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Roaming Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Fri Feb 1st, 2008 |
| Location: | St. Catharines, Ontario Canada |
| Posts: | 25 |
| First Name: | Tim | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised RC, Pentecostal, Baptist, Mennonite, Anglican, Evangelical-Missionary |
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Posted: Mon Feb 4th, 2008 05:00 am |
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Hi everyone,
I'm new to the forum. I'm hoping to be able to connect with people here who can understand what seems like a crazy journey I'm on. I was raised RC, but left the Church in second year university and have been in evangelical circles since and spent 2 years in seminary . Strangely enough, the time at seminary really opened my heart to the depth of spirituality in the Catholic church (something I've found sorely lacking in the evangelical churches I've been in).
Over the last year I've been investigating Catholic teachings on their own terms and feel more & more drawn to the Church. In some ways this feels rather disorienting since this isn't something I ever would have imagined. Although I'm still struggling with some Catholic distinctives, as time goes by I feel like its getting more likely that I may actually be returning to the Church.
However, there are two things I'm struggling with in the process. I'm at that strange place where I can't in good conscience be protestant any more, but I'm also not ready to be Catholic yet. As a result I recently stopped going to church completely and it feels weird not to worship on a Sunday morning. The other thing that goes with that is that I feel like no one understands me. My evangelical friends & family don't understand why I'm even thinking so much about the Catholic Church and beliefs. On the other hand, Catholics I encounter are cradle Catholics who speak Catholic lingo, only know how to think like Catholics, and don't really get where I'm coming from and why I have a hard time accepting some Catholic distinctives right now. I keep wishing there were others in my area who have been on the same journey and can relate to what I'm working through. Sometimes Catholic apologetics via the printed page, the web, or audio talks just aren't enough because you need to hash out an idea and talk it through with someone. Any suggestions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
Tim
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David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2427 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Feb 4th, 2008 05:20 am |
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I'm at that strange place where I can't in good conscience be protestant any more, but I'm also not ready to be Catholic yet. As a result I recently stopped going to church completely and it feels weird not to worship on a Sunday morning. The other thing that goes with that is that I feel like no one understands me.
You will find people here that do understand you, Tim. Been there, done that. Pull up a chair and sit a spell. Dialogue is what we do here, just letting you hash it out at your own pace.
David
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Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1446 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Feb 4th, 2008 05:39 am |
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Hello, Tim. Welcome to the CHNI Forum.
You have certainly come to the right place. This forum offers exactly what you are looking for, Tim.
Perhaps it will help you a bit just to accept that you are going to have a period of challenge and difficulty when neither camp feels like home. I don't know what limitations are on your time. If you can do it, I would suggest attending at both Catholic and Protestant services until you are ready to embrace the Catholic faith. You could attend the Saturday Vigil service at a Catholic church and then a Sunday morning service at your church. Or, if the logistics can be arranged, you could attend a Sunday Mass at one hour and a Protestant service at a different hour on Sunday morning.
If it is possible, try to attend Daily Mass sometimes as well. I found tremendous strength in attending Mass every day while moving through the uncomfortable stage you describe of not really feeling at home anywhere.
The other members here will come to your side to support and encourage. There are lots of folks on this forum who have walked where you are now walking. We do understand.
So glad you have joined us, Tim.
BeckyLast edited on Mon Feb 4th, 2008 06:05 am by Intercessor
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Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials. . .the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life. . . NAB James 1:2-4,12
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Zosan
Member
| Joined: | Mon Dec 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Biloxi, Mississippi USA |
| Posts: | 84 |
| First Name: | Norm | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Roman Catholic - Worldwide Church of God - Assemblies of ... |
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Posted: Mon Feb 4th, 2008 06:09 am |
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Welcome to the Forum Tim,
I left my Catholic faith when I was 18. I struggled with confession and the ability to experience real repentance and change. This decision took me on a jouney through various protestant denominations until I was 49. At times during my jouney I did not fellowship with anyone.
In 1999 a Catholic friend invited me to a bible study program titled Renew 2000. I had absolutely no interest in the Catholic Church, but I did enjoy bible studies. I was very uncomfortable with many aspects of the Catholic Church at the time.
Then I was invited back to mass, but only accepted the invitation when my friend agreed to go with me to my Assemblies of God Church on Sunday evenings. I was sure the weekly bible study, praise and worship service would convince her to leave the Catholic Church with me.
One Sunday morning during Mass the Priest of the Catholic Church woke me up when he mentioned a document titled the Didache. I had no idea what this document was about, but a quick search on the Internet turned up a copy for me. This began my journey back into the Catholic Church.
My jouney home has opened my eyes so much that I am becoming more Catholic each and every day. I could write a book of my experiences from 1999 till present I'm sure.
My advice for you? Be patient. Our Lord will lead you gently along the journey. It will be filled with wonder and awe for sure. A few challenges will more than likely crop up, but, be patient. He is faithful and true to His word. He will never leave or forsake you.
