Name: | Adam | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lutheran-Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jul 30th, 2008 01:17 pm |
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Darryl,
No doubt, there would be a major sacrifice if you came to the RCC. One question that you should consider is whether you would be joining to serve the Church or joining to be served. It is true that the question of "fruit" is a relevant one here in the United States today. We all see some really lost Catholics. Howevwer, if you came over you could be a tool for change in the hands of God. Through our love for the Curch and persuit of holiness God can use us for his purposes. Here is the thing, go to a bunch of Catholic Churches in the area. Look for the Church with all those things you are looking for... Consistent teaching... people who persue holiness... bold priests... etc... I bet you find exactly thr type of parish you are looking for. In the Detroit area there are a few parishes that really stand out. Usually they are very involved in the pro life movement. They have daily mass, adoration, etc... People who want the catholic Church flock to these parishes.
You will see other parishes as well. Some oparishes won't have reconciliation times posted in the bulletin. People will be acting irreverently in the sanctuary. Now, when you see these parishes don'tt stand in judgement. Pray for them an dptray for their priest. Be kind and friendly. Be light instead of cursing the darkness. You know what i mean?
As for your chosen profession... That is tough-especially with a family. You need to pray alot on this. God might not make the path easy for you, but he will not abandon you as you travel along it.
God Bless,
Adam
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Darryl
Member
| Joined: | Sat Jul 26th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 41 |
| First Name: | Darryl | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | United Church of Canada, Alliance, Independant Charismatic, Pentecostal |
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Posted: Wed Jul 30th, 2008 07:04 pm |
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| Thanks for the replies. I have contacted the office staff regarding this dilema. I will keep praying for God's will.
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TerminalNewEnglander
Member
| Joined: | Mon Jan 1st, 2007 |
| Location: | Rhode Island USA |
| Posts: | 104 |
| First Name: | Bill | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic; Lapsed Catholic; quasi-UCC; Reverted Catholic. |
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Posted: Wed Jul 30th, 2008 09:00 pm |
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Darryl,
I have a sense that things will work out just fine for you.
Bill
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mrsbmoo
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 344 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Methodist. RCA, Presbyterian, Holiness, Wesleyan... Catholic as of June ... |
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Posted: Wed Jul 30th, 2008 09:44 pm |
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I am sure the God who made the entire world can arrange things such that you can support your family and still serve him in ministry. I have 5 kids myself and right now a friend of the family is staying with us too. That means my husband's bottom level supervisor job is supporting 8 people, 6 of them adult size. I understand this is not something you can do on a 20 hour a week student job.
I know even if you are a student there are still jobs like parish associate(the person who runs the day to day stuff in the parish when you have a shared priest) or something in a local ministry. Where I live there are several ecumenical ministries to serve the nutrition and medical care needs of the poor, they generally have paid administrators.
As to parishes being unfriendly or dead, it totally depends on the parish. My parish is more friendly than my previous evangelical one. We have many opportunities for ministry including the ESL classes I teach in, Kids ministries like VBS and kid's liturgy, meals for new mothers, care packages for soldiers, partnering with other area churches at a local feeding program and free medical clinic. We have adoration from 10am to 7pm every Wednesday and a Divine Mercy cenacle once a month. There are about 5 adult sunday school classes and we had a very successful lenten meal series where we ate food from impovershed areas of the world and learned how we could help. I am part of the Benedictine Oblate group at my church but I know others who are 3rd order Franciscans or Carmelites. So while the mass is as satifying wherever you go since it is all about worship, parishes can vary. Find one you feel at home with.
Even though it may look overwhelming now, it is possible, one step at a time.
____________________
Becky
Wife of Michael(called Moo) and stay at home mom to 5 daughters between 13 months and 17
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