Thursday, October 11
A few weeks ago I asked all the readers of my blog that come from a Catholic background to participate in a survey. Our teaching team was trying to understand the unique challenges a person with a Roman Catholic background has visiting a Protestant Church, particularly the church I serve. Thanks to all of you who participated! We will offer a three-part sermon series on what we discovered in the spring, but I wanted to share with you some initial results we discovered through the survey. Special thanks to CCV'er Mary Archey for tallying the results!
How did you hear about CCV?
1. Invitation to church
2. Flyers/mailings
3. Kid’s Camp
4. Signs
5. See church from 422
Describe your first visit. What were your initial thoughts and feelings?
Positive: Liked sermon, Loved it / Felt at home immediately, Liked Music, Friendly people, Liked children’s program Negative: Music too loud, non-traditional format
What made you come back?
1. Sermon
2. Children’s program
3. Music
4. Friendly people
5. Felt at home
Why do Catholics have a hard time visiting and/or returning for a second visit?
1. Lack of ritual
2. Going against RC is going against God – afraid to sin
3. Guilt
4. Casual environment/building
What can we do to address the issues/concerns in the previous question?
1. Don’t try to become more Catholic
2. Have a class for Catholics
3. Explain Catholic church teachings vs. Bible teachings
4. Explain format of CCV
5. Don’t criticize the RCC
Are there any special concerns Catholics have regarding their children attending CCV, and how can we address them?
1. Children will not receive the sacraments, especially baptism.
2. Does CCV have a plan for teaching kids as they grow like CCD? If there’s no 1st communion, when can they get communion?
What is the single greatest fear Catholics have about leaving the Catholic church?
1. Loss of salvation / hell
2. Disapproval/disappointment of family/friends
3. Guilt, fear of sinning
4. Leaving the “majority” faith, isolation, you can go to any RCC church anywhere in the world and they're all the same
5. Loss of sacraments
Results From Catholic Survey
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10 comments:
Why are you trying to get Catholics to come to your church? I'd say leave them alone, unless you believe they're in danger of going to hell. Then, buy all means develop a "teaching team" that can deprogram them and give them a straw-man version of Catholicism based on prejudice.
Well, General, I guess that's one approach...
However, I think the one we'll take is try to help everyone here understand how we can better love and serve those from a Catholic background who haven't been to mass in years.
Brian,
Thanks for doing this survey and posting the results. Even people who are not at CCV can really benefit from this information.
Thanks!
Yes that is what happens to 95 percent of Catholics they don't go to the Catholic church or any where else for that matter. That is what I did for years but the hand of the Lord was on my life and through "circumstances" I came to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Most of the Catholic religion is man made rules with the mistaken idea of working your way into heaven. When I was attending the Catholic Church they taught that no one could be sure of immediately going to heaven upon leaving this earth. I pray for my Catholic relatives everyday both the practicing and the non practicing. Even if you open one person eyes to the truth it will be worth it. God Bless
When you phrase things like "Catholic [C]hurch teachings vs. Bible teachings"- or you repeatedly use the word "guilt" and associate it with the Catholic Church - you give the strong impression that your intentions are not merely to "help" "understanding" "love" and "serve" those Catholics who haven't been to Mass in years. Rather, it appears more like you're trying to capitalize on Catholics who either weren't catechized properly, had a bad experience growing up, or are looking for a more pop-culture sentimental spirituality that fits their tastes.
Why not just do some research on good Catholic Churches that have a vibrant parish life and send them there?
Brian-
Your survey results are not bad. The job should be done by the Catholic Church but thank you for evangelizing to these lost souls. In your survey this question interested me a great deal.
What can we do to address the issues/concerns in the previous question?
1. Don’t try to become more Catholic This is an interesting comment, I would guess that it is believed that there is no salvation in the Catholic Church.
3. Explain Catholic church teachings vs. Bible teachings
This one especially interesting to me again implying that what the Catholic Church teaches is not what is taught in the Bible. You are talking about the Church of Christ, the only Christian Church for about 1700 years. The Church who by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote the Bible and which remain unchanged for about 1700 years.
I wonder what Catholic Church teachings you will explain? That we believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth? That we believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord? That He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary?
That He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried?
That He descended to the dead and on the third day he rose again?
He ascended into heaven; He is seated at the right hand of the Father?
He will come again to judge the living and the dead? That we believe in the Holy Spirit,?
We believe in one holy catholic (universal) church?
The communion of saints?
The forgiveness of sins?
The resurrection of the body?
And the life everlasting?
4. Explain format (teachings) of CCV (vs. Bible teachings) Let’s be consistent.
5. Don’t criticize the RCC Amen! Many of the fallen away Catholics did not know what they had in the Church, the Church should have done a better job of teaching but the person also has the responsibility to learn and develop that relationship with Jesus. I do not mean to pick on the comment by “anonymous” on your site but he is a good example. The Church does not teach you are saved by your works.
One last thought add to your useful links www.EWTN.com the Eternal Word Television Network, http://www.holyspiritradio.org/index.html Holy Spirit Radio WISP 1570 AM Doylestown, PA and http://www.usccb.org the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to the links on your web site. These links would be useful for both the fallen away Catholics and your team for ministering.
May the Lord continue to bless you, your family and your ministry. gene
Gene,
Thanks for making those points. Just want to make sure that everyone understands that the survey represents both Catholics who don't attend CCV, the church I serve, as well as current CCV members with a Catholic background. The survey doesn't represent my thoughts at all. Just the summary of the unedited responses.
Also, I would never say that Catholics are going to hell. Tennessee Volunteer fans and those who like country music, most definitely, but not Catholics.
There are key issues of doctrine, however, where we differ (church tradition equal in authority to that of scripture, etc.). So therein lies my task...simply to teach scripture and help people connect with God the best way I know how.
Thanks!
Brian,
What a great answer to Gene's questions. You must be inspired by someone.
Brian,
You now, like your team are #1 in my heart. So what do you have to say about a Catholic, Volunteer who like country music?
Is the Church the the pillar and bulwark of truth?
You are da' Man!
gene
Hi Brian, I came across your blog by accident, I have delighted in reading your thoughts. I just wanted to comment about your concerns, and understanding of Catholics. It took me many years to understand what it was about the Chatholic religion that was so hard to let go of having been raised in the Catholic traditon. The last word is, "traditions," everything assocaited with the Catholic religion is wrapped around tradition, from my perspective. People in general like to be associated to traditions it is the one thing that defines us, and creates memories. It is also an association of a passing of age/time in a persons life into another personal spirtual awaking. It is not until we enter our later years of life that those who have multidemensional thinking, and put all the pieces together of life lessons can find the greater joy of life in just living. Sheila
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