Share your journey with us here on the Forum. There are plenty of people who will relate to anything you encounter. It is a blessing to be in touch with those who have traveled the road less traveled ahead of you.
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ richly bless your jouney home! You will be a part of my life of prayer and sacrifice from this day forward.
In Christ We Are One
Norm
aka Zosan
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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1548 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Feb 4th, 2008 02:59 pm |
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Hi Tim!
Welcome to the forum. There are so many people who are going through the same feelings and situation you are, you just wouldn't believe it! It's so hard to make that cross-over, from evangelical/protestant to catholic. You just need to not be in a hurry and take your time reading and learning. As Intercessor said, attending mass will help greatly, because that is what it's all about. I stopped attending church for awhile too. Now that I look back on it, I had to make a disconnect of sorts. I still prayed, read scripture, and watched some pastors on TV sometimes, especially Sunday mornings. But I gradually watched more and more EWTN than I did evangelical pastors. Then I realized I had to go to mass to really understand and appreciate the fullness of the catholic church. If the area you are in has a choice of parishes, I recommend you visit each one to see how they best fit your needs. Let us know how you are doing, it will encourage us too! God bless
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 2227 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Mon Feb 4th, 2008 07:44 pm |
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Hi Tim,
Welcome (from a guy whose dad was born in Canada and who has practically all Canadian relatives). I'm right on the border in metro Detroit.
Indeed, this is probably the very best place on the Internet for you to be right now. You can share your thoughts and concerns and there will be people -- guaranteed -- who can empathize or at least strongly sympathize. One book I would strongly recommend for you to read at this point is The Catholic Church and Conversion, by G.K. Chesterton. I have linked to the online version.
Also, you might consider our weekly live chat on Wednesdays at 9-11 PM EST. That will give you an opportunity to spontaneously interact with others here, just as if we were all sitting in a nice living room with the fire going . . . . .
Last edited on Mon Feb 4th, 2008 07:46 pm by Dave Armstrong
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2100+ papers & web pages (free) & 17 apologetic books (4 sale: 15 E-Books: $25)
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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Roaming Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Fri Feb 1st, 2008 |
| Location: | St. Catharines, Ontario Canada |
| Posts: | 25 |
| First Name: | Tim | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised RC, Pentecostal, Baptist, Mennonite, Anglican, Evangelical-Missionary |
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Posted: Tue Feb 5th, 2008 05:51 pm |
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Thank you everyone for your encouraging words. I can tell from responses that others do indeed understand what I'm experiencing & working through. I had actually been attending Mass more than my previous evangelical church for the past 6-8 months. In some ways it was very good because we would often sing at least one song that I was used to singing in my evangelical church - so the cross-over was a bit easier. But then felt the the liturgy was becoming rote for me. And as I understood the theology better I had more 'aha' momeents during Mass, while at other times I only felt more conflicted for points of Catholic belief that I still hadn't come to terms with. Nevertheless, I'll still be there for a pre-lent dinner tonight, and tomorrow for Ash Wednesday.
I've also talked with the parish priest, who is a great, but having been Catholic all his life doesn't really understand why I have issues with some things. It seems like it comes down to thinking like a protestant and then trying to accept those Catholic distinctives. That's why I keep wishing for someone who can explain Catholic beliefs who also understands how a protestant evangelical tends to approach things. Recently I've come accross a number of audio talks from Fr. John Riccardo (who grew up in a Methodist-Catholic home and was the priest in the DVD 'Common Ground'). He really presents the Catholic perspective on things well and he talks like a protestant. And watching The Journey Home has been really helpful as well.
Anyway, thanks again for the encouraging words. Its difficult to live in this 'neverland' where things seem so unresolved, so I appreciate the reminders to take my time and let this all happen in God's timing.
Tim
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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 2227 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Tue Feb 5th, 2008 08:37 pm |
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I've been falsely accused more than once (by anti-Catholics) -- along with Scott Hahn in one instance -- of "Protestantizing" the Catholic faith, because I take Vatican II seriously, in its urging Catholics to communicate Catholic teaching in a way that our Protestant brethren can relate to and understand. It's a bum rap. The ones who accuse me of this do not properly understand the Catholic faith. They want to create more divisions between the two camps than there really are.
I've even been wrongly accused of using sola Scriptura as a method to disprove Protestantism. This is an equally absurd charge, because it presupposes that anyone who heavily quotes the Bible must be assuming that Bible Alone is the rule of faith (which amounts to a mentality that only Protestants can sensibly and authoritatively argue from Holy Scripture). That's simply not true. Popes and Church Fathers and Doctors of the Church all cite tons of Scripture.
I know how Protestants think and approach things because I used to be one, and I was an apologist and an evangelist when I was, so the fact that I defended Protestant distinctives made me that much more aware of the rationale for them.
There are many former Protestants here who also understand these things, and also lifelong Catholics who have studied Protestantism and/or interacted with enough of 'em to know these things, too.
You've come to the right place!
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2100+ papers & web pages (free) & 17 apologetic books (4 sale: 15 E-Books: $25)
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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